DRUPA, May 29th 2008 – Goss International announces its latest range of design enhancements to the 4 – 12 page Universal and 8 – 24 page Uniliner press models at drupa 2008. New technology features, aesthetics and services for the press series have been developed to continue the worldwide success of Goss Universal and Uniliner design modularity across the broadest range of applications and markets.

New features available for Uniliner and Universal presses include semi-automatic plate changing, automatic web-width changing, enhanced dampener control and T90 configuration options for more compact and user-friendly press lines. In addition, Sinapse interactive training simulators are now available as an option, enabling crews to quickly learn to operate the presses at maximum efficiency. These latest productivity, print quality and operational enhancements are also reflected in the new ergonomic restyling of both press series.

“We continue to update and enhance these platforms according to the evolving needs of newspaper and semi-commercial printers throughout the world,” explains Eric Normand, senior vice president and general manager of the Goss International facility in Nantes, France where Uniliner and Universal presses are manufactured.

A key example of matching evolving trends is the Goss T90 configuration, where reelstands and printing towers are rotated through 90° on a single floor. “This creates a more compact press that can be operated with a smaller crew,” confirms Normand. “The addition of specially designed Uniflex turner bars at the top of each tower on Uniliner press models also provides a simpler solution to web-width changes and ribbon positioning.”

Complementing the new features are a range of tried-and-tested technologies, such as the optional, award-winning Goss DigiRail system which enhances inker accuracy and consistency by feeding a stream of digitally measured ink pulses onto the ink rail.

Originally designed for application to Universal and Uniliner press models, the Goss DigiRail digital inker is a key contributor towards their flexibility. Having a fully enclosed manifold with a small volume, it not only eliminates ink contamination but also provides fast switching between coldset and heatset inks.

“Versatility and efficiency are increasingly important,” concludes Normand. “The trend towards presses that can print heatset and coldset and can combine both in a single product is easily achieved by both the Universal and the Uniliner.

“These features are all examples of Goss International’s philosophy of working closely with customers, large and small, to find new opportunities for print.”

Goss International shipped close to 500 Uniliner and Universal printing units in 2007.

Single-width Goss Universal presses are available in single circumference (one-page around) configurations, as well as double circumference (two-pages around) configurations that print at up to 80,000 copies per hour. Single- and double-circumference Uniliner models are available in web widths up to 1900 mm (74.8 inches) in triple-wide format (six pages across).