The industry’s fastest 29-inch press has added another level of versatility to its agenda of profitable advantages. MAN Roland has launched the new ROLAND 500 with InlinePerfector to accommodate two-sided printing in a single pass. With its new perfecting capabilities, which will debut at IPEX 06 in April, the ROLAND 500 takes on a full range of new applications in commercial printing, packaging and book manufacturing, while providing a more profitable way to complete front-and-back jobs.  The new ROLAND 500 with InlinePerfector is the only perfector in its class with a single-drum sheet turning system combined with double-diameter cylinders. That equips it to handle thicker substrates than presses with traditionally sized sheet-reversing gear — up to 24 pt. The advancement also keeps perfecting speeds productive, with a top end of 15,000 double-sided sheets per hour. A Perfect Path InlinePerfector’s fully integrated sheet turning unit provides the flattest sheet travel of any perfecting press. And the center points of the ROLAND 500’s cylinders are virtually in a horizontal line for minimal sheet bending, making it ideal for high press speeds and runs with thicker stock. The overall design of the new perfector also features the lowest number of cylinders and the lowest number of sheet transfer points. That results in minimal mechanical disturbance of the substrate and the highest register accuracy. It also virtually eliminates the possibility of doubling, scratching and smearing. What’s more, thanks to the InlinePerfector’s seven o’clock cylinder geometry, the sheet is fully printed before it is transferred to the next printing unit to reduce the possibility of transfer streaks. Available OptiPrint jackets, which provide textured surfaces for the press’ impression cylinders, further enhance perfecting integrity. Improved Productivity Changeover to and from perfecting is fully automatic and takes less than two minutes. Additional makeready savings are realized because the ROLAND 500 with InlinePerfector has fewer cylinders to clean than last-generation perfectors. Less cylinders also result in the most rigid drive train in this category. That results in more consistent power transmission for superior register and the lowest mechanical wear. Perfecting Possibilities The ROLAND 500 with InlinePerfector is available in nine basic configurations, ranging from a 1/1 two-color model to a 5/5 ten-color perfector. Single and double coating units are also available, as are extended deliveries and a host of fully integrated IR and UV drying systems. The new press line is the only 29-inch perfector available with MAN Roland’s printnet press operating, networking and automation system. That gives every ROLAND 500 with InlinePerfector model the ability to plug into a computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) network for maximum productivity. April Arrival in America The first ROLAND 500 with InlinePerfector in North America will be installed in April in the book manufacturing plant of Worzalla in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The press will offer five printing units for 4/1 perfecting or straight five-color jobs. A UV-capable double-coating unit will add to its single-pass productivity. A Productive Heritage The ROLAND 500 was introduced at Drupa 2000 and made its North American debut at Graph Expo 2002 as a straight printing press, designed to build more versatility into a printer’s pressroom. In its basic configuration, the ROLAND 500 can handle a wide variety of substrates, from thin labeling film to 40 pt. corrugated packaging. Plus, its six-up format, CIM-inspired makereadies, and 18,000 sph class-leading speed equip it to cost-effectively compete against 40-inch presses.