CHICAGO, October 20, 2008-xpedx, North America's largest distributor of printing supplies and equipment, is expanding its drive to provide U.S. print professionals with cost-effective, world-class printing technology.

At Graph Expo 2008 in Chicago, the company showcases the North American debut of the RYOBI 7510P, a fully automated six-up, 10-color, 23"x31" perfector press with UV coating and UV interdeck dryers.  The press is the newest in the high-performance RYOBI 750 series and will be demonstrated in a live production environment.

xpedx will also provide fresh details on Ryobi's new 40-inch offset press, the RYOBI 1050, as well as its energy-saving LED-UV curing system and its new inline UV casting and foiling technology.

Ryobi Ltd. is a leading manufacturer of large, mid-size and small offset presses.   xpedx is the exclusive marketer and distributor of Ryobi presses in the U.S. and, in January 2009, is opening the xpedx Technology Center in Cincinnati, a new print demonstration and sales center showcasing state-of-the-art pre-press, press and post-press equipment.

The new RYOBI 7510P enables printers to do traditional 4 over 4 and 5 over 5 work, plus chemical embossed printing, MetalFX printing, and specialty stock printing-all on the same machine.  It has a fully JDF-compliant workflow for CIP4 production environments.

The 7510 features a three-drum perfecting device with a double-diameter transfer drum for convertible perfecting that allows for virtually mark-free printing at high speeds-and on a wide variety of substrates.  This double-double-single design, combined with Ryobi's UV technology, increases one-pass throughput.

The press is able to double printers' 4- and 5-color productivity, simplify job handling and save floor space.  Maximum speed is 15,000 sheets per hour.

"The combination of consistent print quality and world-class technology is the key advantage of Ryobi presses," says John Torrey, vice president and general manager of xpedx Printing Technologies.  He noted that Ryobi's six-up presses are one-and-a-half times more productive than competitors' four-up presses.

xpedx Printing Technologies representatives during Graph Expo will also discuss the RYOBI 1050 series, a 40-inch press offered in four, five or six colors with initial maximum speeds of 16,000 sheets per hour (sph).  It can feed stock up to 42.72" x 30.71", and is available in two types to handle a printing area of 41.34"x27.95" (S type) or 41.34"x30.31" (XL type).  The company is also planning an 18,000 sph model.

The new series features double-diameter impression and transfer cylinders, has a closed-circuit camera that continuously monitors print quality during the printing process and adjusts ink fountain keys as needed.  Dual operation monitors facilitate easy job setup and greatly increased productivity.  Semiautomatic plate changers are standard and fully automatic plate changers are optional.

The press can handle a wide range of printing jobs using lightweight to heavy stocks. "Skeleton" transfer drums with moveable shells minimize scratching and marking.  Four delivery options are available, aqueous or UV varnish coating can be processed inline and a UV curing unit can be mounted at the delivery end.

Representatives are also discussing the new Ryobi inline UV casting and foiling system and its energy-saving LED-UV print curing system.

Ryobi's LED-UV print curing system provides significant environmental, pressroom and financial advantages.  It is offered on the 14"x20" RYOBI 525GX and the 23"x31" RYOBI 750 series.  The system cuts power usage by a minimum of 70% compared to a conventional UV lamp system, markedly lowering electric power costs.  It also has a lamp life 12 times longer than conventional lamps, eliminates ozone emissions and uses ink with no volatile organic compound (VOC) solvents. Printing with UV curing units also greatly reduces drying times.

The inline UV casting and foiling system is for the RYOBI 750 series of 23"x29" presses.  The system enables inline UV casting as well as foiling and special hologram effects-with very accurate registration.  By adding the UV coating and foiling inline, printers gain valuable new capabilities, boost pressroom productivity and reduce job turnaround times.