Since the launch of the ROLAND 900 series during drupa 1995, this proven technology leader in packaging printing, available in size 5 (890x1260mm) and 6 (1030x1430mm), has undergone a drastic technology upgrade ahead of drupa 2012.

The ROLAND 900 is already known as a highly-automated press for short makeready times with high substrate flexibility, featuring non-stop equipment and AUPASYS logistics to guarantee the high productivity required by packaging printers for long runs. The ROLAND 900 is also valued for other features such as its inline capabilities for product quality enhancement and added value printing using equipment such as the very popular double- coating units.

The new ROLAND 900 also uses the feeder and delivery systems designed for the ROLAND 900, XXL which allow the press to run at the standard rate of 14.000 s/h, which can be upgraded up to 16.000 s/h. The new non-stop-feeder and AUPASYS material logistics option also shortens the make-ready at substrate change. A newly developed Suction Head Suspension ensures minimal movements of the suction head at high speed. The improved Extended Pick-up Suction Stroke guarantees the highest precision for sheet separation of all substrates. The Dynamic Suction Head tracking moves the suction head very fast especially during non-stop-operation while starting the change from rest pile to main pile.

In the printing units, new bearings for impression cylinders and ‘transferters’ that were designed for the higher maximum speed and a new ink duct roller control, with smooth load starting torque, was included in the inking unit for stable ink transfer and low noise level. The ink train separation ‘DualFlow’ is a two-fold ink flow switch mechanism that will simplify the offset process with moisture-sensitive inks such as PMS colours, metallics, opaque white and UV-inks.

Another technology transfer from the ROLAND 900, XXL is in the coating unit where a reinforced Anilox roller (diameter 286.7mm) and reinforced external bearings were included with a large chambered duct blades system. The benefits of this are constant high level coating and extended durability of the bearings. Another option, the Quick Change Clamp consists of two separate clamping systems – one for the use of pre-barred blankets and the second for the use of coating plates. There is only one central locking screw for the front and back edge clamp and a pressure roller helps to make it possible for mounting the coating form to be carried out by one person, halving the time of coating form changeovers. Finally, a switching device for the coating pump station accelerates the changeover of the coating flow with an optimized valve station.

The new delivery also features faster make-readies for substrate change thanks to the robust format 8 technology. The sheet braking device is divided in three suction zones offering stable sheet travel with narrow formats. The new optional non-stop system, Rollomat, sits underneath the sheet brake reducing the drop height and optimizing pile access.

For presses with five or more printing/coating units, there is a new enhanced main drive called dual drive which offers the benefits of smooth running, stable print quality and reduced drive gear wear. The longitudinal shaft (unit 1-4) distributes the drive force evenly over several units when the press accelerates then the hydro brake, an integral component of the last printing unit or coating module, effectively prevents gear backlash when the press is accelerated or slowed down.

Various new performance packages for packaging and commercial printing complete the improvements on the new ROLAND 900. These include:

? Universal printing package for single side printing machines for printing materials from 0.04mm to 1.20mm
? Performance package for printing foils and scratch-sensitive printing materials from 0.10mm to 0.60mm
? Performance package Flute (G+F flute) up to 1.20mm thickness of material
? Performance package heavy cardboard up to 1.60mm thickness of material
? Performance package FULL-UV-printing
? Performance package UV-coating
? Performance package IPA-reduced
? Performance package IPA-free