Big Iron Arrives!

[The Counterfeiter]

Our new Hamada B452 printing press was installed today. This thing is amazing - we send jobs directly from computers to plates, which are automatically mounted and the press adjusts ink densities. Result? Instant perfect process color printing.
Since I got to the Avatar to work - I'm going to try to learn how to post photos this weekend - stay tuned for requests for help!

 

[DrRocket]

Love the avatar Jim!!!

 

[Toejam]

Our new Hamada B452 printing press was installed today. This thing is amazing - we send jobs directly from computers to plates, which are automatically mounted and the press adjusts ink densities. Result? Instant perfect process color printing.
Since I got to the Avatar to work - I'm going to try to learn how to post photos this weekend - stay tuned for requests for help!

Why don't you tell us how much that press cost?

 

[The Counterfeiter]

Why don't you tell us how much that press cost?

Joe - you see commercials that tell you your home is the biggest purchase you will ever make - To answer your question - 365 + 65 for the direct to plate system.
REALLY big iron - like a Heidelberg 8 color 40" Speedmaster, can cost over 3 million bucks. We're not going there - I don't want to lie awake at night hoping we have enough business to make a $40,000 monthly payment!
I've always wanted to be a millionaire - I didn't realize it would involve owing a million -

 

[DrRocket]

Jim,

Did you have to make any modifications to your building to accommodate this beast??? A heavier duty base pad or something like that? I imagine it has to be dead level. How about the power system? I'll bet you took a few classes to run the thing too, eh?

 

[willy]

Cool beans, Jim..keep it up Dude!!

 

[The Counterfeiter]

Jim,

Did you have to make any modifications to your building to accommodate this beast??? A heavier duty base pad or something like that? I imagine it has to be dead level. How about the power system? I'll bet you took a few classes to run the thing too, eh?

Building already has a 6" slab - Press has metal channels under "feet" to spread load. Most presses come as separate pieces for each color head which have to be precisely aligned - a pain in the butt! This one has one piece machined side frames - no alignment needed and very easy to level. It does weigh 17,000 pounds! It's amazing how easily riggers can move something this big. Building has 9 suites, each with its own meter - we occupy 4, so "all" we had to do was run conduit, mount a 200 amp panel and pull a bunch of wire (electricians made this look easy too).
Our 25" Heidelberg is actually much larger than the Hamada. We needed this new technology to remain "Competitive" - Jim

 

[.]

Jim,

Congratulations on the new “Iron”!! A friend of mine deals in this type of equipment so I’ve heard about how heavy these thing can be.

Get those pics posted!!


Brian.

 

[Toejam]

Joe - you see commercials that tell you your home is the biggest purchase you will ever make - To answer your question - 365 + 65 for the direct to plate system.
REALLY big iron - like a Heidelberg 8 color 40" Speedmaster, can cost over 3 million bucks. We're not going there - I don't want to lie awake at night hoping we have enough business to make a $40,000 monthly payment!
I've always wanted to be a millionaire - I didn't realize it would involve owing a million -

My Father's first 4 color was an okiyama(sp?) 20x26 he purchased just before selling the company. It was $365,000, Back in '83! Our first Large Press was a Heidelberg SORZ 24X32-2 color which he purchased in '72 for $80,000.

 

[The Counterfeiter]

My Father's first 4 color was an okiyama(sp?) 20x26 he purchased just before selling the company. It was $365,000, Back in '83! Our first Large Press was a Heidelberg SORZ 24X32-2 color which he purchased in '72 for $80,000.

Joe - I still shake my head over this, but 50% of the printing businesses that were operating in Arizona five years ago are closed. We were able pick up two presses by taking over remaining lease payments. A Heidelberg MOVP 19 x 25 perfector for $115,000 and a Ryobi 3304 four color 13 x 19 for $85,000. Upside - they are both paid for! Downside - old negative, manual stripping and plate technology.
When you eliminate the quick print shops, the few remaining mid-sized commercial shops are pretty tough competitors. New Mitsubishi/Hamada DTP system will allow us to kick their butts! If you are going to be here for time trials or CSK, please stop by for a tour. - Jim

 

[Toejam]

I may take you up on that Jim, Thanks Joe