Heidelberg Harris

Shekhar Bihani of SAP Print Solutions, says the web press has the capability to print fifth special colour which gives an edge over the competition.

10 May 2013 | By PrintWeek India

Describe your company?
SAP Print Solutions, the Mumbai-based firm is engaged in printing of annual report, book, IPO and commercial printing, both on sheetfed and web presses. Besides its location in Mumbai, the company has a printing unit in Vasai, a town on the outskirts of Mumbai.

What does the machine do?
Heidelberg Harris N400B is a heatset web press, which is capable of printing 40gsm Bible paper. The machine can print annual reports, books, forms and magazines for print publishing, education and export sector.
 
Why did you choose this particular machine?
The machine has high levels of print automation systems. This helps in increasing the print quality of the end product. The machine is capable of handling different type of paper with different grammages. The automation in this machine helps us reduce wastage considerably as compared to other heatset machines.
 
Did you look at any similar machines?
No. We saw this machine in production and instantly decided to purchase it.
 
Why did you make this purchase?
Apart from continuing our commercial sheetfed printing, we wanted to make a foray into the web printing business.
 
What features do you particularly like?
The press has various features, but the most liked feature is the close loop colour systems, automatic blanket washer, ability to print fifth special colour, has given us an edge over our competitors. Besides these features, the press is equipped with both folder and sheeter options.
 
Is there anything that you wish it had that it doesn’t?
Nothing, in particular. At the given price point, this is the best machine that we could get, and we believe that it has exceeded our expectations. 
 
How fast is it?
The machine runs at a speed of 45,000 impressions per hour.
 
How reliable is it?
Reliability lies in the name, at the end of the day it’s a Heidelberg press.
 
What’s the quality like?
The machine produces saleable quality for the domestic and the international market, and we are very happy with the result it produces.
 
How easy is it to use?
Being a highly automated web press, this 120-feet long machine is controlled by three consoles in the print cabin room, and once the primary makeready is done, then one has to only feed the paper. 
 
How much time or money has it saved?
High levels of automation have helped us save on the makeready time and wastage thereby increasing profit margins. 
 
Has it won you any new work?
Yes, it has. As told earlier, the machine is capable of printing a fifth special colour. This feature gives us an advantage over the competition. 
 
Would you say that it offers value for money?
Yes, it offers value for money.
 
Were there any difficulties experienced during the installation or after?
Normal teething problems were faced during installation.
 
What about the pre- and after-sale service?
We buy our machines from S L Kulkarni Cyril Graphics, and they have been very professional with regards to pre- and after-sales. We have an annual maintenance contract with them for the machines we have purchased from them. 
 
Under what circumstances would you buy another?
Capital expenditure decisions typically depend upon the visibility and traction of the business. We would buy another, if we plan to expand.

Conclusion
User’s verdict
Speed 5/5
Quality 4/5
Reliability 4/5
Value for money 4/5