Ryobi 920

Ugar brothers, Abhijit and Mandar of Pune-based Vikram Printers say that the 920’s fast turnaround time makes it a perfect press for short run jobs

10 May 2013 | By PrintWeek India

What does the machine do?
It is a CIP4 machine which is capable of printing eight-up of A4 size and letter size as well as printing of A1 size posters. This format is ideal for my set up. The turnaround time is fast and can print five to six short-run jobs of the same paper size per hour.

Did you look at any other similar machine?
Yes, we started with a list of potential suppliers. One essential element in the decision process was that the press had to be able to accommodate exactly the same size of jobs which we were producing. We finally compared the Sakurai and Ryobi and finalised Ryobi.
 
Why did you make the purchase?
The Ryobi press offered considerable overall cost savings against the competitive product. Most of my jobs are demi size. The jobs were printed on a Heidelberg Speedmaster which we felt was not cost effective. We saved time and money with Ryobi. The compact space-saving design allows space utilisation. 
 
What features do you particularly like?
The Ryobi 920 allows the operator to enter preset values for paper size and thickness using the touch-panel display. The semi-automatic plate changer allows quick and accurate plate changing without tools.
 
Is there anything that you dislike?
To-date there are no features that we dislike and the machine is meeting all of our requirements. I would like to see the performance of the press after five years.
 
Is there anything that you wish it had that it doesn’t?
The coater unit. When we purchased the press, the coater unit was not available but I believe now Ryobi has provided an additional coater unit.
 
How fast is it?
Although the press has the speed of 16,000 impressions per hour, we run the machine at 14,000 impressions per hour. 
 
What’s the quality like?
It is more than two years now that we have purchased the Ryobi. Even today, the press delivers the expected quality.
 
How reliable is it?
Very dependable. It takes care of all my print requirement. 
 
How easy is it to use?
One of the most user-friendly Japanese presses.
 
How much time or money has it saved?
The investment was worthwhile. It gave my print business a new dimension. It also helped us speed up things, such as makereadies.
 
Has it won you any new work?
It certainly has. The quality the machine produces speaks for itself.
 
Would you say that it offers value for money?
It offers tremendous value for money.
 
Where there any difficulties experienced during the installation or after?
There were no problems, everything was fine.
 
What about the pre and after-sale service?
Both the services from the supplier were good.
 
Who do you think the machine is right for?
Anyone wanting to do short-run, quick turnaround and good-quality work. This machine is ideal for the commercial printers and book publishing jobs.
 
Under what circumstances would you buy another?
The Ryobi press has certainly opened our eyes to future possible investments.

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