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5 Biggest Problem With Web Offset Machine Buying, and How You Can Fix

When it comes to having the capacity to print in high volumes, there are few better hardware options than a high quality web offset printing machine. Although this is the case, it is also true that there exists considerable variability in the quality of build in web offset units that are produced by different manufacturers, how similar they may look. Regardless of the specific printing purpose that a web offset machine is being utilized for, there are always going to be things to watch out for when acquiring a web offset printing press. A buyer should understand and be afraid of the consequences of acquiring a web offset unit that is not optimal for their needs; this could prove to be a massive waste of capital and expose a buyer to large amount of risk. For the benefit of potential web offset printer buyers, some of the biggest problems with purchasing the optimal web offset printer, and how to remedy these problems, will be discussed here:

SELECTING A MANUFACTURER

The reality is that in the industry of web offset printing press manufacturing today there is a high degree of competition, and competing manufacturers are coincidentally located near each other. This can cause confusion among potential buyers, in terms of not knowing what their best options actually are. This sense of confusion among buyers can often stem from a lack of any technical background.

This lack of technical understanding will often lead buyers to only consider pricing when selecting their web offset printing machine, leading to purchases that the buyer then later regret. Having a healthy degree of fear of a bad purchase can help prevent a buyer from making the wrong call. Avoiding the wrong decision can be achieved by the buyer doing their research and verifying the service and quality parameters of a manufacturer before ever making a purchase.

QUALITY OF COMPONENTS & TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS AVAILABLER

When the components of a web offset presses are being considered by a buyer, main components that will often be in the forefront of consideration are the main frames, bearings and cylinders used. When assessing the condition of cylinders a buyer should be paying attention to the parallelism tolerance and run out of the cylinders that a given manufacturer is and has been maintaining. With regard to cylinders it is also recommended that a buyer cross check cylinders using high resolution dial for run outs and parallelism. If it is bearings that a buyer is assessing, then it is critical that it be original, state-of-the-art such as latest bearing 804944 and bigger and wider than most manufactures are using today. Making sure the bearings are state-of-the-art or close to it is necessary when assessing quality.

It is also important to determine the technology upgrades a manufacturer has acquired, since this will ensure that a buyer’s current and future technical needs are going to be taken care of. Another quality to look for in a web offset printing press is the level of the cylinders being maintained; if the level is off due to errors in workmanship then there will be issues with printing. A buyer should not select a press that is not precisely level if they want their printing to be consistently accurate. An inaccurate level is something a buyer should be especially afraid of, since this is going to virtually guarantee that printing quality will not be optimal.

MANUFACTURER’S INFRASTRUCTURE AND SPARE PART AVAILABILITY

If a buyer is faced with the information that a manufacturer is utilizing manual machines, as opposed to the latest technology CNC machines, then this manufacturer should generally be avoided by the buyer. This is for the simple fact that the use of manual machines exposes the buyer to repeatability issues, whereas utilizing the newest CNC machines will ensure tolerance and quality in the production.

Additionally, a buyer should consider whether or not a given manufacturer consistently maintains a sufficient stock of spare parts. This is because if a manufacturer does not stock a sufficient amount of spare parts regularly, when issue arises wherein a part fails on the web offset press then it could be a while until the part is repaired on the unit.

WARRANTY AND TECHNICAL SERVICE OPTIONS

Manufacturers should also be assessed based on their their warranty options and stipulations; if a manufacturer is offering a standard warranty of 1 year then a buyer could be faced with massive costs if any high value and critial part fails immediately after the warranty period. Web offset printing machines that are sold with a sufficiently extended warranty period should be regarded by a potential buyer as being good options to at least consider further, and perhaps acquire if other relevant conditions are satisfied with the printing press. Other relevant conditions include whether the manufacturer is going to offer their clients service and customer support options on a consistent basis. Having competent professionals there to help with service issues when they arise will make a big difference in the longevity of a web offset press.

EXISTING REFERENCES

A final safeguard against a bad purchase is to consult with, and perhaps visit a manufacturer’s current customers if it is feasible for a buyer to do so. This is another way to ensure that a buyer has an accurate conception of what to expect from a specific manufacturer. After all of the previously mentioned conditions have been satisfied and a buyer is confident that they have chosen a high quality supplier, then it is appropriate to begin negotiations and achieve a final closing.