MAN Roland 900

(NPES International E-commerce Website, January 22, 2008)  “It’s a very desirable press,” says Mark Stribley of Used Machinery Direct, speaking about the MAN Roland 900. “If you can find one.” The model was launched at Drupa 1995 and was the first MAN Roland press to feature a computer­ised control system. The basic press has changed little since.

Originally available in sizes 4, 5 and 6, more recent additions have come along under the Roland 900XXL badge in sizes 7 and 8, with the latter being introduced at Drupa in 1994.

Roland 900XXL: most recent addition to the range

The PECOM computerised control system, having been adopted as the standard computer system for all of MAN Roland’s presses, has also been upgraded during that time and now comes under the company’s Printnet banner. But all models provide for highly sophisticated automation to aid fast and efficient makeready.

Though largely targeted at point-of-sale and packaging printers, this large-format sheetfed press has aroused the interest of book printers looking to maximise the number of pages that can be printed in one pass, with a reverse sheet printer available to provide for backed-sheets without the need for a perfecting device.

When it was launched, the 900 replaced the Roland 800 and introduced power plate loading to the MAN Roland line-up, with semi-automatic plate-loading available as standard, along with three-way register adjustment, sheet arrival time adjustment, and automated ink roller and blanket wash-up. Options available – and that might therefore appear on certain used presses – included pre-makeready settings, management information systems (MIS) links, automatic ink control, ink temperature control and automated impression cylinder wash-up.

Secondhand demand

There is still a consistent demand for 900 models of various configurations and used machines are usually snapped up quickly, according to Stribley. “These presses have better residual value than many large-format machines,” he explains, “but most UK buyers tend to hold on to their Roland 900s. Used machines are most likely to come out of Germany, with buyers often found in the Far East.”

Stribley also warns buyers to watch out for the additional costs associated with used presses. “These are big machines. There is a considerable amount of work involved in stripping the machine down and re-assembling the press. Don’t expect too much change out of £200,000 for this activity, and that’s without any transportation costs.”

Ultimate workhorse

Gary Doman, sales director for sheetfed products at MAN Roland GB, adds: “The Roland 900 has been a good, solid workhorse within the carton and packaging sectors. However, UK users tend not to want to part with them. Those that do come onto the market tend to have been pretty well used, but are still a good buy if you do come across one.

“Interest for used machines of this type helps to keep he residual value high and, during recent years, there has been a market for used Roland 900s in the Far East – notably China, where they have a particular interest in the size 6 model.”

As the press still forms part of the current line-up, spare parts for the Roland 900 are readily available through MAN Roland GB.