Launched at the end of 2014, manroland Sheetfed’s state-of-the-art new printing press, the Roland 700 Evolution, has been recognized with one of the world’s most prestigious design awards – the 2015 Red Dot Award for Product Design. The awards competition attracted nearly 5,000 entries from 56 countries. The Founder and President of Singapore-based Red Dot, Professor Dr. Peter Zec, said manroland had showed “uncompromising competency and considerable courage. You have measured yourself successfully against the best in the industry,” he said recently in a letter to manroland. The jury was made up of designers, academics and journalists from 25 countries who were impressed by the Evolution’s sleek and futuristic look and technology aimed at giving printers “unprecedented levels of efficiency, operation and quality.”
Manroland CEO Rafael Penuela added: “We are naturally thrilled to have won this award. Printing presses are not usually recognized for their design. It’s a tribute to our team here in Germany who conceived, developed and launched the Evolution in just two years.”
The latest generation Roland 700 incorporates has a newly designed central console with state-of-the-art touchscreen panels incorporating detailed graphical information in a user-friendly interface. The interface features new and enhanced operation, flexibility and comfort, with options for left-handed or right-handed console operation, as well as customization for different operator body heights.
Its new feeder pile transport system improves productivity via the smooth, upward motion of the pile-carrying plate and improved sheet travel from the feeder to delivery. The all-new design elevates the Evolution Press “as the industry benchmark for performance and increased ergonomics,” said the OEM. With solid fixing of the suction head, safer sheet separation and higher average printing speeds, the new press results in higher net performance.
Completely redesigned cylinder roller bearings for radial and axial rotation, coupled with a new dampening unit design, help give the press “unprecedented print quality.” Its new, chambered doctor blade system in the coating unit provides high quality gloss effects and inline enhancements that make the evolution an attractive choice for packaging printers. Newly developed suction belt sheet brake technology offers higher printing speeds combined with steadfast sheet alignment and tail-edge stabilization. “Manroland’s history is replete with technology leadership,” said Michael Mugavero, Manroland Sheetfed U.S. & Canada CEO. “The culmination of the all new R700 Evolution elevates sheetfed press technologies to new heights.”
The Red Dot Product Design competition began in 1954. Its award, the Red Dot, is an internationally recognized quality seal. The competition for Design Concepts and prototypes is held annually in Singapore. Red Dot recognition signifies belonging to the best in design and business and is aimed at all those who would like to distinguish their business activities through design.
Manroland Sheetfed wins design ‘Oscar’ for its Roland 700 Evolution Press
