Ask any printer what their major process concerns are, and 99.9 percent of the time, their replies will come down to two. The first is makeready, which includes equipment setup, color management, and controlling paper waste. Makeready speed is the combination of a talented operator using the most automated press features available. The second concern is downtime, which is usually uncontrollable, but is known to happen at the most inconvenient time. With the high cost of machinery and materials, most printers utilize their resources 24/7, so when an unscheduled breakdown occurs, customers need immediate support.

Parsons Technical Service technicians have long provided the expertise in electrical, electronic, and motor service needed to repair all industrial equipment. These services include printing presses, which take the operation controls, safeties, motor drives, and intricacies of color adjustment to an extreme level of repair.

In February of 2000, mechanics were added to supplement the electrical service. This enabled Parsons to become a complete printing service provider. The diverse and eclectic team of mechanics brought new experience in repair, installation, relocation, and alignment of machinery. A machine shop was set up for fabrication, specifically to make obsolete replacement parts for older equipment. Within two years a Milwaukee Printing Division, headed by Kevin Griffith, was launched due to demand for press service amidst smaller family-owned print shops. Currently the motor shop and five technicians are located in Minneapolis and three technicians are in eastern Wisconsin. In the pursuit of bringing new services to their customers, Parsons purchased an electro plating machine that repairs chrome cylinders on the press without removing the cylinders.

Parsons has completed press installations around the country, Mexico, and Alaska and print diagnostics for presses as far away as Ireland and Amsterdam. Print shops in Australia and Korea have also called to move out equipment. Print mechanics have teamed up for complete shop moves both in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Partnerships with several press manufacturers to do their installations and service are in contract negotiations. These relationships are critical as software, parts, and functions become more proprietary.

Printing presses vary from one color duplicators to 10 color presses that are 300 feet long and two stories tall. Consisting of intricate control wiring and interconnections with gear alignment and unit tramming, moving the “big iron” can be a daunting task. The electrical and mechanical disconnect and teardown of these presses is as important as the set up and alignment. Electricians and mechanics have to work hand in hand with the riggers. Confidence and trust in these working relationships is vital for safety and a proper finished installation. The teardown and installation of printing presses can vary from one week to two months depending upon the machine. Each piece of the press weighs several tons so the concrete floor pad design, and layout are critical.

Although specializing on printing equipment, Parsons mechanics, electricians, and the motor shop cross over into all industrial and manufacturing machinery repairs and installations.

Parsons started as a motor shop in 1927 located in Minneapolis and continues to work on AC and DC motor rewinds and rebuilds, pumps, hoists, and motor brakes. Printing press motors, up to 300 horsepower, are usually high maintenance DC motors, and repairs can be costly. Doing motor inspections is one way of preventing this downtime. Advancements in AC motors and VFD drive technology are replacing the older DC motors and drive boards in new equipment. Parsons specializes in motor and drive control service, preventative maintenance and motor inspections, VFD drive upgrades and PLC programming.

Parsons printing services partnerships with OEMs, riggers and equipment dealers have built a foundation for working relationships which provide quality turnkey installations and service. But of course the most important relationship is with our customers. Two separate customers in Wisconsin told a press manufacturer they would buy their new press only if Parsons was allowed to do the installation and the service work. That kind of customer testimony is tough to beat.

For further information, fabrication or bids please contact Dave Pawlik at (763) 586-1151.