Digital Presses--Making the Grade

A prototype Speedmaster 74 DI made its industry debut at IPEX in Birmingham, England, last month. Production models are scheduled to ship during the second half of 1999.

Marcel Kiessling, head of Heidelberg's Direct Imaging business unit, reports that the impetus for the creation of the larger machine came from a recent study of DI users that was commissioned by Heidelberg. The survey said not only were the majority of Heidelberg DI-equipped facilities profiting from their digital offset presses, but that many were ready to increase their direct-to-press capabilities with a four-up direct imaging machine.