Heidelberg Aims ‘Hei’ With Drupa Debuts

HEIDELBERG, GERMANY—The big, heavy curtain has finally been lifted. With much anticipation surrounding the Drupa 2008 launch of its new 56˝ Speedmaster XL 145 and 64˝ Speedmaster XL 162 large-format sheetfed presses, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen CEO Bernhard Schreier welcomed the international trade press to the Wiesloch-Walldorf manufacturing facility in early March to officially unveil both models, as well as the new Hall 11 where they are being assembled.

Geared toward the packaging and industrial printing segments, the 15,000 sph, “peak performance” presses will headline Heidelberg’s presentation based around “HEI Performance” and “HEI Value” slogans within its two exhibition halls at Drupa.

Corresponding large-format Suprasetter 145, 162 and 190 thermal platesetters and related finishing equipment will also debut.

Other pre-Drupa product announcements included:

• All new Speedmaster presses will be equipped with the new Prinect Press Center, which combines press operation with color and register control in a single, central console. Another innovation, Intellistart, allows the press operator to prepare the next job while the current job is still being printed, greatly reducing production steps. Newly integrated is a large, flat panel screen that depicts all press functions, displays ink zones in their actual width and supports the proofing/approval process.

• Other workflow solutions include an improved Prinect Axis Control and the new Prinect Packaging Workflow module.

• The new, 29˝ Speedmaster XL 75 will replace Heidelberg’s current Speedmaster CD 74 offering. Supporting numerous value-added finishing options, the 18,000 sph XL 75 boasts a larger sheet format, the Prinect Press Center with Intellistart, air presets for the entire sheet travel, and a new delivery control panel with touchscreen and jog wheeel.

• A Speedmaster XL 105 in a perfecting configuration (maximum speeds: 15,000 sph) will be running. (Although not being shown at Drupa, a four-over-four XL 145 perfector model was also seen on the Hall 11 factory floor.)

• Heidelberg is unveiling the 20˝ Speedmaster SM 52 and 29˝ Speedmaster SM 74 series, which will combine the former Printmaster PM 52/74 and Speedmaster SM 52/74 models. They are available in customized configurations, ranging from a low-automation press with standard-pile delivery to a fully automated press with high-pile delivery.

• For the postpress sector, the 30,000 cph Stahlfolder KH 82 combi folder with automatic cross-fold unit will debut. Further innovations include the new Eurobind 4000 perfect binder (rated at 4,000 books per hour); the Diana X 115 folding carton folder/gluer; and the Dymatrix 145 CSB diecutter, which handles a maximum 41.73x57.09˝ sheet.

The Dymatrix 106 Pro CSB and the CS and CSF Varimatrix series have also been enhanced.

• With 10,000 X-Series cutters sold since Drupa 2004, Polar will introduce a tool-free cut stick ejector. New options include Polar OptiKnifePlus, TwinClampPlus, PowerMonitor, AirKnife, AntiStick Knife and CountMonitor.

Polar will also highlight an automated PACE system, which can handle up to a 65˝ sheet, and the new Autojog XT jogging system.

“We want to get across the message that Heidelberg supplies powerful solutions that create real added value for our customers,” noted Schreier during the press event. “This will give Drupa visitors a practical and informative insight into the advantages of innovations and the financial benefits flowing from these.”