Heidelberg Reports Prepress, Press and Postpress Product Installs

Zoo Printing, a Web-to-print, gang-run, trade printing business based in Commerce, CA, reports the addition of a Stahlfolder KH-78 continuous-feed buckle-plate folder with cross-fold unit, feeder and stream delivery to its 40,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Louisville, KY. The new folder joins a raft of Heidelberg postpress equipment previously installed at the Louisville plant, including a pair of Polar 137 XT and two Polar 115 XT cutting systems, and a pair of USA B-20 and B-30 continuous-feed folders.

According to general manager Ark Andoun, the intelligent automation and optimized operation of the new folder greatly reduce the wear-and-tear on operators when handling 28x40-inch sheets and 8- to 12-page signatures typical of Zoo’s production output. Intuitive controls and a graphical user interface based on Heidelberg's proven symbols vastly simplify operation of the machines. Accessibility of the knife shafts also has been improved with a kit designed to raise them to an ergonomically advantageous working height. Noise hoods are easier to open, making buckle plates more accessible and enabling on-the-fly adjustments to the paper and the buckle-fold assemblies as required. The new KH-78 folder is deployed chiefly to the production of catalogs, calendars, and like items.

For Zoo Printing, which serves a clientele made up of graphic designers, print brokers, print shops and ad agencies nationwide, its longstanding relationship with Heidelberg has been essential to its success. Not only is Heidelberg equipment well-engineered and reliable, Andoun said, but “The service is also consistently terrific, and our training was thorough. We view Heidelberg as a true partner in our business.”

Source: Company press release.