NELA Technology Part of The Dispatch’s 3V Format Project

RIVER FALLS, WI—Dec. 20, 2011—The Columbus Dispatch has awarded NELA-USA the contract for automation of its plate room as well as the lock-ups and filler bars for its new 3V compact printing format project.

The NELA plate automation solution for the newspaper includes three NELA VCP multi-format vision register punchbenders connected to a 32-bin NELA Sortation System. 



The NELA system is designed to deliver sorted, press-ready plates for multiple web formats—ranging from 42-46˝ widths. The NELA VCP Vision PunchBender incorporates “Select Punching” technology that punches each plate based on press imposition data provided in the 2D barcode. This eliminates multiple punch notches typically required when running multiple web widths. Plates will automatically be conveyed from the plate room to the pressroom and into NELA’s Sortation System. The Sortation System will then automatically sort plates based on a flexible, customer-defined sort criteria.

The combination NELA Filler Bars “patent pending” and NELA Press Locks allows utilization of the existing press cylinders to help control the project costs and conversion time. NELA’s precision machined and balanced Filler Bar replaces the existing Lock-up to fill the gap and provide a flush cylinder printing surface for high speed printing requirements. NELA’s Press Lock-up technology incorporates a series of combined lead and trail positive roller clamps that allows easy loading of the plates while maintaining excellent plate clamping required for register.

“We are excited to be part of this 3V compact format project that will offer newspapers throughout the world an alternate printing solution on existing 2 around presses”, says Jürgen Gruber, director of sales for NELA.

About NELA
NELA forms the largest register control and plate automation company in the printing industry. As a full service register provider, NELA’s Register & Vision Systems include automated punch and bending, press locks ups and controls for On Press Register, Cut-Off, Color Register and Color Density. NELA can be your ‘one stop shop’ for all your offset presses! With more than 1,300 Vision and Register systems installed worldwide, NELA should be your partner too.

Source: NELA.