Sheetfed Presses--Lean, Mean One-pass Machines

Automated functions, however, are not the only answer to reducing make-ready and press-time. The optimal method of sheetfed production would entail eliminating the need for multiple passes through the press—hence, the growing trend toward perfecting.

"Long perfecting presses, capable of perfecting four-over-four or five-over-five can lower costs by 15 to 25 percent, while simultaneously boosting overall plant capacity without additional operators," explains Heidelberg USA's John Dowey, marketing director, Speedmaster presses. "For every job these presses perfect, they eliminate most of one makeready, one press check, one production run and intermediate drying of the job."