IPEX 2010: Automatic Non-Stop Delivery on the Speedmaster XL 105 Further Enhances Productivity and Process Reliability

• Fully automatic non-stop process - no operator required for pile management
• Environmentally friendly - fewer blanket washup cycles and less waste
• Choice of system pallets, disposable pallets or racking

At IPEX 2010, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is to demonstrate the new automatic non-stop delivery system using the Speedmaster XL 105. This innovation enables pile changes in the delivery to be performed without an operator, as all functions are initiated fully automatically via the Prinect Press Center press control station with no manual intervention. The time gained can be used to check the quality of the print job or perform other tasks. The already high efficiency of the Speedmaster XL 105 in the Peak Performance Class is significantly enhanced. Since this press was launched, many customers have reported productivity increases of 30 percent or higher. The addition of the automatic non-stop delivery to the logistics solution will be of particular interest to industrial packaging printers who are looking to maximize productivity. Pile change cycles of eight minutes or less are not uncommon, even for elevated presses. Label and commercial printers can also benefit from adding the automatic non-stop system to their presses. The system will be available from the first quarter of 2011.

Environmentally friendly - fewer washup cycles and less waste
Visitors to IPEX can experience at first hand the advantages of the new non-stop delivery on a Speedmaster XL 105 long perfecting press equipped with Prinect Inpress Control. For material logistics, the press is fitted with a universal system for disposable pallets and racking operation. Normally, the blankets are washed at every pile change. With a non-stop system, washing and therefore required press stops only needs to be performed when this is actually necessary. Two washup cycles can easily be eliminated in a production operation involving six piles, for example, which amounts to a time saving of around four minutes. It also saves up to 50 waste sheets and uses less washup solution. This results in up to 40 percent less startup waste after washing.

With Prinect Inpress Control controlling color and register on the fly, the OK sheet stage is quickly reached, and the startup waste can now be separated from the OK sheets by the non-stop system. With short runs, this means that up to five different jobs can be stacked on one pallet with no waste. The main pile is divided into several small piles by additional racking boards and spacers. Consequently, this automatic non-stop system with hurdles can also be a valuable addition for label and commercial printers.

Customers can choose between system- and disposable pallets
For packaging printers, Heidelberg has been offering logistics systems that ensure fully automated pallet transport to and from the press since the mid-nineties. These employ system pallets. These logistics systems are modular and can be customized to suit the individual user's needs. Fully automated non-stop pile changing in the feeder was already an integral part of these systems. Heidelberg is now adding the finishing touch with fully automated non-stop pile changing in the delivery.

For packaging printers who already use the Heidelberg logistics components with system pallets, the automatic non-stop delivery system is based on the rake principle. This principle allows fully automated pile management from start to end. The user can define the required pile height by entering it in millimeters or by specifying the number of sheets at the Prinect Press Center. Everything else is done fully automatically.

For those who do not use system pallets, Heidelberg will also be offering the alternative of a universal system that supports all types of pallets. Even for long perfecting presses with CutStar that print long runs, an automatic universal non-stop system can increase production and reduce waste.

Graphic: Rake system
The rake principle used in the delivery of the Speedmaster XL 105 enables fully automated pile management from start to end with system pallets.

Graphic: Universal system
The universal system in the delivery of the Speedmaster XL 105 supports all types of pallets, including disposable pallets and racking.

Graphic: Washup cycles
On the Speedmaster XL 105 with non-stop system, the number of washup cycles can be reduced because the blankets are only washed when necessary. In the example, two washup cycles are eliminated, which means up to 40 percent less startup waste after washing.

Figure: Speedmaster XL 105
The Speedmaster XL 105 sets new standards in the Peak Performance Class with productivity increases of 30 percent or higher. This will be boosted further still by the addition of the automatic non-stop delivery to the logistics solution.

For further information, please contact:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Corporate Public Relations
Hilde Weisser
Phone: +49 (0)6221 92 5066
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 5069
E-mail: hilde.weisser@heidelberg.com


Heidelberg at IPEX 2010:
The terms HEI Performance and HEI Value reflect the extensive portfolio of state-of-the-art technologies and services from Heidelberg for the economical and environmentally friendly production of print products. At the trade show, the company will be providing practical demonstrations to highlight how media service providers, print shops, and postpress specialists can act on current market trends and adapt their portfolios accordingly. Heidelberg will be demonstrating how to optimize business and production processes across the entire value added chain of sheetfed offset printing, while also minimizing their environmental impact.

The numerous practical demonstrations will enable visitors to the event to find out how they can achieve economic success with short-run high-end print applications, stand out from the crowd with creative print applications, and make the Internet an integral part of their business strategy.