U.S. Printer Sets New Records with Speedmaster SM 102 from Heidelberg

U.S. printer Walsworth Publishing in Marceline, Missouri, has achieved an impressive level of productivity with its two new Speedmaster SM 102 eight-color perfecting presses. Both presses have far surpassed expectations.

"We recently set an eight-hour single-shift record of 400 plates on the Speedmaster 102," reports Mark Hatfield, Walsworth's Vice President of Manufacturing Operations. "And our new record for a single 24-hour period is 960 plates," he adds. This is equivalent to an average of five jobs an hour! During peak production periods it is not uncommon for the shop to hang 900 plates a day on the eight-color presses.

Walsworth Publishing specializes in short-run yearbooks that have helped preserve memories for generations of students. Following a great deal of research, the printer opted for the Speedmaster SM 102.

Walsworth installed the first Speedmaster SM 102 press, which features Prinect Axis Control, Prinect Prepress Interface and the Prinect CP2000 Center, in 2007. The company was so pleased with the high productivity and quality results that a second, identical machine was installed in December 2008. "The Speedmaster SM 102 emerged from our comprehensive tests as the clear number one, and the presses confirm this assessment day in, day out under tough production conditions," reveals Hatfield.

With preset functions from the feeder to the delivery that reduce setup work to a minimum - plus full integration into the shop's digital workflow via Prinect and a host of automation and technology features - the Speedmaster SM 102 offers efficient makeready times and fast job throughput. Walsworth uses these characteristics to its full advantage. Not only has productivity increased, but paper waste has also been drastically reduced.

In addition to record-breaking productivity in short-run printing, the two Speedmaster SM 102 presses have enabled Walsworth to expand its commercial printing business. "Since yearbook printing is so seasonal, the commercial market helps us more fully utilize our equipment," explains Hatfield. Walsworth also prints books, magazines and other products for customers including National Geographic, Adobe and McGraw-Hill. "We're starting to get positive recognition among the well-known publishers, and it's paying off for us," says Hatfield. "We're sure we made the right choice with Heidelberg," he concludes.

Heidelberg scored well with its comprehensive Systemservice 36plus service package. The ability to plan service costs, a 24-hour service and quick spare part supplies all ensure high machine availability.

The Speedmaster SM 102 is the best-selling perfecting press in the world. The breakthrough of long perfectors on the commercial market is closely linked to the success story of this series. Whether equipped with eight, ten or 12 printing units, it represents the benchmark for "One Pass Productivity". The latest Speedmaster 102 generation, including the new Prinect Press Center control station and the dynamic sheet brake, was exhibited at drupa 2008.