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Heidelberg Unveils the AutoPlate XL Simultaneous Plate Changer

05/28/2008


  • Yet another step in reducing makeready times
  • Available for all Speedmaster XL presses
  • For the industrial production of short runs
  • Intellistart offers efficient means of integrating plate changes
    into the job changeover sequence
The name AutoPlate has become synonymous in the print media industry with fast, precise, and convenient plate changing. At drupa 2008, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is launching AutoPlate XL, which represents the logical extension of this system to include XL presses.

With AutoPlate XL, the fully automatic plate changing process occurs simultaneously in all printing units. All the operator needs to do is take the new plates to the printing unit. Everything else is taken care of by the innovative, process-oriented operator guidance system Intellistart, which is integrated into the Prinect Press Center high-performance control station.

As the processes are performed simultaneously, all the plates in a press can be changed in almost the same time it previously took to change the plates in just one printing unit. The longer the press, the greater the benefit.

Trend toward shorter runs pushes makeready processes to the fore
This trend means that printshops need to continue improving the efficiency of their production systems for short runs. Besides the integration of workflow systems, another key to success in this area is automation.

If we analyze the times required for the various processes on a press, we can see that it takes far less time to change over plates than to perform washup or to set the sheet travel, color, and register.
Heidelberg has consistently optimized each of these processes in turn and, as a result, peak performance presses in the XL series deliver ultra-short makeready times, exceptional levels of automation, and therefore outstanding productivity.

The introduction of Prinect Inpress Control last year saw the launch of a spectrophotometric measuring system that is revolutionizing makeready processes. The Prinect Inpress Control inline measuring system measures and controls both color and register on the fly. Consequently, the previously time-consuming process of making color and register adjustments has been reduced to just one to two minutes.

AutoPlate XL adds the final link to this automation chain and cuts makeready times even further. As a result, Heidelberg now offers the market's most comprehensive package for reducing makeready times.

AutoPlate XL in triplicate at drupa 2008
At drupa 2008, AutoPlate XL will be demonstrated on three different presses. In the "One Pass Productivity" area in Hall 1, it will be running on the new Speedmaster XL 105-P perfecting press and a Speedmaster XL 75-P ten-color press with perfecting device and coating unit.

In Hall 2, the Speedmaster XL 162 will be making its debut appearance, accompanied by AutoPlate XL.

Image:
During drupa 2008, Heidelberg will be exhibiting the AutoPlate XL fully automatic simultaneous plate changer for XL presses, as shown here for the Speedmaster XL 105.

Graphic:
Heidelberg is constantly working to reduce makeready times. Prinect Inpress Control brings plate changing to the fore. AutoPlate XL is the next step in driving down makeready times even further.

For further information, please contact :
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Corporate Communications
Hilde Weisser
Tel.:  +49 (0)6221 92 50 66
Fax:  +49 (0)6221 92 50 69
E-mail: hilde.weisser@heidelberg.com

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