Award for the modular and highly automated generation of TH/KH
folders
This year the generation of Stahlfolder TH/KH folders from
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) received the
prestigious PIA/GATF InterTech Award for Innovation Excellence. An
independent panel of experts selected 17 innovative products out of
a record 52 entries. This is Heidelberg's 22nd award since the
program started in 1978. Stahlfolder TH/KH folders require minimal
makeready time, feature a level of flexibility, and high automation
resulting in markedly higher production and greater operator
convenience. The machines are simple to operate and can be
integrated in an end-to-end workflow using Prinect FCS 100
Compufold software. The modular design means that customers' very
specific needs can be catered to and the folders are scalable to
retrofit all hardware features, such as pre-slitter shafts. Since
first exhibiting the Stahlfolder TH/KH at drupa 2004, Heidelberg
has sold over 800 machines.
The Stahlfolder TH/KH is ideal for midsize and industrial
printers as well as trade binders. It comes in sizes of 56, 66, and
82 centimeters.
Shorter makeready times are achieved thanks to the air stream
register table, an inclined conveyor belt without marbles that
utilizes air flow to control and align sheets. This concept ensures
that sheets are not marked during transport and can process a broad
range of paper with minimum setup requirements. Newly designed
combination buckle plates can be adjusted on the run to change
in-feed space, lower or raise the back pan and even to adjust for
bowfolds to the benefit of even faster makeready speeds and
increased fold quality. These plates are unique in the market and
standard on TH/KH folders.
Automation options, such as the motor-driven fold roller
adjustments, eliminate the need to add paperstrips to gap settings,
resulting in fold roller settings in seconds instead of minutes.
The system uses the double-sheet detector to calculate the paper
thickness and adjusts fold roller gap settings according to caliper
and folding imposition. Settings can then be stored for repeat
jobs, including any fine adjustments that might have been
necessary. The new, optional slitter shaft lift improves access to
all slitter shaft components and adds to operator convenience and
the ability to make fine adjustments. The standard Extra Grip fold
rollers ensure top-quality folding. The roller design features a
greater proportion of polyurethane and as such does not mark, yet
maintains a firm hold on any stock weight.
The Stahlfolder KH/TH folders are guaranteed to impress with
their new design, where the focus is on user-friendliness and
ergonomics. The series was awarded the red dot 'best of the best'
prize in 2004. The red dot is an international seal of design
quality.
About PIA/GATF
The Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF) was founded
in 1924 in the US to help professional users in the graphic arts
industrial sector with research, training, information, and
services. In 1999 the GATF merged with the Printing Industries of
America Inc. (PIA) and today PIA/GATF is the world's largest trade
association in the graphic arts industry, representing the
interests of over 1.2 million employees and more than 12,000 member
companies.
PIA/GATF is the sponsor of the InterTech Technology Awards,
where outstanding and innovative technologies for the graphic arts
industry are honored. Independent judges select technologies that,
in their view, will have a greater impact on the productivity,
profitability, service offering, and market opportunities of
printshops in the next five years.
Image:
The Stahlfolder TH/KH generation of folders receives the
prestigious PIA/GATF InterTech Award for Innovation.
For further information:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Corporate Communications
Hilde Weisser
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 50 46
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 92 50 66
E-mail:
hilde.weisser@heidelberg.com