How Is a Press Made?
Basic press text on Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG production
network gives extensive background information
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has produced a
basic press text that describes the processes for making a press. A
sheetfed offset press is a high-tech device consisting of up to
100,000 parts and components. The work that takes place along the
production chain has to be accurate to within a thousandth of a
millimeter and error-free. The end product, which consists of up to
50 tons of cast iron and electronics, has to function with greater
precision than a Swiss watch.
In various sections, the text describes the different steps
from the customer inquiry to the assembled and ready-to-use press.
It details the core areas of expertise, commitment to innovation,
and the quality system in the world's largest offset printing press
factory. Heidelberg develops data for production planning from
customer requirements and business deals. Components with
Heidelberg know-how such as side frames, cylinders, gears, rollers,
and electronics are manufactured in the company's own production
network at sites in Amstetten, Brandenburg, and Wiesloch-Walldorf.
Some 60 percent of the components are obtained from development
partners and approved suppliers or as standard parts from the
market.
With the exception of one small- and medium-format series of
presses produced for the Chinese market in Qingpu near Shanghai,
Heidelberg assembles all of its presses at the Wiesloch-Walldorf
site to meet worldwide demand. At the plant, each press is
constructed, test-printed, and subjected to other thorough tests.
The press system cannot begin its journey to the customer until it
has fulfilled strict print quality criteria.
"Our mission is to be the best press manufacturer
worldwide," says Stephan Plenz, Head of the Heidelberg
production network, outlining his aims. The interview contained in
the basic press text focuses on employee know-how and the
Heidelberg Production System (HPS) with its continuous improvement
process. Significant coverage is given to issues such as training,
quality, and technology development.
Readers will find detailed information on topics such as the
very large format, which is a new press series from Heidelberg, the
production site in Asia, products for the postpress sector, and the
World Logistics Center (WLC). Finally, the basic press text charts
the 50-year history of the Wiesloch-Walldorf plant and sets out the
basic principles of offset printing.
Download Heidelberg Production
Network Basic Press Information .
Image 1: (Cover page)
The basic press text on the Heidelberg production network
gives extensive background information on the processes for making
a press.
Image 2: (Production network graphic)
One factory at three German sites: In the Heidelberg
production network, comprising around 8,500 specialists,
approximately 65 printing units are produced each day for customers
in 170 countries worldwide. Covering an area the size of 88 soccer
fields, the Wiesloch-Walldorf site is the world's largest printing
press factory. Heidelberg assembles folders and presses for the
Chinese market at Qingpu in China.
For further information, please contact:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Corporate Communications
Business Press:
Thomas Fichtl
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 92 4747
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 5069
E-mail:
thomas.fichtl@heidelberg.com
Trade Press:
Hilde Weisser
Tel: +49 (0)6221 92 5066
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 5069
E-mail:
hilde.weisser@heidelberg.com