IPEX 2010: Benefitting the Environment – the CleanStar Process Air Extraction System for the Speedmaster XL 75 Reduces Particulate Matter by Up to 80 Percent

• Clean air and less dust in the pressroom
• Less cleaning means greater press availability

At IPEX 2010, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) will be unveiling the CleanStar process air extraction system for the first time on a Speedmaster XL 75 five-color press with coating unit. The extraction system is located in the delivery. Together with the PowderStar AP 500 - which cuts powder levels by up to 50 percent - and the alcohol-free producing Speedmaster XL 75, it represents a powerful solution for environmentally friendly printing. The CleanStar reduces not only the ammonia content in the air, but also the concentration of dust in the print room environment. Fine dust levels are cut by up to 80 percent. Both factors create a better working environment for print shop staff. As less cleaning is required overall, this in turn increases press availability. So far, the CleanStar is available for the Speedmaster XL 105, SM 102, and CD 102. It will also be available for the Speedmaster XL 75 with extended delivery from the end of this year, and is planned to be introduced for the Speedmaster XL 75 with standard delivery in 2011.

Customers can choose between two types - CleanStar with process air extraction via a filtration cabinet or CleanStar Compact, where the process air is extracted using individual blowers.

Particulate matter levels cut by up to 80 percent
Despite all the progress made with application processes, a certain amount of powder will inevitably go astray during powdering. To stop this stray powder soiling the delivery and press environment, being deposited on printing or coating units, or even being inhaled by print shop staff, Heidelberg has developed the CleanStar process air extraction system. This system collects the stray powder by means of specially arranged extraction devices in the delivery. As the Speedmaster XL 75 will demonstrate at IPEX, this does not affect sheet travel, even at a production speed of up to 18,000 prints per hour.

In addition to powder, the CleanStar also extracts paper dust and odors that occur when drying inks and coatings, including ammonia and the typical UV odor. The improvement is particularly noticeable at the end face of the delivery. Measurements conducted in accordance with the specifications of the German Institution for Statutory Insurance and Prevention in the Printing and Paper Industry confirm that using the CleanStar cuts the amount of external dust by up to 80 percent. In addition, eye irritation caused by escaping drying vapors is prevented extremely effectively.

Less cleaning means greater press availability
In conjunction with dust extraction, regular automatic blowing of powder and dust from the sheet guide plates and delivery air system prevents clumps of powder building up at various points in the delivery. To a large extent, this ensures that clumps of powder do not fall unchecked onto the delivery pile. The result is less cleaning and excellent product quality without the inconvenience of powder deposits on the print sheet.

Kiel-based print shop Grafik und Druck has been using the first Speedmaster XL 75 with CleanStar in field trials since the beginning of this year. Like many other customers, Grafik und Druck owner Helmut Wünderlich approached Heidelberg with a request for a process air extraction system. "Before, we had to clean our press every day. Now, we only need to do so every two to three days," explains Wünderlich, who feels his expectations have been fulfilled. "Even though our Speedmaster XL 75 is configured as a long perfecting press with ten printing units and a coating unit, and produces 15,000 sheets per hour, our paper travel has not been affected in any way," he continues. As a result, the print shop - which employs 36 staff and produces commercial jobs of all kinds - is taking a further key step toward environmentally friendly printing.

Figure: Speedmaster XL 75 with extended delivery
At IPEX 2010, Heidelberg will be presenting the CleanStar process air extraction system for the first time on a Speedmaster XL 75. The CleanStar reduces odors and fine dust by up to 80 percent.

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.