Virginia paper will install first U.S. Mainstream press
Integrated Heidelberg press and postpress systems will be
centerpieces when The Roanoke Times updates production capabilities
beginning in 2002. The Virginia newspaper will install a gapless
Mainstream 80 press - the first in the United States - with
six four-high towers in a new 60,000 square foot facility. The
Roanoke Times will also add a shaftless Magnapak packaging system
and an NP200 gripper conveyor system supplied by Heidelberg.
"Gapless blanket print quality, expanded color and the
plate saving economy of a 'one-around' 1x4 plate cylinder
configuration were the critical factors in our press
decision," according to Chip Harris, production director at
The Roanoke Times. The new Mainstream, with 48 printing couples,
will print up to 80,000 papers per hour in straight production. A
single 2:5:5 jaw folder will include a unique "double
jaw" arrangement with one jaw folder at the reelroom level and
a second jaw folder at the press level.
Harris said the Magnapak packaging systems, which will
include 32 stations, will allow the paper to accommodate increasing
insert volumes while offering advertisers enhanced targeting
capabilities and later deadlines.
"This agreement with The Roanoke Times reflects two
unique aspects of our newspaper solutions approach," according
to Werner Albrecht, head of the Heidelberg Solution Center Web
Systems. "We will supply the most advanced press and postpress
components and we will make this technology available within an
integrated production system."
"We take pride in working together with this
distinguished U.S. newspaper in developing a production system that
will not only enhance print quality, but also improve timeliness,
economy, and targeting capabilities," Albrecht added.
"Choosing a single supplier for press and postpress
systems streamlined the purchasing process, and we are confident
that it will help to ensure a more integrated manufacturing
approach," according to Wendy Zomparelli, publisher of The
Roanoke Times.
The new facility for the Mainstream at The Roanoke Times will
also house press support, computer-to-plate, newsprint storage,
receiving and waste handling operations. Plans call for a
Heidelberg NP200 gripper conveyor system to carry papers from the
facility, through an overhead crosswalk that crosses the street, to
the packaging center. Integrated Heidelberg Omnicon control systems
will control press, postpress and auxiliary systems.
As part of the Mainstream press at The Roanoke Times,
Heidelberg will supply seven Contiweb FD pasters with automated
loading and reel preparation capabilities. The system will include
Heidelberg's exclusive Omnipage automatic page recognition system.
Omnipage utilizes cameras mounted on the press console to instantly
identify pages and automatically direct the control system to the
corresponding web, tower or printing couple.
Heidelberg introduced the Mainstream, the world's first
gapless newspaper press, in 2000. The dynamic stability provided by
the gapless blankets allows the press to deliver premium print
quality at up to 80,000 copies per hour with a 1x4 plate cylinder
and a 1:1 plate-to-blanket cylinder ratio. The 1x4 configuration
requires 50 percent fewer plates than a traditional two-around
double-width press. It also allows the layout versatility of
two-page jumps and sections with unequal page counts.
The shaftless Magnapak cycles at up to 30,000 papers per hour
and is the industry's only packaging system capable of inserting as
well as collating and wrapping. Magnapak systems can be configured
with up to 80 hoppers and four deliveries. The independently driven
hoppers can be shifted in an out of production for automated zone
changing at full production speed.
The Roanoke Times is owned by Landmark Communications, Inc.,
a privately-held media company with national and international
interests in newspapers, broadcasting, cable programming and
electronic publishing. It also owns billboard, open-source database
and fixed wireless companies, as well as a career schools division.
Based in Norfolk, Va., Landmark employs more than 5,000 people.
In addition to The Roanoke Times, Landmark metro daily
newspapers include The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot, The Greensboro,
N.C. News & Record, and Landmark Community Newspapers, Inc.,
headquartered in Shelbyville, KY. LCNI publishes more than 100
newspapers, shoppers, college sports publications and special
interest publications around the country. Its community dailies
include The Carroll County (MD) Times, the Citrus County (FL)
Chronicle, The News-Enterprise in Shelbyville, KY, the Los Alamos
(NM) Monitor and The Capital Gazette in Annapolis, MD.
Image:
The Heidelberg Mainstream 80 fits to the requirements of
newspaper printing. The Virginia newspaper The Roanoke Times will
have the first Mainstream in the United States.
For futher information:
Heidelberg Web Systems
Greg Norris
Tel.: +1 603 740 5907
E-mail:
greg.norris@heidelberg.com