New Suprasetter for Small and Medium Formats
09/20/2006
CtP platesetter offers cost-effective gateway to thermal
printing plate production
- High-end technology now also available for entry-level market
- Most compact fully automatic CtP platesetter in its class
- Full integration into the Prinect workflow and combination with new entry-level RIP software
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) offers the most
cost-effective gateway to thermal printing plate production for
small and medium-sized commercial print shops - the new Suprasetter
A52 and A74 models. These new models perfectly complement the
Heidelberg range of platesetters and fill a gap in the entry-level
market. The company's Suprasetter family now represents a
broad, modular range of platesetters that offers various
configuration options and levels of automation to satisfy all the
demands of small, medium, and large formats. The new Suprasetter
will be available from January 2007 and makes its US debut at
GraphExpo in October 2006 in Chicago.
The newly designed platesetter uses the same laser technology as the high-end Suprasetter units, a technology developed by Heidelberg and presented at drupa 2004. As a result, there is no need for users of the entry-level Suprasetter models to compromise on quality in their platesetting operations, especially when using high-resolution Prinect AM, FM, and Hybrid screening. The platesetter also provides extremely reliable production as it boasts the Intelligent Diode System (IDS) - another feature it shares with high-end models. The device achieves best results when used with original Heidelberg consumables.
"Up-and-coming print shops can't afford to compromise on quality and process reliability. Our aim at Heidelberg has been to provide these customers, who don't have a particularly large plate throughput, with a cost-effective means of moving into thermal printing plate production. As a result, they are benefiting from cutting-edge technology that enables them to produce print products with the highest of quality standards," explains Dr. Jürgen Rautert, Management Board Member responsible for Engineering and Manufacturing at Heidelberg, referring to the advantages of the new entry-level models.
Its automation concept makes the Suprasetter A52/A74 the most compact device in its class. By installing the Auto Top Loader (ATL) attachment on the basic machine, the manually operated devices of the standard version can be fully automated - including the removal of slip sheets. The result is the most compact device in its class. The cassettes integrated into the ATL hold between 50 and 100 plates, depending on the plate thickness. Changing the plate cassettes enables various plate formats to be handled. The slip sheets, which are automatically removed, are gathered in the collecting pocket and can be quickly disposed of or re-used.
Consequently, investment in an ATL - which can also be retrofitted - pays for itself after only a short time. Indeed, the fully automatic version of the new Suprasetter functions largely without an operator.
The newly designed platesetter uses the same laser technology as the high-end Suprasetter units, a technology developed by Heidelberg and presented at drupa 2004. As a result, there is no need for users of the entry-level Suprasetter models to compromise on quality in their platesetting operations, especially when using high-resolution Prinect AM, FM, and Hybrid screening. The platesetter also provides extremely reliable production as it boasts the Intelligent Diode System (IDS) - another feature it shares with high-end models. The device achieves best results when used with original Heidelberg consumables.
"Up-and-coming print shops can't afford to compromise on quality and process reliability. Our aim at Heidelberg has been to provide these customers, who don't have a particularly large plate throughput, with a cost-effective means of moving into thermal printing plate production. As a result, they are benefiting from cutting-edge technology that enables them to produce print products with the highest of quality standards," explains Dr. Jürgen Rautert, Management Board Member responsible for Engineering and Manufacturing at Heidelberg, referring to the advantages of the new entry-level models.
Its automation concept makes the Suprasetter A52/A74 the most compact device in its class. By installing the Auto Top Loader (ATL) attachment on the basic machine, the manually operated devices of the standard version can be fully automated - including the removal of slip sheets. The result is the most compact device in its class. The cassettes integrated into the ATL hold between 50 and 100 plates, depending on the plate thickness. Changing the plate cassettes enables various plate formats to be handled. The slip sheets, which are automatically removed, are gathered in the collecting pocket and can be quickly disposed of or re-used.
Consequently, investment in an ATL - which can also be retrofitted - pays for itself after only a short time. Indeed, the fully automatic version of the new Suprasetter functions largely without an operator.
Entry-level RIP software and integration into the Prinect
workflow
Heidelberg has developed an entry-level solution for the RIPping and impositioning of data specifically for the Suprasetter A52 - Prinect MetaDimension 52i used in combination with the Prinect Imposition Editor (see separate press release). This makes functions possible, such as processing PostScript and PDF files and impositioning standard folding layouts. Just how user-friendly this software is can be seen clearly from the impositioning functions. The Prinect Imposition Editor, available as an Acrobat plug-in, supports the creation of sheet assembly layouts. A complete job can be viewed as a WYSIWYG preview and changes can be shown directly in a PDF. Other functions such as proofing and trapping can be added as options. If greater integration capability and more functions are required, it is worthwhile investing in the very latest generation of Prinect MetaDimension and Prinect Signa Station. In principle, this will also enable the entry-level models of the Suprasetter family to be completely integrated into the Heidelberg Prinect workflow.
Flexibility in plate formats and climatic conditions
The operator can process plate types and formats ranging from 240 x 240 millimeters (9.45 x 9.45 inches) to 670 x 750 millimeters (26.38 x 29.53 inches). This means that both conventional and chemical-free or processless thermal plates can be used. Various configurations make this possible. Plates can be output back to the operator, or via the reverse side to a plate stacker, a connected online processor or, as is necessary for production using chemical-free plates, to the washup unit. The Suprasetter is also designed to withstand fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels while retaining the usual production reliability.
Internal punching system
Two integrated punching systems are available as an option for both the manual version and the version with ATL. This enables a high register accuracy to be achieved on all Heidelberg presses as well as on a large selection of presses from other manufacturers. It also speeds up the work process a great deal and reduces paper waste significantly, while the errors that consistently occur in manual punching are avoided.
Comprehensive service concept
Depending on your country and region, Heidelberg now offers the Suprasetter models with a comprehensive support and service package which includes supplying all the service parts, including the laser head, that would be needed over a period of up to five years. This safeguards a customer's investment in the long term and enables users to plan costs.
Image 1+2:
The new A52 and A74 Suprasetter models which will be presented on Graph Expo in October to the public for the first time, offer small and medium-sized print shops the most cost-effective means of moving into thermal printing plate production.
Further information for journalists:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Corporate Communications
Matthias Hartung
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 92 50 77
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 50 46
E-mail: matthias.hartung@heidelberg.com
Heidelberg has developed an entry-level solution for the RIPping and impositioning of data specifically for the Suprasetter A52 - Prinect MetaDimension 52i used in combination with the Prinect Imposition Editor (see separate press release). This makes functions possible, such as processing PostScript and PDF files and impositioning standard folding layouts. Just how user-friendly this software is can be seen clearly from the impositioning functions. The Prinect Imposition Editor, available as an Acrobat plug-in, supports the creation of sheet assembly layouts. A complete job can be viewed as a WYSIWYG preview and changes can be shown directly in a PDF. Other functions such as proofing and trapping can be added as options. If greater integration capability and more functions are required, it is worthwhile investing in the very latest generation of Prinect MetaDimension and Prinect Signa Station. In principle, this will also enable the entry-level models of the Suprasetter family to be completely integrated into the Heidelberg Prinect workflow.
Flexibility in plate formats and climatic conditions
The operator can process plate types and formats ranging from 240 x 240 millimeters (9.45 x 9.45 inches) to 670 x 750 millimeters (26.38 x 29.53 inches). This means that both conventional and chemical-free or processless thermal plates can be used. Various configurations make this possible. Plates can be output back to the operator, or via the reverse side to a plate stacker, a connected online processor or, as is necessary for production using chemical-free plates, to the washup unit. The Suprasetter is also designed to withstand fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels while retaining the usual production reliability.
Internal punching system
Two integrated punching systems are available as an option for both the manual version and the version with ATL. This enables a high register accuracy to be achieved on all Heidelberg presses as well as on a large selection of presses from other manufacturers. It also speeds up the work process a great deal and reduces paper waste significantly, while the errors that consistently occur in manual punching are avoided.
Comprehensive service concept
Depending on your country and region, Heidelberg now offers the Suprasetter models with a comprehensive support and service package which includes supplying all the service parts, including the laser head, that would be needed over a period of up to five years. This safeguards a customer's investment in the long term and enables users to plan costs.
Image 1+2:
The new A52 and A74 Suprasetter models which will be presented on Graph Expo in October to the public for the first time, offer small and medium-sized print shops the most cost-effective means of moving into thermal printing plate production.
Further information for journalists:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Corporate Communications
Matthias Hartung
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 92 50 77
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 50 46
E-mail: matthias.hartung@heidelberg.com
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