Market developments and analyses of customer surveys by
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) show a trend towards
modular offline CtP solutions combined with offset presses. The
wide-ranging Heidelberg portfolio of CtP products in the Prosetter
and Suprasetter series integrated in a Prinect workflow and the
Printmaster or Speedmaster models for small-format jobs offers
users alternatives for every business model.
In launching the new Speedmaster SM 52 with the new Anicolor
inking unit technology - the zoneless short inking unit - in
conjunction with conventional printing plates and offset inks,
Heidelberg is offering a new and attractive solution for
cost-effective production of short runs in offset quality. This new
technology, which Heidelberg unveiled at the end of February and
will be on the market from early 2007, will deliver dramatic
reductions in make-ready time and cut waste by up to 90 percent.
Heidelberg has thus discontinued production of Direct Imaging
presses in its Quickmaster DI 46-4 and Speedmaster 74 DI series.
Service support and the supply of consumables and spare parts for
presses already on the market will continue to be available in the
usual Heidelberg quality. Heidelberg's own imaging technology will
be continued in its highly successful CtP Suprasetter family.
"Heidelberg's DI technology enjoyed 15 highly
successful years during which it was at the very forefront of
development and saw over 2,000 presses installed worldwide. Users
focusing on short color runs will still be able to use their DI
presses to deliver high-quality, cost-effective results. Heidelberg
and its service network will continue to provide them with ongoing
support they can rely on", says Andreas Forer, Head of Product
Management Imaging Systems at Heidelberg.
History of DI technology at Heidelberg
1991 First DI press with spark erosion technology (GTO DI)
1993 Further development of the GTO DI with new laser
technology
1995 Unveiling of the Quickmaster DI 46-4 at drupa
1998 Market launch of the Speedmaster 74 DI and Quickmaster
DI with
shorter
make-ready times
2001 Quickmaster DI Pro with stream feeder
2004 Quickmaster DI Pro with ProSpot imaging technology and
introduction
of the
Suprasetter CtP series with laser technology developed
entirely
in-house
2006 Already over 300 installations of the Suprasetter CtP
unit with thermal
technology
Image:
Over 2,000 Quickmaster 46-4 presses with DI technology
have been installed worldwide over a ten-year period. This unit
remains a cost-effective solution for users producing short color
runs.
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