CHICAGO, Oct. 6, 2002 – Demonstrating its continued commitment to the bedrock of today’s printing industry, Heidelberg is showcasing new equipment, enhancements and technology for sheetfed printing at Graph Expo that will raise the bar for industry performance in this sector. Heidelberg will have one of the largest displays of sheetfed equipment at Graph Expo, with live demonstrations and presentations to introduce the many new features and functionalities now available. New Press Totally Integrates UV Functions Key among the Sheetfed division’s Graph Expo highlights is the introduction of the Speedmaster CD 74 with UV integration, the first offset press specifically designed with UV printing and coating in the original design specification. All UV equipment is completely integrated, allowing the fastest changeover from conventional to UV chemistry as well as other features that provide unsurpassed performance, convenience and safety. Heidelberg’s proven Speedmaster CD 74, with the oversize format of 23 _" x 29 1/8" gives commercial printers and square-inch printers alike the extra sheet size they need to complete their most demanding projects, with image and sheet size to spare. With Heidelberg’s DryStar UV solution, printers can take advantage of the latest trends in UV printing and coating, without sacrificing performance for conventional inks. "This added flexibility helps printing companies differentiate themselves and create unique products for their customers – even in difficult market conditions," said Harry Wingruber, a Heidelberg USA sheetfed product manager. AxisControl Raises the Bar on Color Management Speedmaster customers will be eager to try AxisControl, Heidelberg’s basis color measuring system in the CP2000 Center for online spectrophotometrical color measurement and control in the color bar. AxisControl maximizes quality assurance and can be used on any Speedmaster model. In the first demonstration at a U.S. tradeshow, three AxisControl units will be on exhibit, including a standalone unit as well as units integrated with the Speedmaster CD 74 and a Speedmaster SM 52. Additionally, Heidelberg will demonstrate the Speedmaster SM 102 with ImageControl, which reads an entire 40" sheet, breaking it into 160,000 measuring squares and offers color reference values, deviations and other important information for each individual square. ImageControl is a color measurement system for quality control outside the press. It’s the only system in the world capable of spectrophotometric measurement of the entire printed image. The system demonstrates Heidelberg’s leadership in perfecting technology for presses as large as 12 colors. DI Enhancements Offer New Market Applications Two new enhancements to the Quickmaster DI Pro will be featured at Graph Expo, including the ability to handle up to 16-point stock as well as a new Smart Spooling Mechanism that provides potential for considerable plate material savings. Both new features – which are retrofittable to all QMDI Pro models – significantly broaden the range of applications of the press. The Smart Spooling Mechanism (SSM) automatically detects how much plate material can be saved and what units will be forwarded. Before the SSM, printers could produce 36 jobs with one roll of plate material. SSM enables printers to almost double that number to approximately 70 jobs when they only print 8 _ x 11 inch forms - and more than 120 jobs if even a smaller plate size is used, such as for envelopes or some letterheads. "Some printers – who only focus on 8 _" x 11" applications – haven’t looked at a DI machine because of the plate cost," said Joerg Daehnhardt, Direct Imaging product manager for Heidelberg USA. "The ability to print on format dependent plates opens the QM DI Pro to new markets and new applications such as imprinting or typography." The QM DI Pro now also has the ability to handle up to 16-point stock, making the press the DI-industry leader in paperweight handling capabilities. "This feature is perfect for applications such as short run packages packaging," Daehnhardt said. Rounding out the major DI announcements is the introduction of the second generation of the Saphira Thermoplate 74 PL for the Speedmaster SM 74 DI, allowing for a bigger printing window. The upgraded feature allows for an easy application of spot colors, and metallics as well as for a wider range of dampening and wash-up solutions. The Saphira Thermoplate 74 PL will be commercially available in early 2003. Speedmaster SM 52 Provides Faster Profits Heidelberg will demonstrate the fastest 20-inch press available printing at 15,000 sheets per hour. The Speedmaster SM 52 six-color perfector press with aqueous coating unit shows off its new feature the Short-Path-Inking-Mode providing the correct inking regardless of ink coverage. Printmaster GTO 52 Passes 100,000th Sale Mark Heidelberg recently installed its 100,000th Printmaster GTO 52. With 60,000 customers worldwide relying on its proven technology, the Printmaster GTO 52 is the industry’s best-selling press for small format, high-quality offset printing. At Graph Expo, Heidelberg will feature the ClassicCenter console for easy press operation as well as a new blanket washing system. Printmaster 74 Provides Entry into Half-Size Market Among its entry-level products, Heidelberg will feature updates to the Printmaster PM 74, the ideal printing press series for newcomers or businesses wanting to expand their capacity in medium-format work. An optional, completely integrated blanket and impression wash up cylinder is now available for the press. The Printmaster PM74 is built on the Speedmaster SM 74 platform and comes in a 2-perfector model or a 4-color model with perfecting and ClassicCenter, a remote-control ink and registered control console. "The PM 74 offers the same operational aspects as the highly automated SM 74 and is a strategically important product because it allows the customer to grow," said Wingruber. The Printmaster PM 74’s typical job spectrum includes business forms, operating instructions, brochures, leaflets, posters, CD booklets, direct-mail items and magazines. Peripherals Capabilities Enhanced Heidelberg Speedmaster customers will benefit from the extension of the CANopen feature to more peripheral systems, enabling control of inkline, cooling unit and powder spray functions all through the CP2000 touchscreen control. Heidelberg is the world’s only manufacturer of printing presses and peripherals to offer all these from a single source. The Star System encompasses the complete system solution – including everything from dryer and powder spray devices to the dampening solution supply. All units are developed directly by Heidelberg or in close cooperation with well-known suppliers. Every individual Star component is tuned to "its " Speedmaster press. Installation and maintenance take place through Heidelberg ’s renowned service network. The Star System gives you everything from a single source – including the peripherals. New Online Kit Boosts Automation of Pre-Drupa 2000 Presses Heidelberg has made available to its customers an easy way to add automated functionality to older presses. The Online Kit CPTronic coordinates interaction between various presses and provides an easy integration solution. The kit enables all Speedmaster presses equipped with CPTronic/CPC 1-04 control console to be integrated in module form into their printshop’s digital workflow – allowing an all-digital workflow even in a mixed system environment. Just like the CP2000 Center, the Online Kit CPTronic performs efficient job management. It includes presettings to help reduce makeready times, job memory for standard and repeat jobs, online transfer of ink coverage values from the Plate Image Reader or PrepressInterface, elimination of job memory cards handling and thumbnail images to facilitate the end-to-end visualization of the print sheet. Remote Service Capabilities Expanded Finally, Heidelberg is introducing online remote service for the Speedmaster SM 74DI and Speedmaster SM 102. The remote service enables remote diagnosis via phone-line anywhere in the United States helping to reduce downtime due to service needs. This helps to achieve the highest possible uptime by offering qualified phone support and preparation of any Heidelberg technician who needs to go on site to assist in case of a problem.