KENNESAW, Ga., September 13, 2004 – Heidelberg USA will unveil two high-performance folding solutions to the North American market at Graph Expo/Converting Expo 2004: the newly developed Easyfold folder and the Stahlfolder TH and KH series. Easyfold is the ideal folding solution for small format, short run printing, folding stock up to 80 pounds cover. The new compact folder is perfect for the quick turn around of short runs that are typical for copy shops, Quick Printers, In-Plants and digital printers. Meanwhile, the all-new TH buckle-plate folder and KH combination folders are ideally suited for commercial folding applications for printers and trade binders. “At Heidelberg we continue to develop the most progressive technology on the market and these new advancements in folding equipment will demonstrate how committed we are to helping our customers run more efficient binderies and even more successful businesses,” said Larry Tanowitz, senior vice president, Finishing, Heidelberg USA. “This has become more important than ever as printers face tougher deadlines and battle profit margin pressures. We know that printers around the country increasingly are turning to their finishing departments to weed out inefficient processes and excess costs by becoming more automated. And that is exactly what Heidelberg is doing with these new folding solutions.” Easyfold is extremely simple to operate. It is fully automated and features an ergonomic user interface. Changeover times are negligible since the six most popular fold types are pre-programmed and can be called up at the press of a button. In addition, three other user-definable folds can be stored for a total of nine available fold types. The basic settings can be manually modified and conveniently saved for repeat jobs. Trimming, perforating and scoring tools are also available. The folder permits highly professional and productive folding of small runs and the modular concept makes it very simple to expand. Easyfold may be equipped with a second folding unit, which offers the user a number of cross fold possibilities. An optional flat-pile feeder with precise sheet alignment can, like all Easyfold components, be quickly attached without using any tools. The Stahlfolders of the new TH/KH generation deliver the quality and speed that buyers expect of printers and binderies. The TH buckle-plate folder is available in sizes of 56, 66 and 82 cm. The KH combination folders feature sizes of 56, 66 and 78 cm in the cross-fold unit. Specifically, the TH 66 to be displayed at Graph Expo 2004 is equipped with various optional automation components, which offer shorter makeready and deliver increased efficiency due to their comprehensive integration in the workflow. Key features include: • Air Stream Register Table: a tilted roller conveyor belt that uses a constant air flow to control and align sheets • Modular Control Technology system (MCT): stores air flow settings for various stock weights • Side guides: feature digital readouts that show target and actual positions, enabling the operator to quickly and precisely set side guides • Motor-driven folding roller adjustment: uses a stock sample to determine automatically the settings for the folding rollers for any particular imposition. The same stock sample acts also as a double sheet detector and with an optional eject gate makes it possible to eject doubles and keep production un-interrupted • Slitter shaft lift kit: enables operator to remove the whole slitter shaft assembly and literally lift it above the following folding station for easy access and quick adjustment All of these features make a significant contribution to cutting the cost of makeready. In addition, the modular design of the folders enables enormous flexibility for a wide range of different applications. The basic model can be extended by adding optional packages and features at any time in response to changing requirements. Virtually all hardware options can be retrofitted, including pre-slitter shafts for the first, second and third stations and double rear-mounted slitter shaft for the same stations. The new Extra Grip folding rollers are a key feature that ensures high levels of fold quality. Highly sensitive papers can be processed with ease and paper transport is improved significantly with the new fold roller design. The TH/KH folders are available with a choice of flat-pile feeder, round-continuous feeder or pallet feeder. The all-new TH/KH folders are ideally suited to accommodate the requirements for fast turn around and total workflow integration. They come with more opportunities than ever for print shops to specialize and stand out from the competition. Its new design offers user-friendly, ergonomic operation and un-paralleled flexibility.