Kennesaw, Ga., July 25, 2007 – Heidelberg will demonstrate a wide range of packaging solutions at this year’s Graph Expo, including several new items that boast a competitive advantage in economy, efficiency and flexibility. The prepress, press and postpress equipment will be on display in booth #1200 at McCormick Place in Chicago from Sept. 9-12, 2007.
“Heidelberg provides high-performance packaging solutions to a broad spectrum of businesses, whether they are printing simple folding boxes or high-end finished cartons for luxury goods. The high level of customization on our equipment allows companies to find the right solutions for their business,” says Mark Rasmussen, postpress packaging product manager, Heidelberg USA.
For the first time in North America, Heidelberg will introduce its Varimatrix 105 entry-level die cutter for companies that want to transition into professional die cutting and embossing. The Varimatrix 105 includes a long list of standard features that are optional on other die cutters in its category, such as a pre-piling device, a manual nonstop pile feeder and side lays for processing a range of materials. Its embossing capability is the market leader in cutting force tonnage, registering 331 tons of force. In addition, the Varimatrix 105 has earned the prestigious GS insignia for meeting internationally acknowledged German safety standards.
“The Varimatrix 105 allows commercial and trade printers to take advantage of a high-quality, automatic die cutting and embossing system at a relatively modest cost,” says Rasmussen. “It rounds out our full range of die-cutting equipment, which also includes the mid-range KAMA and larger Dymatrix models.”
Also featured in the Heidelberg booth at Graph Expo will be the ECO 105 folder gluer with the new Diana Feeder, which has been re-engineered for increased efficiency. The Diana Feeder is completely servo-driven for supplying an accurate stream of blanks, and it includes a new belt type with lengthwise grooving for more consistent and uniform shingle; a new belt-guiding system for less belt wear; digital position indicators for feed gate adjustment; and a new operating panel for improved control of folder-gluer speed. It also comes with the option of extended side plates and feed gates that allow stacking of up to approximately 40 inches of blanks.
The Japack Pro packer will be highlighted as well this year after undergoing software improvements. This solution allows package printers to take full advantage of high-speed folder gluers. With the ease of a touch screen, the operator can enter the number of samples taken and indicate from which shopping case and layer. The exact number of samples is automatically added to the shipping case, which then is automatically directed to the operator by ACC (Automatic Case Control.)
“Our system incorporates a feature that allows operators to sample right out of the box, so any problems are quickly identified,” explains Rasmussen.
In addition to postpress packaging equipment, Heidelberg will demonstrate two of its flagship sheetfed presses that are ideal for the packaging market: the 6-color Speedmaster XL 105 with coater and extended X3 delivery; and the 6-color Speedmaster CD 74 with extended delivery. The XL 105 is the ultimate production tool for labeling and packaging printers who produce large volumes of multiple-up work. With real production speeds of up to 18,000 iph, the industry’s fastest makeready times and the highest printing quality, it offers everything packaging printers are looking for. In addition, it is equally user-friendly for a broad range of substrates from lightweight papers to heavy board and plastic sheets. This press line covers very short runs with extremely fast makereadies, as well as longer runs at top speed of up to 18,000 iph. Together with the Speedmaster CD 102, which won’t be exhibited at this year’s show due to booth space limitations, Heidelberg provides three main press lines for the folding carton and label production. All three enable conventional and UV printing and coating, and are available in almost any combination of printing, coating and drying units to fulfill individual customer’s specific needs for efficient inline productions.
Heidelberg’s packaging focus will continue at drupa 2008 in Dusseldorf, Germany, where the much-anticipated 56-inch Speedmaster XL 142 and 64-inch Speedmaster XL 162 VLF offset presses will be unveiled. They will be the most state-of-the-art VLF presses to date, combining user-friendliness with outstanding productivity.
For more in-depth information on Heidelberg’s packaging solutions at Graph Expo, Heidelberg experts will deliver a series of “HEI-tech spots,” or special presentations, in the booth throughout the show. Packaging topics will include:
- Speedmaster XL 105 – Proven Peak Performance: 10:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
- Speedmaster CD 74 – Peak Performance with Inpress-Controlled Quality: 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 1:45 p.m. daily and 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
- Postpress Packaging – Die Cutting and Folder Gluers: 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m. daily and 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
In addition to the packaging equipment displayed at this year’s Graph Expo, Heidelberg provides a full range of packaging solutions, including folding carton gluing, die cutting, embossing and hot foil stamping machines as well as image setters, printing presses, cutters, stitchers and workflow and consumables offerings. For more information on Heidelberg’s packaging solutions, visit www.heidelberg.com.