December 16th, 2008 – Goss International has introduced a solution that overcomes barriers deterring many newspapers from converting to a more attractive and cost-effective compact format.

The new Goss Triliner technology converts two-pages-around newspaper presses to print three pages around, allowing publishers to save paper and increase productivity and color capacity while still maintaining broadsheet sectioning and the ability to accommodate standard-size advertising inserts. Plate cylinders are modified to accommodate a single plate containing three shorter newspaper pages imaged around the circumference. A Goss SuperBerliner folder allows off-center folds, and adjustments can be made to postpress inserting systems to accept the smaller, asymmetrically folded papers.

Publishers can modify existing double-circumference presses to produce papers with two-thirds of the previous cutoff. The Triliner technology is also available for new presses. Equipping a press with two folders will provide the versatility to produce both two-around and three-around products by simply varying the number of pages imaged onto the single-around plate.

"Triliner technology offers the convenient, compact size previously reserved for tabloids, while retaining key advantages of the broadsheet format, including multiple sections and premium advertising positions," explains John Richards, Goss International director of newspaper product management.

Richards points out that the unique off-center SuperBerliner folder is vital to Triliner technology, giving the folded product a familiar size and shape while allowing the larger flap to cover standard-size inserts produced on 21-inch presses. "With web widths shrinking, Triliner technology also brings cutoffs into a more familiar and pleasing proportion to page widths," he adds.

Paper savings and operational advantages

Converting to Triliner technology saves paper by reducing the cutoff of the finished product by 33.3 percent. Operational advantages accrue in both straight and collect production.

In straight operation, each cylinder revolution produces three papers rather than two, with no increase in web speed. "A publisher producing a 22-inch newspaper at 50,000 copies per hour, for example, could produce 75,000 papers per hour in a 14.67-inch Triliner format," explains Richards. "That added productivity can shorten the production window, allowing later press starts or earlier finishes, and it could open up time for commercial or contract printing opportunities." Richards says that the added speed could also allow a newspaper to retain its current print window, while producing the full run on fewer presses.

For collect operations using Triliner technology, sections come in breaks of three, rather than two. The Triliner jaw folder collects the three images around the plate cylinder to produce three sections per former, providing 50 percent more section fronts, section backs and panorama center positions. A second advantage, according to Richards, is a 50-percent increase in color pages without additional towers, due to the fact that all the new sections have color in the same positions as the original sections.

A comprehensive approach

Goss Triliner technology includes conversion of plate cylinders, unique folding technology and postpress modifications. Plate cylinders are converted to accept one plate around, in place of the existing two plates around. The retrofit can be completed one couple at a time to minimize interruptions of production. The three-page images are all burned onto one plate, improving register and reducing by 50 percent the number of plates to be changed. The one-plate-around approach also delivers the versatility to run both Triliner and conventional cutoff products with the same press, utilizing different folders.

 

The Triliner folder design combines asymmetrical folding, shorter cutoffs and the ability to triple collect. The folder is based on the Goss FPS folder and incorporates features from earlier Goss folders that performed the triple-collect operation.

The delivery of products from the folder with the headline up and modifications of inserter pockets allow most postpress operations to accommodate the compact format and the off-center fold.

"The newspaper industry, like many industries today, faces strong competitive pressures," Richards concludes. "With the new Triliner solution, we continue to demonstrate a commitment to providing new opportunities, both through new press investments and through cost-effective upgrades that extend the competitive lifespan of existing equipment."