KENNESAW, GA  -- On the eve of the 2009 IADD•FSEA Odyssey trade exhibition, held May 6-9 in Atlanta, Heidelberg USA hosted a Packaging Open House for Odyssey attendees at its Print Media Demonstration Center (PMDC), the largest packaging demonstration facility in North America.
 
Seventy-five customers had an opportunity to view the extensive lineup of Heidelberg packaging equipment installed at the PMDC. Attracting strong interest throughout the evening were demos of the 18,000 sph Speedmaster XL 105, the 50,000 pieces/hour Diana X 135 folder-gluer, the 5,000 sph KAMA ProCut 74 half-size die cutter, and Heidelberg’s gentle giant, the 9,000 sph Dymatrix Pro CSB die cutter.
 
“Heidelberg’s Packaging Open House was a perfect adjunct to the IADD•FSEA Odyssey and an education in itself,” said Joe Adkison, president of the International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking (IADD). “We were pleased that so many of our attendees took advantage of the chance to explore the staggering range of capabilities on display at the PMDC.”
 
“Heidelberg backs up its print media leadership with a portfolio of innovative packaging solutions for the folding carton industry,” said Jeff Peterson, executive director of the Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA). “Thanks are due to Heidelberg for extending this opportunity for Odyssey attendees to visit Heidelberg’s comprehensive array of bindery and finishing solutions.”
 
“We were delighted to cooperate with the IADD and FSEA in making the resources of the Heidelberg PMDC available to Odyssey attendees,” said Dan Maurer, vice president postpress product management, Heidelberg. “As a responsible supplier to the paperboard packaging industry, we take seriously our obligation to educate and provide the converting community with access to the best technological know-how in the business.”
 
Also on display at the PMDC were: the entry-level ECO 105 folding carton gluer; high-performance Diana Packer; KAMA ProFold 74 folder-gluer; Varimatrix 105 CS die cutter; the powerful and versatile Speedmaster CD 102, Speedmaster XL 75 and Speedmaster XL 105 presses; in addition to the recently introduced Prinect Postpress Workflow, which enables finishing equipment to be integrated into the print shop workflow for the first time ever. The SignaPack software solution comes equipped with a series of production tools specifically tailored to the packaging industry.
 
The wide variety of products manufactured by folding carton specialists ranges from simple folding cartons to cardboard with special surface finishing. Unique end products, a high degree of manufacturing expertise and the use of particular special applications are important distinguishing characteristics for packaging printers in the food, confectionary, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and tobacco markets. From administration to data handling, from printing to finishing, die cutting and gluing - even logistics - Heidelberg offers the perfect solution for all the process steps of folding carton production.