CHICAGO, September 28, 2003 – Heidelberg has once again leveraged gapless blanket technology to offer web offset printers innovative new technology for enhanced productivity and efficiency. The new Sunday 3000/32, unveiled at Graph Expo/Converting Expo 2003, is the world's first single-circumference web press to offer the advantage of an eight-pages-across cylinder configuration. A 72-inch (1830 mm) web width allows the press to print 32 magazine-size pages per revolution at speeds of up to 100,000 impressions per hour. "This is an important breakthrough in the revolutionary Sunday Technology development program that began more than a decade ago," says Werner Albrecht, president of Heidelberg's Web Systems division. "The new productivity, efficiency and versatility advantages of the wider format are right on target with the market requirements and competitive pressures that high-volume printers around the world are facing." Gapless blanket technology is vital to the new 2 x 8 format. The tubular blankets eliminate vibrations that would otherwise compromise speed and print quality with the wider, eight-pages-across cylinders. Heidelberg first introduced gapless blankets in 1993 with the original 24-page Sunday 3000 press. The first new Sunday 3000/32 will be installed in Europe late this year. Market applications Printing 32 pages per impression instead of 16 or 24 pages increases productivity and allows more efficient press configurations. The 2 x 8 format can also deliver signatures in a variety of "industry standard" page increments. Albrecht says the new one-web Sunday 3000/32 is an attractive replacement option for the large installed base of two-web 16-page presses common in North American catalog and publication printing operations. "The productivity is higher, the number of printing units is cut in half and the complexity of running two webs is eliminated," he says. The Sunday 3000/32 can also be installed in a two-web configuration to produce 64 pages. Replacing a pair of two-web 16-page presses with a two-web Sunday 3000/32 offers the additional advantage of a reduction in the number of operators required. The new single-circumference Sunday 3000/32 also provides a new alternative to double-circumference presses for high-pagination applications. "For many printers, the single-circumference format has always been the standard for the highest quality web offset printing," Albrecht says. "With the wider Sunday Press, we have extended the productivity of that format without compromising the quality." New folding technology Heidelberg now offers high-speed pinless former and combination folders that complement the Sunday 3000/32. The new PCF-3 combination model includes three innovative signature handling technologies. A patented Double-Cut process separates signatures from the ribbon in two steps to maintain positive control, while a new Dynamic Diverter minimizes marking by eliminating stationary surfaces in the signature diversion process. The PCF-3 also features a new matched-velocity system to slowdown signatures by up to 45 percent for accurate quarterfolding. A PFF-3 double-former folder delivers magazine, tabloid and slim jim signatures that can be adjusted in four-page increments. Both Sunday 3000/32 folders run at full press speed of 3,000 feet per minute (15 meters per second) and can be preset from the Omnicon control console. Pinless folders minimize trim waste, complementing the paper saving made possible by the small non-print area of the gapless Sunday Press blankets Standard Sunday Press features The Sunday 3000/32 is controlled by Heidelberg Omnicon controls, allowing full integration of all components and direct presetting through its open architecture. Additional standard Sunday Press features include independent AC drives, 14-roll ink trains and in-line cylinder stacks. Heidelberg can supply fully automated zero-speed splicers or flying pasters with the press. Dryer options include the Ecocool with integrated chill rolls, the Ecotherm or the Ecoweb.