HEI Performance at Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg): Around 200 customers and industry experts from 13 countries attended the Packaging Days at the Print Media Center (PMC) in Wiesloch-Walldorf at the end of October. During the two-day event, fully integrated production lines incorporating prepress, press, and postpress operations gave the international audience an opportunity to experience the company's products and application know-how in packaging printing at first hand.

The production lines on show centered around the Speedmaster XL 75-LY-6+LYYL Duo and Speedmaster XL 105-8+LYYL presses, each augmented by appropriate prepress and postpress equipment. Postpress is particularly important in packaging printing as it offers the potential to stand out from competitors and increase sales. This is why the integrated production line featuring Prinect at the Print Media Center in Wiesloch/Walldorf included not only presses but also die cutters and folder gluers in various configurations and levels of automation.



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The presentation consisted of three blocks:
Demonstrations on Dymatrix 106 die cutters, the Diana X 115 folder gluer, and the Speedmaster XL 105 and XL 75 Duo presses
One-to-one discussions with Heidelberg experts - this gave customers the opportunity to discuss their personal business situations and business models and to ask specific questions on configurations, applications, the Prinect workflow, customized solutions in packaging printing, motivation, leadership, and team building
Demonstrations for short runs in packaging printing on the Speedmaster SM 52 Anicolor UV using Saphira consumables


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Highlight of the Packaging Days - demonstration on the Speedmaster SM 52 Anicolor UV using Saphira consumables
The highlight of the event was the demonstration on the Speedmaster SM 52 Anicolor UV. Heidelberg is responding to the growing demand for short runs and customers' desire to stand out from the competition. Printers can now enjoy the benefits of Anicolor, such as low waste and uniform coloring across the entire form, in UV printing, too. This makes it possible to print non-absorbent substrates such as plastics, enabling production of special applications such as advertising material, tent cards, folders, and plastic cards for hotels, purchasing departments, and gas stations. Generating an average of no more than 20 sheets of waste, this helps protect the environment and cut costs, particularly when working with expensive plastic materials. Saphira consumables were used that were developed for Anicolor and UV applications. Their special composition enables users to unlock the full scope and performance of the equipment and to achieve high-quality results for special applications.

The topic and the benefits on offer were reinforced by a user report from Armenian print shop Tigran Mets, which has been producing short runs on a Speedmaster SM 52 four-color press Anicolor UV from Heidelberg since June 2011. The company, which has enjoyed success on the market for over 30 years, is also equipped with a Speedmaster SM 102-4 and Speedmaster SM 74-5+L.



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Message from the Packaging Days: With the right equipment and a motivated team, long-term success is possible. This was also confirmed by Roger Peter, Technical Manager at Swiss print shop CAG Cartonnagen AG: "These days, you can only succeed in an increasingly competitive marketplace by harnessing innovative technologies and machinery. This isn't the only reason why it's important to keep up-to-date with the latest technology at the Packaging Days at Heidelberg. For me personally, it was also a great benefit to discuss topics with Heidelberg experts and people from other print shops. And it was interesting to see machines in action outside our own company."

Stans-based CAG Cartonnagen AG - a successful supplier of innovative packaging, display materials, and advertising of all types and sizes - uses a Suprasetter 145, Speedmaster XL 105 five-color press with two coating units and extended delivery, and a Dymatrix 106 from Heidelberg.