Harris, Heidelberg & Goss Presses Affected by Failing Ink Keys Are Restored with Brand New Drop-In, Plug & Play AC Actuator

Resolves Shortage: Original Actuators are Obsolete

Centerbrook, Conn. – Essex Products Group (EPG), a developer of ink control systems and components, as well as ink pre-setting and closed loop color software, today announces immediate availability of the EPG AC Actuator. The EPG AC Actuator is a drop-in, plug & play and affordable replacement for the original but now obsolete ink key actuator driven by Telecolor I and II, CPTronic, and Omnicon ink control consoles that shipped with most Harris, Heidelberg, and Goss offset presses.

Failing Ink Keys

Failing ink keys – the most pronounced symptom of actuator burn-out – is also the most common problem affecting the presses’ ink control systems. The situation has worsened considerably, as printing and packaging companies are at the mercy of a dwindling supply of old and refurbished actuator units.

Offset Presses Are Still Workhorses of Print Production

Matt Strand, EPG’s chief operating officer and a co-owner of the company, says that it’s rare to find a print or packaging organization that doesn’t have at least one offset press, even if it is now investing in digital solutions. 

“Most printers that stayed viable after the consolidations and closings hit the industry 15 years ago survived with the help of their long run customers,” Strand says. “These robust, heavy metal offset presses sold by Harris, Heidelberg, and many other manufacturers remain in heavy use, in hybrid applications and for everything that’s not versioned or personalized beyond a mailing sticker or cover.”

The Decision to Combat the Shortage of Ink Key Actuators

The EPG executive team was unanimous in its decision to combat the shortage of replacement actuators by building a new one. “We are in a unique position,” says Strand. “EPG has not only designed and manufactured hundreds of actuators over the years, we are also the firm that designed the original, for Harris.” As a result, Strand says that it was less complicated for EPG to build an updated, improved version within the original footprint.

Designing the new actuator for easy, customer installation was a priority. As such, the EPG AC Actuator is drop-in, plug & play, and has built-in electric current conversion, thereby not requiring electrical modifications to the existing power configuration.

The EPG AC Actuator, available immediately, includes a 2 year warranty. For more information, contact EPG at +1 267 261 3003 or +1 800-394-7130, or for fastest response, email [email protected].