The Printmaster PM 74 from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) celebrated its premiere at drupa 2000. The company will unveil the PM 74 four-color press at Print 01 in Chicago. Options for the press include a remote ink control and semi-automatic sheet reversing device. Heidelberg's Printmaster PM 74 two-color and four-color presses provide the ideal solution for commercial printshops that are seeking to benefit from strong market growth. Thanks to the low investment costs, the 50 x 70 sheetfed offset press for the Commercial Print Solution is ideal for users planning to enter this segment or expand existing capacity. With a broad range of uses and low capital investment, the press is a secure investment, especially for single-shift operations. Diversity thanks to proven Heidelberg technology and innovative details The design principle of the Printmaster PM 74 combines Heidelberg standards with innovative details. Intelligent manual solutions such as the user-friendly EasyPlate plate clamping device with automatic positioning run are complemented by automated components. New control panels with clear user guidance at the central control station also provide direct access to all major press functions such as remote register adjustment and control of the ink fountain roller or dampening ductor speeds. With a maximum printing capacity of 12,000 sheets per hour, the Printmaster PM 74 responds quickly and flexibly to the most diverse customer requirements. It also allows for great variation in printing material and format. Whether forms, advertising material, brochures, general commercial jobs or direct mail, the press can handle paper grades from 0.03 mm India paper to 0.6 mm thick card for single-sided printing in formats ranging from 210 x 280 mm to 530 x 740 mm. The feeder on the Printmaster PM 74 ensures smooth paper travel. The Printmaster PM 74 can also be equipped with an optional semi-automatic sheet reversal device. This opens up new horizons for printers looking to broaden the range of applications. Alongside proven Heidelberg design principles, the Heidelberg Alcolor film dampening unit also guarantees excellent print quality, ensuring that the optimum ink-water balance is achieved quickly. This cuts start-up waste considerably and drying times are reduced through the use of less dampening solution. Cost-effectiveness and simple operation The cost-effectiveness of the Printmaster PM 74 rests on several factors. Its compact design and space-saving integrated standard pile delivery mean the new press can be set up easily - even in areas where space is limited. A key productivity factor is the carefully thought-out concept of simple, reliable and time-saving press operation. All the major functions on the Printmaster PM 74 are extremely easy to set. The central control station on the delivery unit has a logically structured and self-explanatory user interface which the printer can use to control the printing units and the inking and dampening units. Circumferential and lateral registers can also be set remotely from the control station. Intelligent manual solutions and automated components combine to make life easier for the operator. The new EasyPlate plate clamping device is designed so that the plate can be clamped and tensioned using a single operating tool. The simple plate changing operation is assisted by the plate positioning run, which automatically moves into the correct position at the touch of a button. After clamping, the printing plate sits precisely on the plate cylinder with complete register accuracy. The printer can adjust the diagonal register with ease using the operating tool and a centrally-positioned scale. A further benefit is the laser-slit knife-type ink fountain with adjusting levers, which ensures simple, accurate ink metering with absolutely no side effects. The position of the lever shows the current ink profile at a glance. Fast setup thanks to optional ClassicCenter module The Printmaster PM 74 four-color press can optionally be equipped with the ClassicCenter remote ink control unit. The ink zones are adjusted remotely using the user-friendly entry keys. The ClassicCenter also features a memory card drive which can be used to store repeat jobs, enabling them to be transferred back to the press when necessary. Ink presetting data from the prepress stage can also be stored on the memory card and then transferred to the press memory. Precise inking and rapid setup of the required ink profile ensure that the Printmaster PM 74 delivers short makeready times and maximum print quality. v The Printmaster PM 74 combines ease of use with outstanding Heidelberg print quality. Your investment is given the opportunity to grow with minimal risk.