Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is the market leader in the UV press sector. A large number of Heidelberg presses are equipped with this technology. The company offers different UV solutions matched to the particular model series. Heidelberg's expertise covers the processing of UV inks and UV coatings, but hybrid inks have also been used successfully for several years. Heidelberg advisers work closely with customers to select the best machine configuration for their needs. This includes choosing and integrating products supplied by a whole range of different manufacturers. Modular concept Heidelberg's UV components are coordinated in a modular way. UV accessories and equipment from other suppliers can be adapted for Heidelberg offset presses. Heidelberg's DryStar dryer and dryers from other approved manufacturers are compatible and can be installed in every suitable dryer position. Heidelberg was the first printing press manufacturer to design medium and large-format presses with CANbus for connecting add-on units. UV dryers from approved suppliers can be controlled from the CP2000 Center. The operator can perform all functions with the press of a button. In addition to IR dryers, Heidelberg supplies numerous components from the Speedmaster Star concept for UV applications. The CleanStar UV extraction system is available in special UV versions which help to reduce odor levels in the print room. Other modules include the InkLine fully-automatic ink feed system, the CoolStar inking unit temperature control unit for consistently high print quality, and the UV-friendly WashStar central washup solution discharge unit which forms the basis of a closed washup solution circuit right up to the re-processing stage. The interplay between the Star components enables cost-effective production and easy operation via the CP2000 Center. Heidelberg also offers storage of UV profiles which take into account UV-specific features in the press control system. Other elements provided by the Heidelberg solution include assemblies and products such as the UV coating supply unit, UV-resistant washup devices, UV rollers or dual-purpose rollers (for use with both conventional and UV inks), customized "shadow-free" gripper systems in the delivery unit, chromium-plated blanket cylinders, UV-adapted ink fountains and UV-resistant seals and hoses. Heidelberg also offers a UV solution in the 35 x 50 format in the form of a UV preparation package. This gives UV dryer suppliers the option of integrating the dryers. Special machines Applications such as UV-printed and coated plastic cards open up whole new areas and growth opportunities for printers. "Inline finishing with the printing unit before the coating unit and with a dryer and extended delivery unit is not always the right answer to the rapidly growing need for quality coated but competitively priced print products," states Roland Varga, Manager of the Heidelberg Special Machines section. For this reason, Heidelberg first introduced an inline finishing machine with coating units before and after the offset printing units. Applying coating prior to actual offset printing opens up a whole range of new possibilities for printshops. For special applications there are also pure offline finishing machines. These can be configured as both UV and IR/hot air machines. "Our tech-nical skills inspire users to greater creativity and help them identify and market features that will make them stand out from the crowd," said Varga