KENNESAW, Ga., August 16, 2004 – Heidelberg USA, maintaining its position at the forefront of sheetfed innovation in the graphic communications industry, will unveil enhanced versions of its flagship Speedmaster 102 press at Graph Expo/Converting Expo 2004. The redesigned presses, to be shown for the first time in the United States following a successful global debut at drupa 2004, feature a new Preset Plus feeder and delivery, CutStar roll-to-sheet feeder and a host of new innovations that keep the machine in the leading position of the most advanced sheetfed press on the market. These innovations open new doors for all Speedmaster users, putting them in a stronger position in today's highly competitive market. The Preset Plus feeder and delivery dramatically reduce makeready, while at the same time boost sheet travel efficiency. Depending on the job spectrum, these components can enhance the productivity of the press by 8 to 10 percent. The safety features of the Speedmaster 102 presses also have been fundamentally redesigned to reduce the risk for job-related injuries and improve handling of press. These new additions already comply with future safety standards being set around the world for safety in the coming years. The new Speedmaster SM 102, Heidelberg’s perfecting model, will be demonstrated with a unique Perfecting Coating Solutions (PCS) configuration. This exclusive technology allows the user to print and aqueous coat both sides of the sheet in one productive pass. With PCS, the customer can chose between 5 colors on both sheet sides or 4 over 4 printing with coating, all with one flexible 10-color press. The new Speedmaster CD 102, Heidelberg’s “no compromise” straight-printing model features a new and innovative coating unit that makes anilox roller exchange much faster and a next-generation deliver and dryer configuration that offers 30 percent higher drying performance. The CD 102 delivers the highest quality for demanding commercial, packaging and label printers. "We continue to see printers looking to new innovations in sheetfed to drive the future growth of their businesses,” said Steen Jensen, senior vice president of product management for Heidelberg USA. “The new enhancements of the Speedmaster SM 102 will help to further improve the quality and productivity for our customers and of the entire line of our 102 presses. We’re moving ahead with new developments and improvements that will increase our position in the marketplace and help our customers stay ahead of the competition.” Heidelberg is set to continue forging ahead with its customized ranges concept for straight and perfecting printing. While the SM 102 dominates the eight- to twelve-color perfecting press market, the Speedmaster 102 portfolio is augmented by special machines such as the Speedmaster Duo, which combines flexographic and offset printing, offline coating and other finishing machines or the CutStar sheeter. Machines with UV configurations for processing UV and hybrid ink systems are also available. These machines are helping to shape the current market trend for increased specialization. New enhancements to the Speedmaster SM 102 include the following: - Preset Plus feeder: This is the first feeder in 70x100 cm format to use a single central suction tape without guide rollers. It reduces makeready and makes the feeding process more stable. The Preset Plus feeder provides a whole raft of innovative solutions, not least the high-performance suction head and a completely new suction-tape control and sheet-alignment system, which features an automatic sheet-arrival control system, 65 percent sheet slowdown and a pneumatic pull lay even at top speed with perfect feed registration. Air and format settings on the Preset Plus feeder are automatically preset using the preset function. The control system receives the required printing stock parameters from the electronic job ticket which is based on the industry standard PPF/JDF (Print Production Format / Job Definition Format). This saves precious setup time and enhances reliability in production. - CutStar sheeter: Combining the Preset Plus feeder with the CutStar sheeter allows users to process lower cost and lighter-weight papers and size them exactly to the job at hand. CutStar also is also an ideal solution for label printers, as it efficiently handles metalized papers and synthetic label materials that can be problematic when run from pre-cut sheets. - Preset Plus delivery: Sheet travel, sheet drying and sheet stacking systems on the new Preset Plus delivery have been completely redesigned. Sheet travel is controlled using gripper bars that have been perfected in wind tunnel tests and computer simulations. The combination of these optimized gripper bars and the Venturi guide plate will mean sheets can be transported smoothly and dryer power can be increased without causing sheet travel problems. - DryStar 3000 dryers: The development of the new generation of DryStar 3000 dryers also forms part of Heidelberg's comprehensive approach to developing the new sheet-travel system. It is finely tuned to the air guidance system of the delivery and with more than 30 percent more power can reliably dry even the most demanding water-based coatings. The dryers and all the other peripheral units such as powder spray devices are centrally controlled from the CP2000 control console. Additional control panels on the sheet guide plates also allow fine-tuning of the air guidance and direct visual control of sheet travel. - Air system and sheet joggers: The turbulence-free delivery air system and new sheet joggers precisely align the edges of the pile which saves a great deal of work at the finishing stage. As with the feeder, all air and format settings are performed automatically via the preset function on the CP 2000 Center. This includes the sheet brakes which are adapted automatically to the selected format and can be used both for card and thin paper. As with the new feeder, changes to preset values can be saved for repeat jobs.