KENNESAW, Ga., August 30, 2004 – At Graph Expo/Converting Expo 2004, Heidelberg USA will unveil its Suprasetter range, a new generation of thermal external-drum platesetters. Heidelberg’s extensive knowledge of computer-to-plate imaging combined with its expertise in the prepress, press and postpress sectors enabled the company to design a cost-effective gateway to thermal technology coupled with the flexibility for subsequent system expansion, all in a single machine. The new computer-to-plate imagesetter, to be shown for the first time in North America following a successful global debut at drupa 2004, was developed in-house by Heidelberg and supports all Heidelberg plate formats for sheetfed and commercial web offset. With five different speeds, various automation settings from manual to fully automatic and a high-performance system with Multi Cassette Loader (MCL), the Suprasetter sets new standards in the prepress sector. “As a leader in prepress design and technology, Heidelberg continues to offer the most advanced equipment in the industry, leading in the development of CtP technology,” said Ray Cassino, director of prepress product management. “With new configurations and advanced user-friendly applications, the Suprasetter is the latest in CtP design. As the industry continues to change, the Suprasetter’s flexibility and versatility will enable customers to stay ahead of the competition for many years to come.” Users have access to a wide variety of add-on options that meet all of their needs while simultaneously remaining flexible for subsequent adaptations. The Suprasetter features an end-to-end modular concept that provides a great deal of investment security. The system is available in two basic models: the Suprasetter 74 and Suprasetter 105. These models are available in a variety of speeds with punching options and additional automation options for easy plate handling. The customer benefits of the Suprasetter range include the following: - Wide format range for the printroom - The Suprasetter range supports all standard plate formats. The Suprasetter 74 is compatible with all Heidelberg presses and many presses from other manufacturers, from the Quickmaster QM 46 to the Speedmaster CD 74. Additionally the Suprasetter 105 images the printing plate format of the new Speedmaster XL 105 and web offset presses. The option of imaging with centered or edge register integrates plate production into both sheetfed and the web offset processes. - Scalable concept for different throughput requirements - The Suprasetter offers a wide range of plate throughput options due to its modular design. The more laser modules a Suprasetter contains, the greater the imaging speed. Additional laser modules can be retrofitted rapidly on site after the unit has been installed, providing customers with the option of easily expanding or upgrading the machine at any time. In the S version, the Suprasetter 74 images up to 19 plates per hour, while the H version produces up to 30 plates per hour. In 8-page format, the Suprasetter E105 images up to 14 plates per hour and the Suprasetter S105 images up to 19 plates per hour. The Suprasetter H105 images up to 30 plates per hour. These five models in total support many different requirements and levels of automation. - Intelligent security systems for a stable production process - The laser modules in the Suprasetter feature an intelligent diode system (IDS) that monitors the level of performance. The IDS sends a report to the operator at an early stage and, should performance fall below a specific threshold, looks to the left or right of the failed diode to find the largest possible grouping of active diodes. Optimum production can then be maintained using these active diodes. The Suprasetter therefore ensures precise, constant imaging quality at all times. A permanent temperature control system evens out variations in the ambient temperature. It maintains both the individual laser heads and the plate drum in the Suprasetter at a constant temperature, so that imaging can be performed independently of the ambient temperature and always under the same conditions to ensure exact plate remakes. - One automation concept for two families - The concept behind the Suprasetter’s modularity also encompasses the entire product family of the Prosetter. The manual basic units of both of these series can be extended and the system as a whole expanded simply by adding a Single Cassette Loader (SCL) or Multi Cassette Loader (MCL). This is a significant benefit when converting from one imaging technology to another. The SCL performs the loading operation then transports the imaged plate via an integrated conveyor to the online processor for development. The SCL ensures automatic removal of the interleaving sheet and stacks up to 400 sheets in an integrated collection tray. For more flexibility and automation when using multiple formats, the system can be expanded with the new Multi Cassette Loader, which holds a total of up to 600 printing plates ready for fully automated plate production. With the MCL, cassettes can be exchanged while imaging is underway, significantly reducing machine downtime. - Smart Plate Handling ensures flexibility - The Suprasetter provides an intelligent innovation for flexible handling of printing plates with the Smart Plate Handling concept. In the case of automatic operation with SCL or MCL, Smart Plate Handling makes it possible to load individual plates manually from the front of the unit at any time and thus fit in urgent jobs. The system gives users the automation they need while still allowing the necessary flexibility for working with more than one plate format. - Perfect integration into the overall process - More than ever, the integration of all operations into a standardized workflow is the key factor determining the performance and hence the cost-effectiveness of a system. The Suprasetter can be easily integrated into a JDF-based Prinect Printready prepress workflow. This secure data format has enormous advantages because it guarantees maximum plate throughput by decoupling it from the workflow. The plates of the individual printing forms can be called up easily at the CP2000 press control system at any time, allowing the user to control plate production independently. This function is called “Plate on Demand” and will be available in October after the Graph Expo show.