KENNESAW, Ga., October 4, 2004 – At Graph Expo/Converting Expo 2004, Heidelberg USA will unveil its new Stitchmaster ST 350 saddlestitcher, a high performance, semi-automated stitching system.   The new system, to be shown for the first time in North America following a successful global launch at drupa 2004, provides finishing professionals with an easy-to-use, flexible stitcher that is capable of handling nearly every saddle stitching need. The ST 350 incorporates a graphic touch screen display, new automated features and performance enhancements that make it the most user friendly and advanced system on the market.   “Our new saddlestitching technology is designed for professionals interested in improving the performance of their shop and upgrading for the future with the very latest in printing technology,” said Larry Tanowitz, senior vice president, finishing, Heidelberg USA. “We improved upon our existing stitcher by adding more features and improved performance based upon extensive testing and customer feedback.”   The machine is designed for a wide variety of applications at a performance range up to 12,000 cycles per hour. The ST 350 can handle paper sizes from 12 5/8”” x 18 7/8”” to 3 3/8”” x 5” that are high quality, consistent and easy to set-up. The system can also be integrated using JDF technology. Operating data captured on the ST 350 using JDF is transferred automatically to the industry software for calculating, production data and better job tracking. This makes the ST 350 a cost-effective, flexible alternative for industrial printers and finishing specialists.   The Stitchmaster ST 350 will be available in December 2004, when it will replace the Stitchmaster ST 300.   “We believe we are the leaders in workflow integration and at this year’s Graph Expo, we will demonstrate once again how our saddlestitching and finishing equipment can be easily linked with other equipment using the appropriate software,” said Tanowitz. “Heidelberg continues to develop new systems like the ST 350 and we believe that the success of our customers and the future of the industry need technology like this to be successful in the years to come.”     The ST 350 can quickly be adjusted to smaller formats using the newly developed trimmer infeed table. Thanks to the new independent servo driven saddle chain, helping to ensure a high-quality saddle stitched end product. Every aggregate has an operator panel that can be used to start, stop and inch the ST 350 with a touch of a button. The ST 350 features a separate saddle chain drive, allowing the saddle chain to be automatically synchronized to the stitcher and the feeders. Setup times are reduced since the feeders no longer have to be manually adjusted to the saddle chain.   Additional features on the ST 350 include:   • A feeder that can be adjusted both laterally and vertically in relation to the saddle chain and it can also be tilted by 50 degrees in order to use a sample gluer.   • A sample sheet holder so signatures can be inserted and attached to ensure reliable production.   • Sequential feeder monitoring which reports missing signatures and rejects incomplete copies.   • A patented register stop belt that makes it possible to guide signatures to the register stop without marking them.   • Newly developed scoring tools in the cover folder feeder to enhance scoring quality. The ST 350 stitches and cuts products while they are standing still.   • A two-step shuttle stitching process that can achieve a minimum distance between stitches.