Kennesaw, Ga. -- High-performance postpress and packaging solutions from Heidelberg can transform the bindery from a cost center to an engine of profitability. Visitors to Heidelberg’s booth (1200) at Print 09 are invited to view a number of these solutions, all of which will be integrated via Prinect Postpress Manager into the Prinect-driven production workflow around which the booth will be structured.  
 
"Heidelberg offers the most comprehensive Postpress product line in the print industry. Finishing increasingly is becoming an area of differentiation and focus of profitability. Heidelberg’s postpress portfolio and direction is focused on modular platforms that allow for applications flexibility, maximize productivity, and improve operational cost efficiency," said Dan Maurer, Vice President Postpress Product Management.
 
Folding Carton Gluing
Print 09 also will mark the North American debut of the Easygluer 100 folding carton gluer and the KAMA ProCut 74 automatic finishing diecutter with foil stamping. The Easygluer 100 is a highly automated, remotely controllable, carton maker that can turn out up to 50,000 lockbottom cartons per hour at a speed of 1000 feet per minute. The Easygluer 100’s innovative design enables users to process a wide range of materials and formats with high quality and productive results. The standard configuration is able to glue straight-line, lockbottom and double-wall cartons. Options include a 4- and 6-corner carton module, and miniature carton, pocket folder, and CD envelope attachments. Optional blank alignment module and motorized makeready significantly reduce set-up times.
 
Die Cutting
The compact KAMA ProCut 74 makes easy work of high-quality die-cutting, creasing, kiss-cutting, hot or cold embossing, hot foil stamping, hologram stamping, and hot cutting — even for shops that are newcomers to value-added finishing.  For small format shops, a new 20” ProCut 53 version is also now available. KAMA ProCut diecutters are ideally suited for shops with either clam shell or cylinder die cutters.  Enhanced with new vacuum feed table, motorized cutting pressure adjustment, anti-static system and more, this multi-tasking die cutter can change from one application to another with ease, making the processing and finishing of small runs profitable. A new quick-change system option ensures even faster job changes when carrying out hot foil stamping.  
 
Automated Cutting
Live in the postpress area, the InterTech Award-winning POLAR P.A.C.E. cutting system configured for fully automatic loading, cutting, and offloading by a single operator will demonstrate the ultimate in cutting efficiency. Bottlenecks at the cutter are relics of the past thanks to features like the Autoturn turning gripper, which positions reams on the rear table and aligns them for trimming; and automatic removal of cutting waste. The system either saves one operator by the conventional two-man operation or doubles the efficiency of a system operated by a single person. Even the jogging process can be carried out without any operator by integrating the fully automated new Autojog jogging system into the cutting system.
 
Folding and Stitching
Visitors interested in other bindery processes can see the versatile Stitchmaster ST 450 saddlestitcher and the highly productive Stahlfolder TH 82 combination buckle-plate folder with TSH + SPA integrated twin stacker.

Flexible and modular, the Stahlfolder TH 82 presents a new dimension of professional folding that reduces changeover times through intelligent automation and ergonomic operation. Paper thickness is measured and used to automatically define the basic settings for the roller spacings, while taking into account the fold type and paper characteristics. Job-specific settings can also be saved to accelerate makeready for repeat jobs. A large range of modular deliveries ensures outstanding finished quality, ergonomics, and functionality while boosting output. The TSH + SPA twinstacker will be shown offering mark free delivery with over 10 feet of finished product capacity.   The TSH is fully integrated with the folder, enabling the operator to adjust folder parameters during the run while inspecting output quality at the delivery. Overall output increases with total workflow integration via Prinect Postpress Manager.
 
Stitchmaster ST 450
Heidelberg’s Stitchmaster ST 450 delivers greater productivity, increased flexibility and the ability to handle a broad range of applications at speeds to 14,000 cycles per hour.  Maximizing the capability of this production speed, the ST450 incorporates Dynamic Offset, which synchronizes all timing parameters within the ST450 to the chain speed. Mobile servo-driven feeders allows the ST450 to be configured based on the requirements of the job, or share pockets between multiple ST450’s optimizing investment. Available options extend the wide range of applications. For example, one or more sample gluers can be deployed for applying booklets, cards, merchandise or CDs.  Cameras and bar code readers can be added to pockets for signature verification, ink jetting, calendar punching, trimmer knives for 2- or 3-up applications, and knife folder for meeting new postal regulation applications. The ST 450 ‘s JDF-capable control system also accepts presetting data from prepress and returns production data. Stored makeready parameters for repeat jobs are easy to retrieve using a job manager.
 
Ties that Bind
Introduced at drupa 2008, Prinect Postpress Manager is the first system in the industry to enable full-service print shops to integrate finishing machines into their workflow for dramatically reduced makereadies, job transparency and efficiency tracking. Also at work in the Heidelberg booth at Print 09 will be POLAR P-Net, which makes it possible to integrate individual POLAR components or POLAR cutting systems into the digital workflow through P-Net Connect; and POLAR Compucut, which automatically generates cutting programs using prepress data.