September 4, 2003 -- At GraphExpo in Chicago, Heidelberg will introduce a new 20-inch press, the Printmaster PM 52. The new press offers simple, direct operation, exceptional print quality and high reliability in production. It is available in one- to five-color models with a wide range of special accessories so that customers can tailor the press to their precise needs. Throughout the show, Heidelberg will conduct presentations and demonstrations for the Printmaster PM 52 at its booth, #1000. Other new sheetfed developments will also be highlighted and demonstrated, from entry level products up to high-end presses such as the Speedmaster SM 74 10-color perfecting press and specialty solutions. “The Printmaster PM 52 is a great example of Heidelberg’s continued development of exciting innovations for the sheetfed market,” said Steen Jensen, senior vice president, sheetfed, Heidelberg USA. The Printmaster PM 52 is positioned between the Printmaster GTO 52 and the Speedmaster SM 52. It represents the ideal route to growth for small and midsize businesses that print a wide range of commercial jobs such as advertising material, brochures, business cards, stationery and annual reports. “The Printmaster PM 52 has added another attractive feature to our 20 inch product portfolio”, explains Dr. Klaus Spiegel, the Member of the Management Board at Heidelberg responsible for sheetfed offset. “This means that we are offering our key customers, small and midsize printshops, an exciting scalable press in the 20-inch market, which can also help in their efforts towards process automation”, continues Dr. Spiegel. In this highly competitive market segment, customers have to react quickly and flexibly to the needs of the market and meet customers’ high expectations in terms of quality, the range of printing materials and keeping to deadlines. To round off the solution concept for this market segment, Heidelberg also offers corresponding CtP imagesetters such as the Prosetter 52. In the finishing sector, the Polar 78 high-speed cutter, Stahlfolder Ti 40 and Stitchexpert are ideal for automatic production of brochures. Investment security thanks to modern and reliable technology The Printmaster PM 52 works at a maximum speed of 13,000 sheets per hour, a maximum print format of 14.56'' x 20.47'' and a printing stock thickness of between 0.0012" x 0.016". It can therefore print everything from light-weight paper to cardboard and padded envelopes. All the control and monitoring functions are operated from the PressControl control panel at the simple press of a button. Even in the standard model, circumferential and lateral registers, the ink fountain roller and the dampening ductor can be controlled remotely. The entire operating concept is simple and easy to understand and employs the “1 button = 1 function” principle. The user will also find this standardized operating philosophy in other Heidelberg machines, for example, in the Printmaster PM 74. High productivity levels are achieved with the EasyPlate plate clamping system, which features an automatic positioning run. In a few simple steps and using only one tool, this technology allows the operator to change the printing plate quickly and with complete register accuracy. The controls of the suction tape feeder ensure secure and stable production. The high-volume 18-roller inking system can handle demanding print motifs. The optional short-path inking mode also helps to reduce the reaction time to a minimum when working on jobs with low ink consumption. The Alcolor direct continuous dampening system ensures fast and stable ink/water balance. For even greater convenience and productivity, Heidelberg also offers AutoPlate, the ClassicCenter remote ink control system and an automatic blanket washup device as special accessories. The optional fully automatic sheet-reversing device further increases flexibility and productivity while maintaining secure and register-accurate sheet transfer. The Printmaster PM 52 becomes even more versatile with the inline option for numbering and perforation. “After a short period of familiarization, the Printmaster PM 52 has already become one of the vital cornerstones of our production”, comments Vincent Sluis, owner of Sluis Grafisch Bedrijf BV in the Netherlands and the first user of the new press. Established 75 years ago, this family business now has a workforce of twenty. “The new machine will enable us to meet the rising demand for four-color jobs and short delivery times. The fully automatic sheet reversal makes this press the ideal means of production for our job structure,” summarizes Sluis. Aside from Printmaster GTO 52 and Speedmaster SM 52, the new Printmaster PM 52 rounds of Heidelberg's product portfolio in the 35 x 50 cm format range. Heidelberg offers the optimal means of production for all customer needs, from entering in quality offset printing, including growing with different automation levels and up to industrial print production.