Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is to present its new Speedmaster SX models at drupa 2012. The world market leader is thus responding to the changing market conditions in the print media industry by offering the broadest product portfolio for sheetfed offset printing. The new Speedmaster SX models from Heidelberg combine the cutting-edge technology of the Speedmaster XL class with the tried-and-tested platform of the Speedmaster SM series to form a new performance class. This new series focuses first and foremost on the needs of the commercial printing segment and is primarily geared towards print shops in emerging markets and customers in industrialized countries who are on a growth path and now want to take their productivity to a new level. "Now more than ever, it's important to offer customers machines tailored precisely to their requirements, so they can position themselves successfully and competitively in the changed market environment," says Stephan Plenz, member of the Management Board responsible for Heidelberg Equipment. "Following the resounding success of the new Speedmaster CX 102 - with over 1,000 printing units sold in just a year - the next logical step is to build up the new SX generation." 

Broadest product portfolio for sheetfed offset printing provides the optimum solution for every requirement 

As of drupa 2012 Heidelberg will offer a wide-ranging press portfolio for commercial, packaging and label printers. It is divided into three areas - the Speedmaster SM and CD models, the Speedmaster SX and CX models, and the Speedmaster XL models.

In the SM portfolio, the standardized two- and four-color Speedmaster SM 52 and SM 74 models are ideal for small and medium-sized commercial print shops looking to satisfy growing customer requirements. The extended range of standard features offers an optimum price-performance ratio and paves the way for growth in high-end offset printing. The wide range of standard features and the successful technology of the Speedmaster SM 102 offer reliability in production and investment security thanks to high print quality, established reliability, and excellent value retention. 

The Peak Performance class of presses from Heidelberg is unrivaled in the industry and has been setting standards in production speed, print stability, and output since 2004. Print shops looking for maximum productivity coupled with top quality are sure to gain a crucial competitive edge with the Speedmaster XL 75, XL 105, XL 145, and XL 162 models. 

The new Speedmaster SX models deliver outstanding print quality, high stability in production, intuitive and ergonomic operation, and a high level of automation. They offer a wide range of configurations with coating unit, perfecting device, and many additional features including an automatic washup device, static electricity eliminator, and color measuring instruments. In addition to the new ergonomic design, these models also benefit from the high-performance Prinect Press Center control station with the process-oriented Intellistart operator guidance system, which automatically determines and implements the optimum process sequence for job changes. The new Color Assistant Pro software ensures fully automated monitoring of the ink fountain liner, self-calibration of the ink zones, and automatic and intelligent adjustment of characteristic curves. This means that color presettings are even more precise and reproducible. A new surface technology for the exchangeable jackets of impression and transfer cylinders - PerfectJacket Blue and TransferJacket Blue - ensure a far longer service life and extended washup intervals. This significantly increases the availability of the equipment.

As a pioneer of green printing, Heidelberg has been developing solutions to eliminate or reduce CO2, process emissions, and waste for many years. That is why the technology of the Speedmaster SX models sets standards in more than just productivity. The new models require minimal air support for sheet travel and are equipped with highly efficient peripherals from the Star range. Their high energy and resource efficiency make them the most environmentally friendly machines in their class. A measuring device can be used to measure and display the machine's energy efficiency per 1,000 sheets for specific jobs during production. All SX presses support alcohol-reduced / alcohol-free printing and can be supplied on a carbon-neutral basis.

The Speedmaster SX 52 and SX 74 models are available now and the Speedmaster SX 102 will be supplied from September 2012. "The SX models are ideal for the growth markets in Asia and South America," says Plenz. "But they also offer many print shops in industrialized countries the opportunity to take their productivity to a new level and develop their portfolio."

Heidelberg at drupa 2012 

Today's print media service providers are faced with a dynamic and challenging market. Companies that want to achieve success in such an environment need to optimize their business models by seizing on market trends in the industry and using them to their advantage. 

During drupa 2012, from May 3 to 16, Heidelberg will be showcasing in Hall 1 an extended portfolio of products and solutions that have been developed specifically for the latest market requirements. 
The trade show presentation, held under the banner "Discover HEI", will center on lean production (HEI Productivity), green printing (HEI Eco), web-to-print (HEI Integration), short-run-printing (HEI Flexibility), differentiation through coatings and special effects (HEI Emotions), the future of packaging printing (HEI End), and gaining an edge through the latest know-how (HEI School). The company is exhibiting solutions that enable print shops and postpress businesses to meet the latest market requirements in full. 

www.drupa.heidelberg.com 


For further information, please contact: 
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG 
Corporate Public Relations 
Hilde Weisser 
Phone: +49 (0)6221 92 5066 
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 5069 
E-mail: [email protected]