October 28, 2003 -- The new StaticStar from Heidelberg is a group of static eliminators that Heidelberg has developed itself and has integrated seamlessly into the press. These eliminate electrostatic charges on the sheets and mean that even difficult printing stocks can be processed at high production speed. This ensures easy sheet separation, smooth sheet travel, even stacking and, consequently, fast finishing. This is particularly important for substrates such as plastic, coated paper or lightweight stocks. StaticStar is augmented by an extensive range of foil printing accessories for the Speedmaster CD 74. StaticStar will initially be available in two versions - the StaticStar Compact standard system and the StaticStar Advanced with an extended range of functions. The standard version can be recommended to all users looking to stabilize production speeds. StaticStar Advanced is aimed at label printers processing lightweight and/or coated stocks. StaticStar will be available from drupa 2004. It will be accompanied by an extensive range of special foil accessories for printing plastics. At the current time, StaticStar is only available on the Speedmaster CD 74, but there are plans to introduce it to the Speedmaster SM 102/CD 102. Miniaturized discharge electrodes Heidelberg has been able to miniaturize the electrodes used in StaticStar so that they are secured in the immediate proximity of sheet travel, for example at the rear edge of the delivery pile. The systems simultaneously discharge the sheets from above and below – ensuring optimum results. The discharge electrodes and ion blowers are augmented in the area of the feeder by additional Heidelberg-specific components. A new type of shingle blowing device fans out the shingle from below and thus prevents the “glass plate effect” typically encountered with foils where the one sheet adheres to another sheet. An additional guide roll can be swiveled onto the feedboard in order to stabilize the second sheet ahead of the front lays. The entire system has been designed so as to make operator intervention virtually unnecessary. The stream of air from the shingle blowing device can be adapted infinitely to the individual printing stock. All other system components simply need to be activated. StaticStar and the foil printing kit are clearly structured and easy to use. Setup times are therefore kept short.