What do Lokay in Reinheim near Darmstadt, Pruskil in Gaimersheim near Ingolstadt, and Aumüller in Regensburg have in common? All three print shops have wholeheartedly embraced digitization, and are using state-of-the-art Speedmaster technology from the new drupa generation and the latest version of the print shop workflow Prinect 2017. All three are also unique in implementing the new Push to Stop philosophy, and are impressive proof that the “smart print shop” described at drupa is already a reality. This is how Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is further promoting digitization in the industry. 

Push to Stop is not a product; it is a philosophy that rethinks the workflows in a print shop. It offers a significant increase in productivity by intelligently linking different software solutions across all processes in the press room, combined with the right consumables and services. Under the Push to Stop philosophy, processes start autonomously instead of being started actively, and the operator only interrupts if necessary. This is achieved through comprehensive digitization and automation in combination with a well-thought-out human machine interface, the new Prinect Press Center XL 2.  

The benefits of the digitally integrated print shop consist of significantly improved business and production processes. “Our new Speedmaster CX 102 and Prinect 2017 have allowed us to reach an entirely new level of profitability, particularly with short runs, that would not have been possible with the old technology”, confirms Thomas Fleckenstein, authorized signatory at Lokay Druck. This is also corroborated by Thomas Kerndl, Technical Manager at Druck Pruskil: “The new Speedmaster XL 106 and autonomous printing will enable us to make inroads into the types of jobs where we could not compete on price six months ago.”

Aumüller Druck has been field testing a Speedmaster XL 106 from the drupa generation in its press room for the past year. Expectations have been greatly exceeded, with a permanent increase in productivity of over 20 percent compared with the previous Speedmaster XL 106. Two further presses were ordered at drupa, and will be installed next year.