All change for Heidelberg increased automation

Four 500-sheet jobs printed in 18 minutes on a Monday morning start-up press – no ink on rollers, no plates loaded – is benchmark offset technology.

The high-end offset printing industry took a step nearer complete hands off printing with Tuesday nights demonstration at the company Notting Hill HQ. A select audience of owners, executives and managers from some of the largest printing companies in the country saw a Speedmaster XL 105-6LX put through its paces with the first ever local showing of Heidelberg’s Simultaneous Plate Change technology.

With an average of two-three minutes changeover between jobs, the press ran up to its top rated speed of 1800 sph within less than 100 sheets. A truly impressive display of automation, the down loaded print parameters that adjusted the settings for the different jobs meant the press operator was simply there to position the plates.

The jobs were run on different stocks – 148 to 360 gsm – with no manual adjustments to the press registration or ink settings. The Prinect Inpress Control was shown large for the benefit of the audience, demonstrating that while printers may still pull a sheet for physical inspection, there is really no need any more.

It’s a long way from the 27 minutes to change over an MO press that Alastair Hadley related as the best possible performance in 1992.

The demonstration was a convincing demonstration to those in the industry with the million plus sheets per week who can make good use of the high-end productivity enhancement. It is undoubtedly the way of the future. Since Heidelberg introduced Simultaneous Plate Change at last drupa it has sold 1,500 presses worldwide with the technology 200 printing units in Australia and New Zealand.

According to Alastair Hadley the technology is engaging the interest print business leaders. “We already have a number of customers using this technology and many prospects for upcoming investment. The future is simultaneously bright and exciting,” he said.