Ambitious Printers Get It: Heidelberg Technology Is Synonymous with "State of the Art"
06/30/2009
Abbott Printing Installs Prepress, Press and Postpress Solutions
from Heidelberg
Kennesaw, Ga. - Heidelberg Systemservice now offers a new
Foundation Design option as part of its Installation and Relocation
Service for companies looking to install a new press, relocate
production or combine multiple plants.
Abbott Printing in Maitland, FL, recently took delivery of a Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 105 4-color press with aqueous coater, a Heidelberg Suprasetter 105 computer-to-plate device, and a fully automated Stahl TH 82 folder, also from Heidelberg.
According to general manager Bob Stokes, "The XL 105 absolutely has taken us to the next level. We used to be a half-size shop, but we now can compete with the full-size market. What's most impressive to me is that if a job aqueous coats - and it's probably safe to say that 60 percent of jobs these days are aqueous coated - there's not another press that can compete with the XL 105, even if it's an 8-color perfector with coating tower." He adds that the XL 105's larger format also has enabled the company to win more jobs by placing more up on a sheet. "And we don't fight marking," Stokes points out. "This truly is a markless press."
In full production since the end of March, Abbott's Speedmaster XL 105 is doing what it is supposed to do, Stokes adds, with a special nod to the integrated Inpress Control, which automatically measures and controls color and register on the fly at any speed.
"Inpress Control is phenomenal. We're down to five-minute makereadies and fewer than 200 sheets of paper to come up to color. Our savings on paper makeready alone is more than enough to justify the cost of the scanner," Stokes said. "In 36 years, I have never seen a piece of equipment like this with the capabilities and technology built into it to fully makeready a press sheet with no adjustments from the operator. And the Speedmaster XL 105 does it day in and day out. "
Simultaneous with the addition of the new Speedmaster XL 105, Abbott also installed an 8-up Suprasetter 105 CtP device to produce the 1800-2000 plates it runs each month on both the XL 105 and an existing Speedmaster CD 74 5-color perfector. The Suprasetter is equipped with multiple laser heads for additional speed. In Abbott's bindery, a new Stahl TH 82 folder with full automation and gatefold attachment has earned Stokes' admiration for makereadies that clock in at less than five minutes, with automatic adjustment of roller settings via electronic measurement of the substrate and buckle plate setting from the imposition library or retrieved from job memory.
"The device literally sets itself," Stokes explains. "You preprogram the makereadies, and the TH 82 automatically sets the gaps and buckle plate distance - and gets it right on the first try!"
The company also operates a pair of standalone POLAR cutters, and uses a range of Heidelberg Saphira pressroom consumables, including blankets and wash-up cloths.
Established in 1977, family owned and operated Abbott Printing is a high-quality, full-service commercial printer with an in-house mailing facility. The company employs a staff of 53.
Abbott Printing in Maitland, FL, recently took delivery of a Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 105 4-color press with aqueous coater, a Heidelberg Suprasetter 105 computer-to-plate device, and a fully automated Stahl TH 82 folder, also from Heidelberg.
According to general manager Bob Stokes, "The XL 105 absolutely has taken us to the next level. We used to be a half-size shop, but we now can compete with the full-size market. What's most impressive to me is that if a job aqueous coats - and it's probably safe to say that 60 percent of jobs these days are aqueous coated - there's not another press that can compete with the XL 105, even if it's an 8-color perfector with coating tower." He adds that the XL 105's larger format also has enabled the company to win more jobs by placing more up on a sheet. "And we don't fight marking," Stokes points out. "This truly is a markless press."
In full production since the end of March, Abbott's Speedmaster XL 105 is doing what it is supposed to do, Stokes adds, with a special nod to the integrated Inpress Control, which automatically measures and controls color and register on the fly at any speed.
"Inpress Control is phenomenal. We're down to five-minute makereadies and fewer than 200 sheets of paper to come up to color. Our savings on paper makeready alone is more than enough to justify the cost of the scanner," Stokes said. "In 36 years, I have never seen a piece of equipment like this with the capabilities and technology built into it to fully makeready a press sheet with no adjustments from the operator. And the Speedmaster XL 105 does it day in and day out. "
Simultaneous with the addition of the new Speedmaster XL 105, Abbott also installed an 8-up Suprasetter 105 CtP device to produce the 1800-2000 plates it runs each month on both the XL 105 and an existing Speedmaster CD 74 5-color perfector. The Suprasetter is equipped with multiple laser heads for additional speed. In Abbott's bindery, a new Stahl TH 82 folder with full automation and gatefold attachment has earned Stokes' admiration for makereadies that clock in at less than five minutes, with automatic adjustment of roller settings via electronic measurement of the substrate and buckle plate setting from the imposition library or retrieved from job memory.
"The device literally sets itself," Stokes explains. "You preprogram the makereadies, and the TH 82 automatically sets the gaps and buckle plate distance - and gets it right on the first try!"
The company also operates a pair of standalone POLAR cutters, and uses a range of Heidelberg Saphira pressroom consumables, including blankets and wash-up cloths.
Established in 1977, family owned and operated Abbott Printing is a high-quality, full-service commercial printer with an in-house mailing facility. The company employs a staff of 53.
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen
A technology provider and partner in the print media industry
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is with its sheetfed offset printing machines one of the leading solution providers for the print media industry. All over the world, the name Heidelberg is synonymous with state-of-the art technology, top quality, and closeness to the customer. The core business of this technology group covers the whole value-added and process chain for the 35 x 50 cm (13.78 x 19.69 in) to 121 x 162 cm (47.64 x 63.78 in) format classes in the sheetfed offset sector.
Heidelberg develops and produces precision printing presses, platesetters, postpress equipment, and software for integrating all the printshop processes. Environmental protection has an enduring importance in this regard. Solutions for the development, production, and utilization of presses help to conserve resources, reduce emissions, and cut wastage. The Heidelberg portfolio also provides general and consulting services ranging from spare parts and consumables to the sale of remarketed equipment, and training at the Print Media Academy.
Based in Heidelberg, Germany, with development and production sites in seven countries and around 250 sales offices across the globe, the company supports around 200,000 customers worldwide. All Heidelberg presses destined for the world market are manufactured at the Wiesloch-Walldorf site in line with strict quality standards. Standardized presses in all standard format classes and folding machines for the Chinese market are produced by Heidelberg in Qingpu near Shanghai.
Heidelberg presses worldwide produce high-quality print products such as business cards, brochures, posters, and folding cartons.
In financial year 2008/2009, Heidelberg recorded sales of EUR 2.999 billion. As at March 31, 2009, the Heidelberg Group had a workforce of 18,926 worldwide, including 707 trainees.
Media contact:
Jean-Marie Hershey
540-297-3556
jmh@writehandcom.com
