Innovation for competitiveness and efficiency

Picture: ©Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG

We have modernised our machinery and invested in a new Speedmaster XL 106 from HEIDELBERG.

The dynamic nature of the printing industry requires print shops worldwide to strike a balance between cost-effective printing, the shortage of skilled labour and the pursuit of sustainability. In terms of competitiveness, the cost per printed sheet plays a decisive role. These were some of the reasons for purchasing a new Heidelberg press. The latest generation – the Speedmaster XL 106 – addresses these challenges with a wealth of innovative functions. These features, which not only reduce costs but also minimise the shortage of skilled workers, strengthen our future viability.

The modernised Speedmaster XL 106 of the Peak Performance Generation is capable of printing an impressive 21,000 sheets per hour. Autonomous printing is now possible in our packaging production thanks to the advanced Push-to-Stops concept. ‘We expect a significant reduction in makeready and set-up times as well as general downtime to improve the efficiency of our printing at a low cost per carton,’ says Mike Günther, Managing Director of colordruck Baiersbronn

Furthermore, the XL106 sets new standards in terms of user experience (UX). The machine’s ergonomic design further contributes to this goal. According to HEIDELBERG, compared to the PowderStar Pro, the new PowderStar XL (Duo) reduces powder consumption by up to 15 percent and powder contamination inside the machine and its surroundings by up to 45 percent.

By integrating insulation into the boom, a cross-flow heat exchanger, and an optimized dryer cassette design, the new DryStar Combination Eco is engineered to reduce energy consumption during the drying process. This allows us to focus on a specific production step: the energy-efficient drying of our printed sheets.

Thanks to the innovative Prinect workflow system, we can also reduce our waste while simultaneously advancing digitization, which saves us valuable time. For Intellistart 3, HEIDELBERG reports approximately 70 percent fewer operating steps at the Press Center. The Color Assistant Pro system enables fully automatic color presetting and reduces the need for manual intervention.

According to the manufacturer, this can save up to four minutes in setup time and reduce waste by up to 150 sheets per job.

The savings figures cited represent technical potential as stated by the manufacturer. The actual results achievable depend, among other factors, on the job, the material, and the machine settings.