Speedmaster XL 106

At drupa 2012, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) unveiled the Speedmaster XL 106 - the new flagship of its Peak Performance Class. Since the Speedmaster XL 105 made its debut at drupa 2004, it has been setting standards in terms of production speed, print stability, and output and has become a market success, with over 1,200 units installed worldwide. As the logical successor to the Speedmaster XL 105, the Speedmaster XL 106 represents a new performance class for industrial commercial, label, and packaging printing. Operating at speeds of up to 18,000 sheets per hour in both straight and perfecting modes, it achieves exceptional productivity and processes a wide range of substrates up to 1.0 mm (0.039 in) thick (in perfecting mode, up to 0.8 mm/0.031 in thick). Thanks to the larger 75 x 106 cm (29.53 x 41.73 in) sheet format, the maximum print format of 74 x 105 cm (29.13 x 41.34 in) can now be utilized in its entirety, which means a larger punching margin for packaging printers and more repeats per sheet for web-to-print gang forms. The Speedmaster XL 106 achieves new dimensions in productivity thanks to extremely straightforward operation and the interplay between preset functions, ink presettings, simultaneous plate changing with AutoPlate XL, and Prinect Inpress Control. All this makes the press another 20 to 30 percent more productive than the Speedmaster XL 105. Depending on the particular job structure, it can produce between 60 and 80 million sheets a year with ease and change between 90,000 and 100,000 printing plates a year on an eight-color press.

The new press will be available as of drupa 2012, when it will replace the Speedmaster XL 105. In the run-up to drupa, Heidelberg has already received orders for over 30 Speedmaster XL 106 presses.

"With our new flagship, the Speedmaster XL 106, we now offer the broadest portfolio in the 70 x 100 cm format. We have the perfect technology for every customer, adapted to the relevant market requirements," says Stephan Plenz, member of the Management Board responsible for Heidelberg Equipment. "The Speedmaster XL 106 is the latest development in the Peak Performance Class and the most high-tech press in our industry, boasting unrivaled productivity in everyday operation. It is intended for print shops with a wide range of materials, large print volumes, or frequent job changes. We are also catering to packaging printers, who will be able to benefit from the machine's output of 18,000 sheets per hour for applications such as one- or two-color perfecting printing," he continues.

Not one but two Speedmaster XL 106 presses will be on show at the Heidelberg stand in Hall 1 as a response to the HEI Productivity market trend - a perfecting press in the commercial printing section and a six-color straight-printing press with dual-coating configuration in the packaging printing section.

Inkjet systems integrated in the press for greater added value

Integration of an inkjet device from Inkdustry in conjunction with Prinect Inspection Control makes it possible to check individual repeats using a PDF comparison and mark specific repeats as waste. Such repeats can then be automatically identified and ejected by postpress equipment such as the folding carton gluing machine. The resultant one hundred percent control in print production has the benefit of complying with the safety guidelines of sectors such as the pharmaceuticals industry. It also cuts costs, because individual repeats rather than the entire sheet are identified as waste and ejected in the folding carton gluing machine. This has the added advantage of preventing over-production.

The ability to imprint additional, customized alphanumeric codes generates extra added value. Up to twelve inkjet heads employing the continuous inkjet method can be integrated into the coating unit. Simultaneous coating and imprinting is possible despite the fact that no additional unit is needed for the inkjet device. Non-absorbent materials can also be printed using solvent-based inks.