Offset Printing
Hatteras Expands Capabilities with Heidelbergs Speedmaster XL 106 with Push to Stop Technology
Tuesday 13. February 2018 - Planning to double their productivity, Hatteras of Tinton Falls, New Jersey recently installed a new Speedmaster XL 106-4+LYY-P+L with Push-to-Stop technology from Heidelberg .
LPL Configuration Doubles Productivity
With the intent of dramatically increasing productivity as well as adding print embellishments, Hatteras installed the new Speedmaster XL 106 12-unit press – equipped with 8 print units, 2 coaters and 2 drying stations in an LPL Configuration (Print, Coat, Perfect, Print, Coat). This configuration enables Hatteras to better fulfill jobs that require 4-color printing and coating on both sides, which they identified as 50% of their workload after conducting a thorough review of their offset production data. Configured with DryStar LED (the most powerful LED system available) in addition to mercury UV lamps in the “Y-unit” drying station and delivery, Hatteras is ensured curing at 18,000 sheets per hour. Additional benefits of the press include the ability to cure UV or dry aqueous coatings on both sides of the sheet in a single pass as well as dramatic improvements in processing as full printed sheets move straight from delivery to the bindery.
“We knew the Speedmaster XL 106 was right for us. We are immediately seeing the benefits of one-pass production in our 4-color perfecting work. Were also seeing significant gains in quality and speed while driving our costs down at the same time,” said Bill Duerr, President of Hatteras.
The XL 106 is equipped with impressive automation to help shorten customer delivery times. With AutoPlate Pro, all plates are changed in less than 2.5 minutes without operator assistance. Prinect Inpress Control 2 allows Hatteras to automatically measure and control color and registration within the first 60 sheets. When coupled with Prinect Pressroom Manager and Intellistart 2, Hatteras also has fast, reliable job processing with the “Push to Stop” autonomous manufacturing approach, where job data, plate mounting, inking, color control and printing is completed automatically until told to stop. Additionally, the good sheet counter turns on and a tab is inserted automatically when the color reaches the LAB reference value, which reduces paper waste, set up time and cost per sheet – giving Hatteras a competitive edge.
“With all the automation and expanded capabilities we have with this press, we have increased our capacity significantly, which gives us the ability to grow and react to our customers needs for lower costs, increased quality, innovative applications and increased speed to market,” said Duerr. “It doesnt stop there as with any new technology weve added, there are advantages we knew we would gain on day one. But what really makes us excited are the new opportunities to innovate and add value with our customers. As we grow and expand, it allows us to stay relevant and gain an advantage over the competition.”
Proud Heidelberg Customers
While the new press will be an advantage to all customers, Hatteras expects that their pharmaceutical and retail clients will benefit the most from this press. The press also has the ability to do specialty coating effects that they could not offer before.
The new press runs alongside two 6-color Speedmaster XL 105s and a 6-color Speedmaster CD 102. With their previous offset presses, Hatteras already knew that they could expect the best sheetfed equipment from Heidelberg.
“We have been a Heidelberg shop since day one,” said Duerr. “We looked at competitive technology, and we really felt that Heidelberg had a leg up. We feel that the press configuration combined with Heidelbergs new Push to Stop technology gives us the best offset equipment in the market. We know we can depend upon Heidelberg, and were proud to work with them.”