Offset Printing

The COLORMAN, XXL installation at the Lübecker Nachrichten

Since February this year the COLORMAN, XXL has been producing the Lübecker Nachrichten, one of North Germany’s leading newspapers.

Wednesday 26. August 2009 - Made-to-measure XXL press for Lübecker Nachrichten

Men are smarter than women, the earth is flat, and the COLORMAN, XXL is only for the biggest newspaper houses. None of these claims stand up to close examination. A COLORMAN, XXL is also the right press for low-circulation newspapers when it fits the production structure – as is the case with Druckhaus Lübeck.
The Lübecker Nachrichten stands for 127 years of journalistic tradition and appears from Tuesday through Sunday with a circulation of 105,000 copies with eight regional editions. In 2007 the company decided to replace a COLORMAN with a COLORMAN, XXL from manroland. The COLORMAN, XXL has a worldwide installed base of more than 1,300 printing couples that deliver outstanding efficiency and quality and it has been proven: the XXL also fits the production structure in Lübeck despite the relatively low circulations. Technical manager Peter Demmer explains the publishing company’s objective: “We wanted to efficiently produce high print quality at a considerably lower cost per copy. The printing technology and automation of the COLORMAN, XXL combined with printnet networking meets these requirements in an ideal manner.” The challenge here was to install the new single-level printing system in the hall of an existing paper store. The architect had the roof raised and the printing system was fitted in “like with a shoehorn but without diminishing the pressline’s customary high level of operating comfort,” according to manroland project manager Gerhard Bartl.
The installation of the COLORMAN, XXL started in September 2008. On 18 December, one week before Christmas Day, it produced newspapers and started real production of preprinted sections on 28 January 2009. Monday 16 February 2009 was the big day: the entire production of the Lübecker Nachrichten was moved to the new press. Project Manager Bartl was very satisfied with how the installation went: “Project preparation by the customer and us was outstanding which paid off in a trouble-free installation. The press was actually ready to start production earlier than planned.”
Professionally networked: the COLORMAN, XXL in Lübeck
The COLORMAN, XXL is intended to ensure the Lübecker Nachrichten of economical and future-oriented production. With a cylinder circumference of 1,020 millimeters and a maximum web width of 2,100 millimeters, the COLORMAN, XXL runs at a top speed of 45,000 cylinder revolutions per hour. The press in Lübeck is equipped with two eight-couple towers each with two stacked H-type printing units in the 9-cylinder system for blanket-to-steel printing. Optimal logistics are provided by the AUROload fully automatic reel loading system with two paper reel transport units. Lübeck is also professionally networked for highly efficient production – they have been working for years with the printnet OM output management system from ppi Media and are fully satisfied with it.
Comprehensive training
An important factor in the success of the Lübeck startup was a training package that provided operating and maintenance instruction while the project was proceeding. The training took place in Augsburg using components in the factory and in the Print Technology Center. Besides the control console training given there, the Lübeck staff also went to drive and automation specialist Baumüller in Nuremberg to learn about that company’s latest technology. This was all rounded off by training given by the manroland technicians at the installation site who gave the Lübeck staff tips and advice from their many years of experience with press commissioning.
This project proves that the COLORMAN, XXL is also suitable for industrial-scale production at medium-sized newspaper houses.