New Heidelberg Installations at U.S. Printing Operations
Winchester Printers Removes Prepress Bottlenecks with Suprasetter 105
Winchester Printers, Inc., Winchester, VA, recently installed a Heidelberg Suprasetter 105 SCL with Prepress Manager workflow, replacing a Heidelberg Prosetter, to take advantage of the efficiencies made possible by the automated features of the new thermal platesetting system.
The management team of Winchester Printers said, “This automation has enabled us to eliminate the bottlenecks that use to impede our production. The daylight load Suprasetter with its Saphira Chemfree thermal plates and automatic plate stacker enables the unit to run virtually unattended, which has lowered our operating costs.”
Winchester Printers, Inc. is a family owned and operated full-service commercial printer having served the needs of businesses, universities, organizations, and associations throughout northern Virginia and parts of Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania for more than half a century. In addition to its Prinect-based prepress workflow, the company also operates a Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 102 2-color perfector, a 6-color Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 74 perfecting press with in-line coating tower, a 4-color SM 74 perfecting press and a pair of Heidelberg Printmaster QM 46 2-color machines, as well as a Heidelberg Windmill letterpress. The bindery hosts a POLAR 45” programmable guillotine cutter with paper handling capabilities, and a Heidelberg Stitchmaster ST 100 8-pocket plus cover feeder saddlestitcher with Rima stacker. Given its robust capabilities and commitment to superior customer service, it’s no wonder Winchester Printers prides itself on exemplifying “Old Fashioned Values with Today’s Technologies.”
“In our experience, it is easy to partner with Heidelberg,” Hottle said. “Heidelberg has always supported us with fast, efficient service and high quality equipment. We do not see a reason to go anywhere else.”
High performance for medium formats: Suprasetter 105 .
Operators Applaud as Senate Print Shop Selects Muscular Cutting Solution from POLAR
The Printing, Graphics and Direct Mail Department of the U.S. Senate in Washington, DC, recently took delivery of a POLAR 92X high-speed programmable paper cutter with jogger and scale to shoulder the cutting load previously handled by a 15-year-old competitive cutter.
As a former independent electrical contractor with experience installing and servicing all kind of printing equipment, Buddy Pritchett—like his colleagues in the Bindery department—not only considered POLAR cutters to be top-of-the-line, but also had enough field experience to confirm that POLAR cutters seldom broke down and had minimal service requirements. The POLAR 92X is also equipped with OptiKnife knife-changing system, automatic graphic programming, and the major functions for an automated working sequence.
“In terms of the production work we do on paper and card stock materials, the new POLAR is every bit as capable as any of our other production cutters—and then some,” said Reprographics specialist Buddy Pritchett, who cites the new cutter’s superior mechanical strength as a big plus for the heavier work it will be called upon to perform. “With this particular application,” Pritchett said, “Strength and cycling were major issues. Given the POLAR’s mechanical drive, we knew we wouldn’t have to deal with jams when handling heavier stocks like chipboard. It’s just more capable.” He gets no argument from his operators, all of whom are “glad we chose POLAR.” The print shop bindery also operates three hardworking Stahlfolders.
With a staff of 40, the Senate print shop produces a wide variety of printed materials for United States Senators and their committees.
Programmable, efficient cutting in medium-sized formats: POLAR 92X .
Ry-Gan Printing Opts for Green Automation with Suprasetter 75
Ry-Gan Printing, Inc., a self-described custom trade printer in Rochester, NY, boasts an all-Heidelberg lineup of software and equipment from its Prinect-based prepress workflow to its pressroom and bindery. The company recently replaced its Heidelberg Prosetter violet platesetter with a thermal Suprasetter 75 CtP system with automatic plate-loading to take advantage of the opportunity to “get greener” by using less chemistry and fewer consumables, as well as to manage its personnel more effectively.
“Don’t get me wrong, we loved our Prosetter,” said Craig Schinsing, the company’s president, “but it made good sense for us to upgrade from a manual to an automated system that would free the operator for other tasks. We also realize significant savings in terms of our chemistry and consumables usage, as well as in employee time management.”
The company produces between 500 and 600 plates each month for its four hardworking presses, which include 2- and 4-color Speedmaster SM 52s, and a Speedmaster SM 74 4-color press with high-pile delivery, dryer and coater.
The company’s long-term relationship with Heidelberg guarantees access to “service when we need it,” Schinsing said. “We do our own maintenance, but Heidelberg technicians are always available to keep us running day in and day out, when necessary. That’s the kind of assurance that makes Heidelberg technology worth the extra price in the long run.”
Founded in 1996 and with annual sales revenue of $2 million, Ry-Gan Printing’s staff of 10 produces newsletters, envelopes, postcards, posters, brochures, pocket folders, mailers, and static-cling, foil, plastic and vinyl printed products for a primarily regional clientele.
Outstanding performance with a compact, space-saving footprint: Suprasetter A75 .
Print Harmony Installs Printmaster QM 46: ‘Automation Is Where the Money Is’
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- Heidelberg