Heidelberg shows waste reduction and short make-ready times on VLFs

More than 100 packaging printers visited Heidelberg’s Wiesloch-Walldorf plant in September to see the efficiency of the Speedmaster XL 145 and XL 162 large-format presses. 
 
Heidelberg offers a complete, integrated software, service and machine portfolio incorporated into an end-to-end packaging workflow that extends from the initial folding carton design right through to palletization.  Some 40 per cent of all large-format (VLF) presses manufactured by Heidelberg to date have been purchased by packaging printers around the world.  The event included presentations by two users, one American and one German.

The cost-cutting potential of these presses goes from presetting, parallel washing and automatic plate changes to in-line measuring systems such as Inpress Control, color management adapted to large-format production, flat sheet travel, high-performance dryers, and non-stop feeder/delivery.  The VLF presses offer all that is needed for rapid job changes and maximum flexibility in packaging printing.  Heidenreich Print (Germany) and RockTenn (USA) both reported make-ready times of just 12 to 22 minutes, depending on the image.  The presses are inked-up after around 150 waste sheets and production speeds of 12,000 to 15,000 sheets per hour are regularly achieved.  These figures compare most favourably with the current industry norm.
 
The Prinect Inpress Control in-line measuring system makes a key contribution to cutting make-ready times, stabilizing production and maximizing production speeds.  Analysis shows how this technology can deliver savings of up to €530,000 per year and boost capacity by more than 30 per cent in high-run packaging printing.  According to Hendrik Heidenreich: ‘The XL 145 is a full shift faster than its same-size predecessor.’  Heidelberg calculates that on short-run package printing a Speedmaster XL 162 five-color press, with coating unit and extended delivery, can achieve annual savings as high as €730,000.