MPS starts work with 18-unit Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 106

The platform, said to be the most versatile machine that Heidelberg has ever produced for packaging printing in the premium sector, comprises 11 printing, three coating and four drying units, as well as FoilStar in-line cold foiling system. The Speedmaster XL 106, which prints at a top speed of 18,000 sheets per hour, is further equipped with the new Prinect Inspection Control 2 and Image Control 3 quality and color measurement systems. Prinect Image Control 3 scans with spectrophotometric measuring heads and a resolution of 200 DPI. For more than a year, MPS monitored a field test with Image Control 3 on its 17-unit Speedmaster XL 106. The 18-unit machine has now passed its final acceptance tests after installation.

Tim Whitfield, executive vice president, European Branded Consumer at MPS, commented: ‘With the new 18-unit machine which is positioned right next to the 17-unit machine, we have once again made a significant investment within our global activities. With the perfectly equipped Speedmaster XL 106, we can implement even more processes in-line, with 100 percent quality assurance, and thus ensure that we meet the requirements of some of the most well-known brands in the world. This helps us to optimize and grow our business.’

Heidelberg said the investment is a move by MPS to respond the high customer demand on the part of designers and brand owners for a wide variety of finishing options and premium quality. One example application for the Speedmaster XL 106 is the production of folding whisky cartons with printing on the back, cold foil finishing and double coating.

‘Brand owners can now give their packaging even more colors and foils, as well as matte, gloss and pearlescent effects, with spot and solid finishes,’ stated David Rae of the MPS East Kilbride site.

‘We tested Image Control 3 extensively and were able to ensure that our requirements were taken into consideration,’ added Rae. ‘Most of our jobs are produced with metalized cardboard. Image Control 3 gives us the opportunity to measure and control the opaque white using a completely normal print control strip for the first time. On the basis of our feedback, Heidelberg made this function even more reliable. The color values required are now much easier to save and call up, and the entire system is more user-friendly.’

MPS currently has more than 600 colors saved in its archive, from colors for cardboard with a metalized coating to uncoated and coated papers. Ninety percent of the colors are spot colors and are adapted in line with each individual customer. ‘Overall, Image Control 3 has ensured higher quality and more uniformity within our process as we can now measure and control colors on all substrates, especially metalized substrates. Since the end of last year, our Image Control 3 has been connected to the new Heidelberg central color database. This means that we have a full backup for all the colors and we can also use conversion software to import color data in CxF format that is then immediately available for use in the system.’