Production Preview

Advance reports of innovative press and finishing technologies are pouring into the GAM newsroom as editors prepare the second of three Graph Expo 2007 previews, this one focusing on printing and postpress applications. Press makers will be emphasizing new technologies for speeding throughput on sheetfeds and adding new formats, especially in the “half-size” arena. Graph Expo runs Sept. 9-12 in Chicago.

Adast (Booth 3836) will demonstrate its AdaRegister Control System for the first time in North America and introduce a new inline coater option for its 807 Series B2 (20.5×29´´) presses. AdaRegister uses a specialized high-resolution CCD camera and proprietary software to align print units for faster setup that is nearly in register. The new coater features an anilox-chambered doctor blade system controlled by the Adast touchscreen to lay down a thicker flood or registered spot coat for a range of effects.

The largest exhibitor, and the first one greeting entering visitors, is Heidelberg (Booth 1200). The display will include not only offset and bindery systems but also a range of packaging and converting equipment. Heidelberg will demonstrate two 2007 PIA/GATF Intertech Technology Award winners: the 18,000-sph 29×41´´ Speedmaster XL 105 (to be shown 6-color with closed-loop Prinect Inpress Control) and the Anicolor inker on a 14×20´´ Speedmaster SM 52 4-color press.

Anicolor technology incorporates a zoneless short inking unit for fast makereadies and high color consistency. The anilox inking unit achieves high print quality in less than 20 sheets, according to Heidelberg. With Prinect Color Management, says the company, it keeps offset competitive in run lengths as short as 250 sheets and below. The Anicolor press shown at Graph Expo will also feature a retractable two-roller inline coating system, extended stock range and an extended delivery. Due to the Alcolor dampening system, presses equipped with Anicolor can run metal or violet CTP plates.

Inpress Control will be shown on the Speedmaster XL 105-6+LX and 29´´ Speedmaster CD 74-6+LX presses, and Preset Plus technology and a Cutstar CAN roll sheeter will be included on a Speedmaster SM 102-8-P+LX. The new Preset Plus Delivery transports the perfected coated sheets contact-free from the coating unit and into the delivery pile. Heidelberg will also show its entry in inline foiling, the FoilStar cold-foil technology. Available for the Speedmaster CD 74, CD 102 and XL 105 presses, it offers cold foil with up to six variable web widths.

Heidelberg will unveil a new systemservice technology, eCall, that lets presses communicate impending service issues directly to Heidelberg.

Komori (Booth 629) will feature its latest introduction, the Lithrone LSX29. The largest (24×29.5´´) half-size press Komori offers, ithas been in development for a few years, the firm says, as it incorporates U.S. customer feedback. It features the latest Lithrone technology: suction-tape paper infeed, skeleton transfers, high-speed 12,000-sph startup, automatic console-driven makeready, fully automatic plate changing, etc. Its larger sheet size allows space for gripper margins on both edges, optimizing work-and-tumble and gang-run printing.

Headlining Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses’ (MLP) exhibit (Booth 617) will be an 8-color Diamond 3000LS 40´´ sheetfed, featuring an aqueous tower coater and fast-delivery optimization. This includes an Aero chamber with Bernoulli system, optimal sheet-guiding system, sheet “slowdown” device and blow-down fans. The 3000LS features double-size impression and transfer cylinders positioned in a 7 o’clock configuration with plate and blanket cylinders, so impression cylinders do not pass sheets to transfer drums until the sheet is fully printed.

The 16,000-sph 3000LS also incorporates automated makeready features for changing plates, washing up and setting the feeder, inking and dampening systems. In particular, MLP’s SimulChanger replaces spent plates with new ones on every unit simultaneously. Operators load new plates into cassettes while the press is running. All other functions of the plate change are automated: the process of positioning the cylinders, removing the old plates and clamping and tensioning the new ones are launched by a button at the COMRAC press control console. Mitsubishi says regardless of whether a job requires four colors or 10, it takes the same amount of time to change all the plates. This cuts 10 minutes from makereadies on the 8-color 3000LS, says MLP. After the Mitsubishi Color Control System V helps the operator achieve approved color, a Symphony print inspection system from DAC Engineering replaces human assessment to maintain that quality level.

Sakurai (Booth 642) will introduce what it calls a “new dimension” in the half-size press class, its SD series model 96, in a 25×38´´ size. It currently offers 20×26´´ and 23 5/8×31´´ presses. Sakurai says the new 16,000-sph 96, in four to six colors plus coating and perfecting, is geared to projects that deliver as 16-page formats on 25×38´´ sheets.

xpedx Printing Technologies (Booth 3808) will debut its largest press, the eight-up 4- and 5-color 24×36´´ 16,000-sph 920 series. Also demonstrated will be Ryobi’s half- and quarter-size presses with dryers, coaters and UV systems. The 920 series has double-diameter cylinder and transfer drums to minimize marking, and prints up to 24 pt.

For postpress and auxiliary equipment makers, the speed trends continue. Goss (Booth 3041), which will install its 2,000 Sunday web unit in December, will feature its Pacesetter 2200 and 2500 saddlestitchers, unveiled at Graph Expo last year and featuring servo-driven components. Initial installations are routinely exceeding the 22,000- and 25,000-book-per-hour rates.

Heidelberg’s push into the packaging segment is represented by a number of products that will be seen in its exhibit. The Varimatrix 105 CS diecutter provides a flexible and cost-effective diecutting and embossing solution for small- to medium-size packaging businesses, says Heidelberg. The Varimatrix cuts and embosses paper weighing 80 gsm and over, board and solid board up to 1,400 gsm and corrugated board up to 4mm thick at speeds to 7,500 sheets per hour, with a cutting force up to 331 tons and in 15×6´´ to 30×41´´ formats.

Heidelberg’s ECO 105 folding carton gluer will be shown with an automatic case packer. It handles all major carton types and specialty cartons, with quick changeover ability through overlapping roller bars to ensure steady, twist-free transport of blanks.

Kluge (Booth 2219) is showing new finishing equipment, including:the EHG Series half-sheet foil stamping and diecutting press; ComFold Multi-Function folder/gluer; V-10 Series 40´´ foil stamping and diecutting press; BoxFold-1000 straight-line folder/gluer and the C-115 cutting system. Also on exhibit will be the OmniFold automatic folder/gluer; TXR-1100 series automatic blank separator; and the EHF series press. This line of equipment produces paper and packaging products ranging from lock-bottom boxes to mailers.

During the show, Muller Martini (Booth 3868) will be presenting live demonstrations of automated press delivery technologies, including a Topveyor overhead conveyor, the new Preciso rotary trimmer and a Vivo horizontal log bundler. It can be custom-configured to allow for materials movement through curves, radiuses and other logistical arrangements.

Muller Martini Topveyor processes signatures or finished products in a single stream from press to finishing without the need for single-copy timing. The Preciso rotary trimmer finishes products with optimal trim quality at full press speed. It features Muller’s VibroTec centering infeed technology, using rollers instead of paddles to align the stream.

With respect to digital finishing, smaller and specialized products include those shown by Morgana Systems (Booth 3271). The company will introduce its new CardMaster integrated creaser/folder for greeting cards and its DocuMaster fully automated digital print finishing system.

The CardMaster is designed for fast, quality finishing of greeting cards up to 130-lb. cover for the print-on-demand and personalized greeting card market. The new DocuMaster can crease, produce booklets and perforate.

Standard Finishing Systems (Booth 2246) will demonstrate the new Standard Hunkeler CS6-II Rotary Cutter with Chip-Out, being shown as part of a solution producing full-bleed, trimmed, color self-mailers. The new Standard Hunkeler UW6 unwinder and CS6-II cutter double-cuts sheets from a pre-printed roll that are then folded into direct mailers on the inline Standard Horizon AFC-744 automated signature folder. The newest Standard Hunkeler Gen6 solutions handle paper from 40 to 300 gsm with ease, and can be operated either inline with digital printers or offline. Standard Hunkeler systems will also be on display with InfoPrint Solutions (Booth 2276) and HP (Booth 1229).

QuadTech (Booth 421) will be introducing its MultiCam technology for register control. Billed as a breakthrough, MultiCam uses the latest digital camera technology to recognize and evaluate printed marks on a running web. It works with the QuadTech Register Guidance System and Ribbon Control System for color-to-color registration and print-to-cut accuracy.

MultiCam’s 640×480-pixel sensor harnesses specially designed FPGA-based hardware to enable the camera to view the entire repeat length of the web and cope with the volume of data generated.

Flint Group (Booth 2226) is introducing fast-setting, vegetable-based Novavit F918 Supreme Bio printing inks. Quick dry times make these eco-friendly inks ideal for perfecting presses, printers with bindery and finishing departments, and those who want to increase production speeds, the company reports. Flint Group is also highlighting the expanded Arrowstar energy curable product line, featuring the UV7700, UV7310, EB1200 and Gemini series.

INX Int’l. (Booth 429) will show samples of Ecopure HPJ and Fusion UV. Ecopure HPJ, a premium quality quickset ink for sheetfed operations, is designed to help minimize waste and speed turnaround at both ends of the print run—getting up to color quickly with consistent density, and providing faster set times than its predecessor, Ecopure HP. Users of Ecopure HPJ also report lower water settings, with better gray balance and improved trapping.

Fusion UV Hybrid process inks deliver the sharpness of conventional (oil-based) SF inks along with UV ease and instant-cure speed. Printers can run Fusion right after conventional inks, without reconfiguring presses or conditioning rollers.

Both Ecopure HPJ and Fusion UV hybrid accept aqueous and UV coatings, or OPV. INX will also display coatings to match virtually any make of ink and any application.

Sun Chemical (Booth 2819) is introducing Synergy, combining new UV ink, coating, press conditioner, wash and fountain solution chemistries all formulated to simplify UV printing. Synergy is the only system solution designed for UV applications, claims the company. Synergy products are specially formulated to speed makeready, simplify ink-water balance settings and reduce start-up waste.

Other highlights at the Sun Chemical booth include: SolarJet, Sun Chemical’s new digital label press for the narrow web market; Streamline inks that offer high-performance alternatives to replace OEM inks for wide- and superwide-format digital printers using both solvent and aqueous formulas; and Super Dry, an economical product that can be used easily in any pressroom condition.

Van Son Holland Ink (Booth 3470) will be introducing its new SonaCure UV-curable ink at the show and will also feature Van Son’s Quickson line of process inks, including Quickson PRO and the high-performance Vs3 and Vs5 series inks.

The UV-curable SonaCure printing ink is an “overnight” ink with high gloss and excellent rub resistance that can be used with paper or foil, on coated and uncoated paper and board, and lacquered or corona-treated substrates.

Digital printers, including HP and Xerox, were previewed in GAM’s July report on digital presses and workflow. Some additional news just in: Kodak (Booth 1246) will show its NexPress 700, the “Kodak-ized” version of the Canon 70-ppm print engine. Canon’s version will be on display in Booth 2400.

Océ (Booth 655) will announce new Triplex configurations for its VarioStream 7000 series printers, an advanced design that brings greater flexibility and 2/1 color to high-volume workflow. Advanced Triplex models are available as four, five or six connected print engines. Users choose the best configuration to maximize their high-volume production, with the ability to modify the configuration as requirements change.

Xanté (Booths 4452 and 4654) will bring a new line of plates and consumables, tested for maximum results on best-selling Xanté VM platesetters. The firm is also introducing the first product built on the combined technologies of Xanté and RIPit: OpenRIP FastCards, which can deliver high-resolution, full-color prints on heavy stock in just minutes.

xpedx (Booth 3808) will unveil the Opticular desktop process that makes short-run, special-effect lenticular pieces easy and affordable to produce, via a specially designed OkiData print engine.

Beyond the show floor, Graph Expo is jam-packed with conferences, workshops, seminars, hands-on demos, special industry group meetings, award ceremonies and receptions. The trade show has become the printing industry’s annual convention, as evidenced by the number of events scheduled in conjunction with it.

The day before the show opens, the Graphic Arts Show Co. (GASC) will present its annual Executive Outlook Conference, sponsored by Xerox and Kodak. The event, themed “The Printers’ Success Quartet: Economics, Markets, Technology, People,” will provide an up-to-date economic assessment, explore major growth markets, discuss technological trends and help attendees evaluate current and future workforce priorities.

The conference’s opening session, moderated by NPES VP William K. (Kip) Smythe, will feature mini-keynotes: NAPL’s Andrew Paparozzi on economics; consultant Barbara Pellow on marketing; and from Bill Lamparter, the conference’s chair and PrintCom Consulting Group principal, an overview of technology and a harbinger of the technology program to follow.

Following the keynotes, a gaggle of industry consultants, profit-leading printers and supplier representatives will speak on the newest and hottest technologies and provide a roadmap to profit survival in a consolidating and changing industry.

The day-long conference will conclude with the advance announcement of the Must See ’ems products and technologies, selected by a committee of print industry consultants, educators and other professionals.

Other conference highlights include a printer panel discussing “A View of Diversification from the Trenches;” a status report on integrated manufacturing/smart factory; and a presentation titled “The RFID Opportunity—Are You Missing It?”

Also, the Print Industries Marketing Information and Research Organization (PRIMIR) will present its latest printing industry research.

Before the show opens, The National Assn. of Quick Printers (NAQP) will hold its owners conference Sept. 6-9 at the InterContinental Chicago Hotel. Members will automatically gain access to the Graph Expo show floor as part of their registration. Winners of NAQP’s 2007 PrintImage Excellence Awards (PEA) will be announced at a Sept. 7 luncheon and displayed in the NAPL Network’s booth at Graph Expo. T. Scott Gross, author of “Positively Outrageous Service,” will kick off the quick print event. www.printimage.org

Two “theme days” add special focus this year at Graph Expo. Books & Bound Documents Day is Sunday, Sept. 9. Seminars and hands-on demos will explore all facets of digital book production, such as the movement toward shorter runs and books on demand. Throughout the show floor, exhibits will show practical applications using digital presses and other equipment and software. Tuesday, Sept. 11 brings Customer & Marketing Communications Day. Printers will learn how to be a necessary force in the creation of valuable mail campaigns, through exhibits and seminars on trans-promo mailings that combine direct marketing and transactional mail.

Graph Expo will feature more than 60 educational sessions taught by industry experts. The sessions are organized by GASC partners NPES, PIA/GATF and NAPL. The sessions are divided into 16 tracks: business, color, creative, digital, Internet, mailing and fulfillment, management, marketing, package printing, pressroom, premedia, print buying, production, sales, wide format and workflow.

For the first time, the event will feature a print buyer’s conference, “Buyer’s Insights on the New Progressive Print Industry,” running all day Tuesday, designed to benefit all graphic arts professionals.

Moderated by Margie Dana, founder of Boston Print Buyers and Print Buyers International (and a former print buyer), the event will include a panel of print specifiers from different industries and three industry pros who’ve worked as—or with—print buyers for years. Dana is the author of a popular e-column, Margie’s Print Tips, read worldwide by thousands of subscribers, to build bridges between the print industry and its customers. www.bostonprintbuyers.com/printtips

This conference is specially designed for: print buyers, production professionals, purchasing managers, graphic designers—anyone and everyone who purchases or influences the purchase of printing.

IPA (the Assn. of Graphic Solutions Providers) and Graphic Arts Monthly team up for the Premedia Professionals Luncheon Sept. 9 in McCormick Place South. The event will feature presentations from top premedia executives. www.ipa.org/lunch

Graph Expo is also the backdrop for several industry awards. The PIA/GATF Premier Print awards gala will be held Sept. 9. Hundreds of the printing industry’s top executives will attend a posh banquet, known as the “Oscars” of the printing industry. Winning entries receive a bronze statue in the shape of Ben Franklin, the nation’s first Public Printer, referred to as a “Benny.” For information on location and tickets, call the Premier Print Hotline at 800.315.9149 or visit online: www.gain.net.

• NAPL will hold its annual Walter E. Soderstrom Society dinner to induct new members into the society. www.napl.org

• Xerox will hold its PIXI (Printing Innovation with Xerox) Awards ceremony on Sept. 9 to recognize excellence and innovation in digital printing applications. www.xeroxawards.com

• A much anticipated event is the annual R&E Council of NAPL Critical Trends Technology Breakfast, on Monday, Sept. 10, 7:30 to 10 a.m., at McCormick Place. The event presents industry experts’ evaluations of what is hot at the show to help Graph Expo attendees maximize their time.

• The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) will host an educational summit on Sept. 11. The purpose of the meeting is to present challenges and solutions in the areas of education and recruitment. www.pgsf.org

• Corporate Responsibility Officer magazine will hold a fall conference on Sept. 12 at Chicago’s Union League Club to address key issues in green practices. Murray Martin, president and CEO of Pitney Bowes, will give the keynote address. www.thecro.com