drupa Products

Kama is showcasing the ProCut 74 automatic finishing diecutter (shown) at drupa, enhanced with new suction feed board and electronic cutting force adjustment. The hybrid diecutter is suited for high-quality diecutting, creasing, kiss-cutting and cold embossing as well as for hot foil and hologram stamping. It has a new quick change system option for faster job changes on hot foil stamping. Having its world premier is the ProFold 74 finishing folder-gluer, for job printers and trade binderies. The ProFold 74 creates intricate cross folders, ticket pockets and mailing envelopes, CD cases and capacity folders. A patent-pending tool mounting grid shortens set-up. www.kama.info

EskoArtwork will show at drupa its progress integrating offerings from the now merged Esko and Artwork Systems. The company aims to be the leading solutions integrator for packaging and commercial printing. Among highlighted debuts are Studio & Studio Toolkits for design of boxes and flexible packaging; a dynamic content control to allow text to be edited separate from Illustrator files, linked to and automatically updated from secure databases. Esko Software Suite 7 (shown) is a digital design and prepress production offering. Enfocus PDF preflight tools will be complemented by a SWITCH desktop and workgroup automation content providers to print. www.eskoartwork.com

Heidelberg Suprasetter models in larger formats to match Heidelberg's bigger presses and those of other manufacturers will be shown at drupa and become available for delivery during the fourth quarter of 2008. Suprasetter 145, 162 and 190 thermal computer-to-plate systems will match Speedmaster XL 145 (56´´) and XL 162 (64´´) and can also supply plates for other presses up to 74.80´´ such as MAN's 900 XXL and the KBA Rapida 185. Resolution is either 2540 or 2400 dpi, and six cassettes for plate loading hold up to 600 plates in as many as six different formats. The Suprasetters feature an Intelligent Diode System, integration into Prinect workflow and RIP technology with the Adobe Print Engine; users can choose their preferred screening process. Plate production can also be activated at the press control station. www.us.heidelberg.com

SilverFast lets older scanners run under Windows and Macintosh operating systems. From LaserSoft Imaging, Kiel, Germany, it supports the entire range of Linotype Hell and Heidelberg high-end scanners and more than 350 other models, on Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard). With SilverFast Ai STUDIO, the full dynamic range of scanner hardware is written into Tiff data. While the scanner is working on another job, already-scanned pictures can be further batch-processed in the background. SilverFast patented Auto-IT8-Calibration helps color management get the colors right. It is also available for digital cameras and printers. www.SilverFast.com

Agfa Graphics is introducing at drupa :Avalon N computer-to-plate imaging engines. The VLF formats feature a variety of plate sizes and plate-per-hour capabilities. Eight-up range (45.6×37´´) offers throughput ranging from eight to 50 plates per hour and uses a new-generation imaging head with 1024 beams that's based on GLV (Grating Light Valve) technology. First introduced in 2002, GLV is used in thousands of CTP systems. The VLF version handles from 57.8×45.4´´ to 82.6×62.9´´ plate sizes. All models include automatic punching and slip sheet removal. They're also fully compatible with :Apogee workflow and with Agfa's range of thermal digital plates and processors, including the chemistry-free :Azura, low-chemistry :Amigo and no-bake, long-run :Energy Elite plates. Two additional models, the :Avalon N40 and N48, are designed to support the new 80- and 96-page web presses. The N40 and N48 will be available later in the year. www.agfa.com

Kodak Magnus 800Z Quantum Platesetter (shown), showing at drupa but already available, features a new, advanced thermal head that generates double the laser power of its predecessors. Able to produce 60 plates per hour and achieve 10-micron Kodak Staccato screening for more vibrant color and finer detail, the Magnus 800Z optional multi-cassette units allow 500 plates online. When used with Kodak Thermal Direct non-process plates, the setter outputs at 35 plates per hour. A Magnus XLF 80 Quantum version, reportedly the fastest fully automated, very large format platesetter on the market, is also available and can be seen at drupa. In addition to new introductions in its NexPress toner-based digital press line (S3000) and Versamark inkjet transpromotional inkjet digital press lines, Kodak is presenting its completed new Color Workflow application, plus an enhanced Prinergy Workflow v.5.0 that embraces both offset and flexo. With increased interest in packaging markets among commercial printers, as well as expanded use of flexo coating applications in offset lines, Kodak is showing a direct-to-flexo plate Flexcel NX Digital Flexographic System, producing plates up to 31x42´´. Capable of imaging 10-micron flexo spots on a Trendsetter, the firm says it provides offset-class quality on paper, flexible film, foil and label stocks. www.graphics.kodak.com

Alwan Color Expertise is showing a new series of ICC color management software at drupa, built on the Alwan CMYK Optimizer servers installed at over 400 printers. Alwan will launch two Adobe Photoshop plug-ins: Version v2.0 enables Photoshop CS3 users to apply ICC DeviceLink Profiles within Photoshop for print-oriented workflows. It lets non-experts calculate total ink consumption for an image. www.alwancolor.com

EFI Fiery is being showcased at drupa with the Adobe PDF Print Engine (APPE) and Microsoft XPS support newly developed by EFI. APPE integration augments existing Fiery PDF support, adding choices for customers to natively support PDF transparency across workflows and to precisely print PDF files that match what they see on the screen during content creation. XPS utilities let Fiery users print Microsoft Vista documents with improved transparency and color, minimizing file sizes to speed processing and cut network congestion. www.efi.com

Draabe DuoPur humidifier combines high-pressure water atomization with a water-treatment unit. The system is installed in a portable container that is exchanged by the manufacturer every six months for a completely serviced and disinfected module. It provides “nanofine atomization,” spraying water treated by DuoPur directly into the room from up to four NanoFog high-pressure atomizers. This model is designed for CTP and other low-humidity requirement areas. Draabe is showing it at drupa (Hall 16, Stand D43) with its other new offerings. www.draabe.com

Altantic Zeiser Cardline personalization systems, used for producing gift cards and personalized encoded cards, is seeing the launch of four comprehensive optional packages for higher production speeds and faster set-up and start-up times—improvements that lower the cost per card. A re-engineered transport mechanism increases speed up to 47,500 cards an hour. Atlantic Zeizer also offers systems that do inkjet, laser and impact numbering, and magnetic encoding. The company is also demonstrating a new LED ink-curing technology for use in imprinting packages. www.atlanticzeiser.com

Canon is showcasing at drupa its range of high-speed monochrome and color imagePRESS machines. A new strategic alliance with Agfa Graphics allows the full range of imagePRESS digital presses to be integrated with the new :Apogee Suite JDF workflow solution. The newest imagePRESS C6000 and imagePRESS C6000VP extend Canon's high-volume digital production color range. These machines are introducing the first ever clear toner for the light production market. Canon also is showing its imagePRESS monochrome engines for commercial print, as well as its growing large-format printing range, including the imagePROGRAF iPF720 (shown) with 80 GB hard disk to drive faster throughput. www.usa.canon.com

Duplo DuBinder PUR DPB-500 with Nordson glue tank is among a number of offerings that will debut at drupa (Hall 13, B53). The DuBinder single clamp perfect binder handles short runs while having a top cycle speed of 525 bph, making it suitable for longer runs. Duplo will show the DC-645 Production Color Finisher slit, cut and crease machine with new knife folder, and the intelligent DSF-5000 high-speed dynamic document sheet feeder. www.duplousa.com

Polar-Mohr brings to mind guillotine cutters so often situated close to presses from Heidelberg, which has exclusive distribution rights for the trimmers. But the company is introducing at drupa inventive products for subsequent processing of sheet labels, many of them destined for in-mold labeling applications, where they are affixed to a depression in a plastic bottle. Shown above is a banded log of such labels, which have been trimmed on Polar cutters, then in a series of automated steps are forced through the new Counter-Pressure Die-Cutter DCC-M that delivers the trimmed, contour-cut logs, ready for a packaging dispensing line. See videos at the firm's site. It is also being displayed at drupa in Heidelberg's Hall 2. www.polar-mohr.com

Air Motion's third-generation P3 UV system is meeting the global market at drupa. “With P3, we are solving the long-term durability and energy questions associated with UV in order to further the adoption of this fantastic, environmentally friendly printing technology,” notes CEO Steve Metcalf. “Our goal is to increase the ease and availability of UV production—and at the same time reduce energy costs and carbon emissions for printers.” The P3 UV System patent-pending features are designed to make UV printing easier. Engineering achievements increasing its durability and performance include multi-axial “MAX” motion to maximize thermal durability of moving components, “self-healing” shutters that self-align to reflectors in the face of ongoing physical stress in the press, and “inline anodes” that protect against water corrosion of internal components. www.airmotionsystems.com

Akiyama Supertech 40 is showing at drupa, the speedier (16,500 sph) upgraded successor to the 40´´ Bestech platform. Also on view is the 16,000-sph eXtreme 540CL 40´´ press that can be custom-configured with coaters, inter-station curing and which carries improved ACC (Akiyama Color Control) ink presets and improved feeders. Akiyama is also showing its new 15,000 sph Mega Jprint, the single-gripper stacked press, with new dual-sided chamber coaters, roll infeed and optional auto plate changer. www.akiyama.com

Schober STP Smart Tag and Ticket Processor, being shown at drupa, incorporates Schober's second-generation RFID technology. STP is suited for producing contactless readable tickets for public transportation, entrance/access authorization, security identification, as well as airport baggage tracking tags, pallet and case tracking, and asset and supply chain management. New features include a redesigned tag dispenser with web tensioning, strategically placed start/stop buttons, greater information gathering capabilities, and optional static discharge protection. Interchangeable laminating, diecutting and punching stations that allow delivery in reel, zig-zag folds, or single products. www.schoberusa.com

KBA Rapida 75 combines elements of two presses it is replacing—Rapida 74 and Performa 74—providing a cost-effective platform with a significant range of automated features in a five-up format. Re-engineered for a slightly large sheet size (20.5×29.5´´), the 15,000-sph press is configurable with two to eight colors plus coater and perfector, and incorporates some 30 new features. A larger 23.75×29.5´´ version, popular in the North American market, is also offered. Many of the proven features that have made the bigger format presses popular have now been incorporated in the Rapida 75, including pneumatic suction sidelays, an open inking unit design and KBA DensiTronic density measurement and control from the console. www.kba-usa.com

Agfa :Apogee Workflow includes several components, some new, some renamed. :Apogee Publish manages content for page creation for print and Web. :Apogee Media (debuting at drupa) is tailored to content creators and brand owners, as well as print service providers and design agencies. It introduces editorial and layout applications that integrate with prepress environments such as :Apogee Portal and :Apogee Prepress. :Apogee Publish contains :Apogee Secuseal for complex security designs that make imitations traceable. :Apogee Portal (formerly :Delano) strengthens collaboration between printers and customers, and includes :Apogee WebApproval for file and proof retrieval, :Apogee StreamProof for softproofing and :Apogee Project Manager. :Apogee Prepress (formerly :ApogeeX) provides a full JDF-enabled prepress production hub. It offers connectivity to Agfa CTP engines, as well as :Apogee InkSave and Platemaker :Apogee Color integrates color management solutions into the :Apogee Suite solutions. www.agfa.com

Komori System 38 Web is being shown at drupa. The System 38S 16-page web includes a high-speed single chopper folder and, for the first time, Komori flying paster, integrated infeed, web guides and cut-off control. Job change-over is further enhanced with KHS-AI link, and sequence control facilitating multiple jobs. Komori PQA-W will ensure that all levels of quality are monitored during makeready and production. www.komori-america.us

Continuous-feed Xerox 650/1300 color printing systems system, being shown at drupa, can print up to 1,232 duplex A4 (a bit larger than U.S. letter size) images per minute. The system uses dry toner, xerographic imaging and flash fusing that doesn't employ heat or pressure or make contact with the paper, allowing it to print a wider array of substrates. www.xerox.com/printing

Heidelberg Diana X 115 carton folder and die cutter, being unveiled at drupa, features an open frame design with safety light-grid protection for open worker access. With a 45.28´´ working width, it processes board ranging up to 900 gsm and N, F, E, and B flute corrugated. Over 200,000 cartons can be processed per hour at speeds of up to 2,130 fpm. Fully automatic changeover speeds set up time; maintenance-free servo drives and a new roller bar and transportation concept increases flexibility and accelerates adjustments. A new ejector system lets faulty cartons be removed in direction of travel. A completely new collapsible module has been designed for the production of collapsible and lockbottom cartons; it reduces makeready times 85% for some jobs versus earlier models, says Heidelberg. An optional rotary module rotates cartons by 180 degrees, enabling them to be processed in one pass instead of two. www.us.heidelberg.com

basysPrint UV-Setter 400 and 800 platesetters image CTP on conventional UV sensitive plates. These new models are being introduced at drupa. Semi- and fully automatic versions, with single or multiple cassettes, automatic slip sheet removal and press-ready punching are available. Conventional plates, insensitive to scratches, are available at competitive prices. The use of conventional UV-sensitive plates means no revisions are required in chemistry or processing routines. UV-setters in manual and fully automated versions are available, as well as optional semi-automatic systems with automatic plate transport to the processor. The Multi-Cassette Automation version holds up to 500 plates in up to five different formats. Setters can image to different sized plates at once. www.punchgraphix.com

Screen Ultimate 4800, said to make the largest plates (114´´ wide), is being shown at drupa. Screen says the expansion of a variety of printed products with shorter lifecycles is causing some firms to co-manufacture jobs on extremely large presses. Screen says it will attempt to become a leader in digital print, with DI and inkjet web presses being presented at drupa. Screen also debuted its latest PlateRite CTP for newspapers (shown) at Nexpo last month in Washington, DC. www.screenusa.com

Xitron Navigator GPS 8 workflow for Harlequin RIPs, ExpressConnect web submission and online proofing solution,TotalProof Raster plug-in, and on-demand printer support for Oki Data 9600/9650, Xanté Illumina, Xerox Phaser 7400 printers are among offerings being shown at drupa. Navigator GPS 8 is based on Harlequin-RIP core technology, and provides enhanced support for the latest page description languages including PDF 1.7 and XPS. ExpressConnect, offers small to medium size commercial printers a complete web-based job submission and online proofing solution that can be incorporated with most workflows. A printer's customers will be able to submit files day or night and have them automatically preflighted. For PostScript files submitted, the integrated PDF Creator generates a normalized PDF and then preflights. Prices begin at under $10,000. www.xitron.com