RELEASING YOUR POTENTIAL ▲ The press is controlled via a 24” touchscreen controller that has been completely rethought and redesigned to make the operation simple It will be nearly 50 years since the first printing press from Heidelberg AG carried the name ‘Speedmaster’. Released in 1975 the manufacturer claims it was the world’s first B1 four-colour press, which has gone on to be what could be the most successful printing press ever built. Building on the basic concept of four-colour printing and perfecting, various developments were added to the press over a number of years such as a film-dampening system as early as 1977, computer-controlled press controls, and automatic plate changing in 1991. CIP3 followed and other products such as CutStar and other enhancements, and this constant ongoing development has possibly been the reason for the success. Clearly the newest version of the Speedmaster, the XL 106 bears no resemblance to the SM 102 of 1975, but the brand still is held up as a leader of B1 presses. With the release of the newest machine’s incarnation, Heidelberg is not releasing rafts of new equipment or technology. What is new is the direction it takes which is to help clients reach the maximum potential possible by engaging with a range of technology wrapped in the press. What is key to understand about Heidelberg’s new focus is to take the individual pieces of technology used for makeready and product control and integrate each one of them together and make the operation of them as simple as pressing a button. Heidelberg UX is the new interactive operator process which it claims “sets new standards for the user experience on the Speedmaster”. There are far too many aspects of the Speedmaster XL 106 to cover in a simple article but an understanding of the key components of the technology should whet the appetite to look further into the cornucopia of technology there is. Reducing Wastage To understand this process in more detail, it is suggested to start at the delivery end of the press and the press control panel Prinect Press Center XL 3 and widescreen display that are now the norm on larger presses. The press is controlled via a 24” touchscreen controller that has been completely rethought and redesigned to make the operation simple, all part of Heidelberg UX. Linked to the Speedmaster Operating System touchscreen, the status of the press is displayed on Wallscreen XL an operator navigation system Heidelberg claims is a “one-of-a-kind.” Depending on what is happening on press, in makeready status the Intellistart 3 system displays what is taking place preparing the machine, and during production Intellirun production status is shown. In addition, myWallscreen functions are all there to Overall, the general physical specification of the Speedmaster has not changed, it still has the 750mm x 1,060mm maximum sheet size and maximum speed of 18,000 sheets per hour 47 When describing the new Speedmaster XL 106, it's not about “bigger, faster, further”, it’s about tapping into the client’s potential and taking production to the next level. Brian Sims finds out more www.printmonthly.co.uk September / October 2023 - Issue 344 UNDER THE HOOD / HEIDELBERG SPEEDMASTER XL 106
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