Offset Printing

The Speedmaster XL 105 long perfector is Sterling technology!

Sterling Press was an early adopter of Speedmaster XL 105-10-P technology and its early experience has been so convincing it has placed an order for a second replica specification machine at Drupa but this time with Inpress Control added. It will be the first company in the UK to have two XL 105 long perfectors installed.

Saturday 07. June 2008 - Sterling Press was an early adopter of Speedmaster XL 105-10-P technology and its early experience has been so convincing it has placed an order for a second replica specification machine at Drupa but this time with Inpress Control added. It will be the first company in the UK to have two XL 105 long perfectors installed.

Brothers Steve and John Pizzey state that the Speedmaster XL 105-10-P with CutStar is outputting about 4.5 million sheets a month, as much as its two existing ten-colour long perfectors. The press has handled runs of 1,000 to over 100,000 in the first few months and 95% of work is run at the machine’s 15,000sph full mechanical speed. But it is not only its speed but the 50% cut in makeready times that have made the press such a powerhouse.
After extensive trials with Inpress Control Sterling Press is convinced makeready times and paper waste can be reduced still further. It asked Gernot Keller, B1 product manager of Heidelberg UK, to demonstrate production times with four different jobs, each with a 1,000 run. All four jobs had been completed within 1.25 hours and the saving in pull sheets also impressed the Pizzeys. The company anticipates requiring only 200 makeready sheets per job with Inpress Control.
The Northampton company is extremely efficiency- and productivity-minded and is among the front runners in terms of JDF workflow connectivity with its Tharstern MIS, prepress and Heidelberg and MAN Roland presses linked in and with plans to adopt Prinect Postpress Manager in the coming months.
“With this press Heidelberg is ahead of the game and its whole package is appealing,” says Steve Pizzey. “We don’t see any demarcation between process and Heidelberg has embraced that. Because they manufacture everything they have a great focus on efficiencies.”
Intellistart press software reduces the set up steps required to get into production, Inpress Control automatically controls colour and register to maximise the quality and efficiency of the press. This will require a mindset shift by the operators but the Pizzeys have confidence in the adaptability of their minders.