Full Production for Hammer Packaging's New Speedmaster

KENNESAW, Ga.—Hammer Packaging, the first U.S. customer to install a Heidelberg Speedmaster CX 102 press earlier this year, is reaping the benefits from the press performance since it commenced full production during the first week in April. 


The Rochester, N.Y.-based company, one of the largest producers of high-end package decorating in North America, chose a UV-capable Speedmaster CX 102-8+L with CutStar roll sheeter, Prinect Press Center with Intellistart operator guidance system and integrated Wallscreen. An integrated IST UV system uses the new Electronic Lamp Control (ELC) that enables the system to operate at very low energy consumption and take up 50 percent less floor space.

“Heidelberg has delivered a machine that absolutely lives up to its advance billing,” says Lou Iovoli, vice president of strategic partnerships. “Because press technology has improved so greatly and so quickly, it’s critical that a new machine perform to expectations in short order. The Speedmaster CX 102 does what Heidelberg said it would do.”

The Right Tool for the Job at Hand

Iovoli says the CX 102 is “built for speed and flexibility” in handling multiple film stocks, including 2 mil clear and 1.2 to 3.2 mil white, thanks to its unique gripper system and high-performance cylinder bearings native to Heidelberg’s Speedmaster XL 105 technology platform. Combined with 50 percent faster makereadies and minimal set-up waste, these and other features, make the Speedmaster CX 102 an ideal tool for Hammer’s high-volume, mixed-UV, label-printing operation.


According to Iovoli, Hammer Packaging prides itself on being a leader in terms of technology, so the logic for the investment in the Heidelberg press is straightforward.


“Like commercial printing, packaging and label printing are capital-intensive businesses characterized by dramatic incremental and cumulative improvements in the technology,” says James E. Hammer, president and CEO of Hammer Packaging. “If you’re going to be a leader, you have to pay attention to these developments and be prepared to invest in equipment and software that will elevate your capabilities, lower your operational costs and enable you to stay competitive. ... We not only have expanded our capacity and improved our redundancy during peak periods, but also definitely have added sales in the wake of this installation.”


Service and Support Count for A Lot

“Heidelberg’s installation team management showed they took our timeline seriously and adhered to the schedule we had established to have the press up and running in time to meet our obligations,” Iovoli says.

Post-installation training focused on bringing Hammer’s operators up to speed on key improvements in the CX 102 platform over the company’s existing CD 102s. “The technology was different enough that training was extremely valuable,” Iovoli says.

Positioned between the Speedmaster XL 105 and the CD 102 and targeted to high-end commercial, label and packaging printers, technology highlights for the Speedmaster CX 102 include:

• Production speeds up to 16,500 sheets per hour
• High-performance Prinect Press Center control console
• Patented decentralized control platform
• Highly automated Preset Plus Feeder and Preset Plus Delivery
• Reinforced printing unit construction in new design
• DryStar dryer technology perfectly adapted to the sheet travel

Based on its experience with the Speedmaster CX 102, Hammer Packaging will be watching future developments from Heidelberg closely.

“As Heidelberg continues to refine and improve its technology, we’re looking to increase the number of our Heidelberg presses that will help us produce more high-quality labels faster and more cost-effectively for our customers,” Iovoli says.