Heidelberg

Sheetfed offset press manufacturers key in on efficiency, larger formats, and specialty needs, and wave off flexo competition. by Susan Friedman, Editor One of the best competitive edges carton converters can develop these days is the capability to get product out the door faster than the other guys. "Our customers are focusing strictly on productivity," says Bob McKinney, director of marketing for KBA North America, Sheetfed Division. "Converters want to increase margins through efficiency." Sheetfed offset press manufacturers are well aware of this fact, and each is ready with a game plan. "With run length continuing to drop, faster, more accurate makeready with less

Scan volume may be down at prepress and printing firms, but scanners aren't by any means out of the production picture. by Susan Friedman, Editor Decline, yes. Demise, no. Or is the picture that simple for the use of scans in graphic file production? A recent study conducted by TrendWatch/Cahners Inc. stated the percentage of creative professionals intending to purchase scanners is at its lowest level in years, primarily because of the rising use of digital cameras, digital file storage, and digital file transmission. Dave Watson, VP/packaging at prepress trade shop American Color, reports a reduction in scan use that echoes the tone of

Equipment suppliers address coating/laminating material handling issues for both sheet- and web-based applications. by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor STUDY #1: Web coating Registration to a preprinted web (a.k.a. optical registration or dynamic registration) is often used to apply specialty coatings or spot varnishes, and comes in handy for re-running a web through the press for line work. Dri-Tec's Gravure/Flex convertible print station handles such applications with ease, but, as Dri-Tec VP Matt Tielkemeier notes, retrofitting the unit to a geared press may require a little extra attention. As Tielkemeier explains, dynamic registration is achieved through the use of a high-speed optical sensor, an encoder,

While its design capabilities are constantly evolving, the modern CAD/CAM system has yet to reach its potential as part of the manufacturing process. by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor THE FUTURE OF Computer Aided Design extends far beyond the lines and angles of a diecut pattern. As the converting industry strives to maximize efficiency within the manufacturing process, the communication among all information systems driving production becomes critical. While CAD/CAM systems continue to improve graphic and design capabilities, the ultimate hope for CAD technology is its complete integration with the other information systems employed in packaging manufacture. The big picture "A well-designed CAD/CAM system

Adheso Graphics Manufactures and distributes pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes—sticky back, transfer, and D/C—to the printing industry. Visit www.adheso-graphics.com Alliance Knife Straight and circular machine knives for paper converting, graphic arts, business forms, pulp and paper, plastic, rubber, metalworking, and woodworking. Autogrind Complete range of grinders for in-house sharpening of all types of circular knives and perf wheels. Automatän The Automatän Inkontrol (TM) systems automatically check, monitor, and adjust flexo ink pH and viscosity through print runs to ensure that correct pH and viscosity are being maintained. Windows-based for maximum versatility. Visit www.automatan.com AWS Div., Grafix North America Supplies process cooling and temperature

McCoy Packaging's "Kuleto Villa" wine label poured on enough printing charm to ace two categories and capture Best of Show honors in packagePRINTING's 15th annual Excellence Awards. by Susan Friedman, Editor If McCoy Packaging's Best of Show-winning strategy was to forge an indelible impression in the judge's minds, it succeeded, hands down. McCoy's "Kuleto Villa" wine label repeatedly stood up to its competitors in packagePRINTING's 2001 Excellence Awards, initially nabbing first place in the Labels—Flexo (Process) category, where judges singled it out as a difficult printing, diecutting, and embossing job well executed. "[This label] holds beautiful register at 175 line screen," commented judge Roy

Today's near-necessity of value-added coatings persuades more converters to embark on the in-line path. By Jessica Millward, Associate Editor For those in the know, coating and laminating are quickly becoming part of the basics of package printing. Today's sophisticated packaging has given birth to a dizzying array of coating/laminating combinations and capabilities, and the in-line process continues to reap the benefits. Applications are increasing across the print process board, in flexo, in offset, even in gravure. Of course, in-line is still best-suited for longer-run work. Though Matt Tielkemeier, Dri-Tec's VP/GM, notes in-line's potential for short runs will grow with the development of robotic

By partnering with other processes, web offset reaches its maximum productivity value. by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor THE QUALITY OF web offset printing has never been in question; its economy, however, has had its naysayers. But the new generation of web offset looks to be fueled by interdependence: using offset in conjunction with other processes to provide high quality while rationing costs. Given its in-line capabilities and speed advantage, web offset's doors may soon open to many more printers. The move to multi-process was certainly witnessed by last year's Labelexpo attendees. RDP Marathon, for example, highlighted its LF-series of variable repeat web presses, which

Press developments make the dizzying heights of today's sheetfed offset a little easier to reach. by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor IT WAS ALMOST heartbreaking for the packagePrinting 2000 Excellence Awards Competition judges. Faced with about 50 sheetfed offset folding carton entries, they struggled to whittle the category down to only four winners; ultimately, only the slightest register flaws eliminated the competition. Such a resounding testament to the health of sheetfed offset prompts a question: What challenges do sheetfed printers face? And what solutions do press suppliers offer to enable those formidable folding cartons? Challenge 1: Freedom of substrate Four years ago, Hammer Lithograph

Consumer behavior continues to shape package printers' need for sheetfed offset presses. By Chris Bauer WHEN IT COMES to corrugated package printing, sheetfed offset suppliers suggest printers remember the old saying, "The customer is always right." Customers want shorter runs of high quality work and cost-effective results. This is why suppliers say sheetfed offset is the perfect solution. "For the folding carton and the packaging industry, sheetfed offset is really the production unit of choice," offers Achim Schmidt, packaging manager for Heidelberg. Schmidt believes sheetfed offset presses are the answer for shorter runs, more flexible and versatile press operation, and higher quality work which