Heidelberg is hosting a digital open house to showcase its offerings in light of significant announcements made at Drupa.
Heidelberg will be opening the doors of its UK headquarters in Stockley Park for a Digital Customer Day on September 25.
The company will present its plans for the Jetfire 50, a product developed in partnership with Canon that was unexpectedly announced at Drupa. Heidelberg has pledged to utilize the iX3200, which serves as the foundation for the Jetfire 50, and will also incorporate the iV7, its B2 inkjet press, next year. Both will be operated using a Prinect front end along with Heidelberg’s color management system.
The inkjet machines will complement the Versafire toner engines, developed in partnership with Ricoh, allowing Heidelberg to achieve comprehensive digital coverage of the cutsheet sector. According to Paul Chamberlain, head of software solutions, this capability can be expanded into a complete cross-technology operating system for printing, featuring full color management.
The system can be fully integrated into the Prinect Production Manager, along with the Heidelberg color management system, offering the advantages of a centralized workflow for both litho and digital printing. The Prinect Digital Print Manager and Prinect Digital Front End play crucial roles in automating and standardizing the manufacturing process for digital print, ensuring efficiency and consistency throughout the production cycle. This integration enhances operational capabilities and streamlines processes across different printing technologies.
Phil Buttress, Heidelberg UK head of sales, stated, “Following a very successful Drupa, Heidelberg is inviting customers to our customer experience center at Stockley Park to learn more about Heidelberg’s Hybrid Digital Ecosystem. Throughout the day, demonstrations of the Prinect Digital workflow will be complemented by the latest generation of Versafire machines, along with insights into the Jetfire 50. Our team of technical specialists will be available to discuss our customers’ needs and provide guidance on the most efficient solutions for their production requirements.”
The setup features a range of advanced equipment, including the Polar 92N Plus, Morgana Digifold XL Pro, and Aero Diet, which serves as a small format die cutter specifically designed for short-run packaging. Additionally, the Stahlfolder BH66 is included for its rapid makeready capabilities in folding operations. This combination of machinery enhances efficiency and flexibility in production, catering to diverse packaging and finishing needs.
Heidelberg has successfully installed the first inkjet press at a customer location in Switzerland. General sales for the inkjet presses are set to commence in the new year, providing Heidelberg with the opportunity to train its sales and support staff on the new technology. This timeframe will also allow the company to build up its inventory of spare parts and consumables, ensuring that they are well-prepared to meet customer needs and support the new product effectively.
The event will feature demonstrations scheduled for both the morning and afternoon sessions. Attendees can enjoy a selection of German food and drink during the lunch break between the demonstrations, providing a great opportunity to network and discuss the showcased technologies in a relaxed atmosphere.
