Heidelberg’s new Anicolor inking unit technology and flexible CtP solutions replace Direct Imaging presses

• Production of Quickmaster DI 46-4 Pro and Speedmaster 74 DI series discontinued
• Heidelberg Service to continue to provide long-term support for existing investments in DI presses
• More than 2000 DI installations worldwide reflect the success of DI presses over the years

Market developments and analyses of customer surveys by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) show a trend towards modular offline CtP solutions combined with offset presses. The wide-ranging Heidelberg portfolio of CtP products in the Prosetter and Suprasetter series integrated in a Prinect workflow and the Printmaster or Speedmaster models for small format jobs offers users alternatives for every business model.

In launching the new Speedmaster SM 52 with the new Anicolor inking unit technology – the zoneless short inking unit – in conjunction with conventional printing plates and offset inks, Heidelberg is offering a new and attractive solution for cost-effective production of short runs in offset quality. This new technology, which Heidelberg unveiled at the end of February and will be on the market from early 2007, will deliver dramatic reductions in makeready time and cut waste by up to 90 percent.

Heidelberg has thus discontinued production of Direct Imaging presses in its Quickmaster DI 46-4 and Speedmaster 74 DI series. Service support and the supply of consumables and spare parts for presses already on the market will continue to be available in the usual Heidelberg quality. Heidelberg’s own imaging technology will be continued in its highly successful CtP Suprasetter family.

"Heidelberg’s DI technology enjoyed fifteen highly successful years during which it was at the very forefront of development and saw over 2000 presses installed worldwide. Users focusing on short color runs will still be able to use their DI presses to deliver high-quality, cost-effective results. Heidelberg and its service network will continue to provide them with ongoing support they can rely on", says Andreas Forer, Head of Product Management Imaging Systems at Heidelberg.

History of DI technology at Heidelberg
1991 First DI press with spark erosion technology (GTO DI)
1993 Further development of the GTO DI with new laser technology
1995 Unveiling of the Quickmaster DI 46-4 at DRUPA
1998 Market launch of the Speedmaster 74 DI and Quickmaster DI with shorter makeready times
2001 Quickmaster DI Pro with stream feeder
2004 Quickmaster DI Pro with ProSpot imaging technology and introduction of the Suprasetter CtP series with laser technology developed entirely in-house
2006 Already over 300 installations of the Suprasetter CtP unit with thermal technology

Source: Heidlelberg