New Offset Printing Press Expands Sales at Hammer Packaging
- Published: July 20, 2011
ROCHESTER, NY | Hammer Packaging is reported the first US customer to install a Heidelberg Speedmaster CX 102 press with production having started the first week in April. Said to be among the largest producers of high-end package and label decorating in North America, Hammer 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 utilizes the new Electronic Lamp Control (ELC) that reportedly enables the system to operate at very low energy consumption and take up half as much floorspace.
James E. Hammer, president and CEO of Hammer Packaging, explains, "Like commercial printing, packaging and label printing are capital-intensive businesses characterized by dramatic incremental and cumulative improvements in the technology. 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. Like Hammer, Heidelberg never stops looking at every component and taking advantage of every opportunity for improvement. The first-generation Speedmaster CX 102 is a fine example of this approach. 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.”
The Speedmaster CX 102 is said to represent a new market segment in the 40 in. format. It makes key components of the Speedmaster XL platform available in the CD 102 format, reportedly for the first time. Technology highlights include:
- Production speeds up to 16,500 sph
- High-performance Prinect Press Center control console
- Patented decentralized control platform
- Automated Preset Plus Feeder and Preset Plus Delivery
- Reinforced printing unit construction in new design
- DryStar dryer technology adapted to the sheet travel
Lou Iovoli, VP of strategic partnerships, adds, the CX 102 is “built for speed and flexibility” in handling multiple film stocks, including 2 mil clear and 1.2--3.2 mil white, due to an innovative gripper system and high-performance cylinder bearings native to Heidelberg’s Speedmaster XL 105 technology platform. Combined with 50% faster makereadies and minimal setup waste, these and other features, are said to make the Speedmaster CX 102 an ideal tool for Hammer’s high-volume, mixed-UV, label-printing operation.
