UK-based Zenith Print Group is to take delivery of an unusual hybrid press capable of running both UV and conventional inks at the end of November, ready for full production by the turn of the year. The Speedmaster XL 106-5+LX3 is a B1 five-colour with coater configuration that is highly specified with Inpress Control for automatic inline colour integrity and register adjustment plus Autoplate Pro plate changing. There are distinct wash ups for the UV and conventional work and operators can switch between the different wash systems without any manual intervention.
John Mooney, Managing Director of the Zenith Group, says, “We anticipate a split of 75-25% between conventional and UV packaging work on this press and an output of up to 40 million sheets a year. We have great confidence in the speed of set up between jobs and the ability to switch quickly and efficiently between different printing applications and different substrates. What has really impressed us has been Heidelberg’s knowledge of consumables and the extensive testing they do to ensure compatibility with their equipment. This is critical when you are running two processes on the same press.”
The press, which will be installed at the Zenith Media pressroom in Pontypool will replace two five-colour B1 presses, a CD102 and an XL 105. The larger sheet size combined with the greater press efficiency will ensure there remains as much output but, as importantly, equal or enhanced quality. Inpress Control makes colour matching easy and accurate and LAB values can now also be loaded into the Prinect Press Center and called up as necessary.
Zenith produces commercial print for a range of different customers, including demanding design houses, and packaging for coins, medals and other collectibles so having a printed result that is really attractive and suited to display is vital. Likewise the retail packaging it supplies must have shelf appeal and instant brand recognition.
The press also saves up to 33% on energy usage with the DryStar end of press UV drying system. Rather than using the traditional three UV lamps, the new press uses the new reflector technology in the UV dryer, meaning just two lamps are needed to deliver the same cure as before.
Zenith is continually investing. Earlier this year it took the first Promatrix 106FC foiling and cutting machine in the UK and this followed on from the Promatrix 106CS (cutting and stripping) die-cutter and Diana Smart 80 folder-gluer installed in the last two years.
