Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has extended its product portfolio to include an innovative solution for label production. The new Speedmaster XL 105-DD was launched to an international audience on October 20 and 21 at the Print Media Center (PMC) Label Days in Wiesloch-Walldorf, Germany. ("DD" stands for diecutting.) The press is built for use in label production, preferably for processing foil materials.

　　Heidelberg’s Varimatrix and Dymatrix diecutting solutions are designed for packaging production and are based on the principle of flatbed diecutting, whereas the Speedmaster XL 105-DD uses the principle of rotary diecutting and has been specifically designed to meet customer requirements for processing inmold labels. These labels today are usually processed on flatbed or "push-through" diecutters (in which the punching stamp pushes the material stack through the cutting die to give the stack its intended shape).

　　As flatbed diecutters can only process single sheets and push-through diecutters are only suitable for labels measuring up to 400 mm, the Speedmaster XL 105-DD press offers productivity and cost advantages. Makeready is achieved in approximately 15 minutes and the press runs at up to 10,000 sph.

　　The new press is based on XL 105 technology. It is equipped with two printing units, a Preset Plus Feeder and a foil package for the feeder, diecutting unit and delivery. The impression cylinder in the diecutting unit is fitted with hard-wearing cylinder jackets. The cylinder also is fitted with a clamping system identical to that of the coating blanket cylinder. The process of changing the diecutting plate is semi-automated: clamping is performed manually while the press positioning and pressing roller functions are automated.

　　Suction segment disks, sheet guide plates, and the dynamic sheet brake used in the XL 105 perfecting technology ensure that the diecut sheets are transported safely to the delivery. The suction segment disks secure the sheet transfer from the impression cylinder to the sheet guide plates, and these then guide the sheets smoothly to the delivery. From here, the dynamic sheet brake takes on responsibility for sheet transfer, slowing the sheets from the press speed to the ideal delivery speed without any tension. As in a perfecting press, these features ensure precisely-aligned piles without a blanks detaching from the sheets.