Simply Unstoppable
With printing, it is like flying: stops are inconvenient. That
is why more and more folding box manufacturers are choosing
Heidelberg Logistics, especially in combination with the
Speedmaster XL 105, triggering a true logistics boom. This is
hardly surprising, as it makes them up to 15 percent more
productive.
Every seven minutes, the pile is changed at full production speed. For that purpose, the automatic nonstop rack at the feeder of the elevated six-color Speedmaster XL 105 receives the new pile; the empty pallet is forwarded to the delivery and the full pallet is passed on to the feeder, where the pile is aligned and accurately added to the almost finished pile - fully automatically. This process is very familiar to Michael Sommer from Product Management Customizing: "Our demo press
XL 105-6+L here at the Print Media Center Wiesloch-Walldorf is equipped with logistics components at the feeder and delivery which fully automate the transport of materials." In this configuration, the press prints a net total of approximately 1,500 sheets more per hour than the equivalent non-automated model. With an average print run of 20,000 sheets and three shifts, that roughly adds up to an additional six million sheets per year.
Competitive edge, starting from only 8,000 sheets
In view of the necessary pile changes, the logistics equipment already brings benefits at a print run of around 8,000 sheets or roughly three piles of cardboard. The necessary pile change forces the operator to throttle the speed, bring full wooden pallets to the feeder and then readjust the speed. That reduces productivity, especially since imprecision, for example in positioning the sheets at the feeder, can cause time-consuming stops. And with production speeds of 18,000 sheets per hour, piles need to be changed every seven to ten minutes depending on material thickness. That is why over 120 packaging printers worldwide have already equipped their Speedmaster with Heidelberg Logistics. And demand is constantly growing, Sommer reports, because "depending on their job structure, our customers are significantly more productive."
Customized automation
Print shops can configure the system according to their specific needs - for example with a revolving conveyor for transporting the full pallets in the direction of production, an automatic empty-pallet conveyor, a pile turner as well as additional buffers at the feeder and delivery. "Instead of worrying about pile changes and the supply of stock to the press, the printer can focus on product quality," Sommer states. For customers who need higher levels of automation, Heidelberg recommends the automatic pile-changing device at the feeder as well as conveyor systems for the feeder and delivery with integrated empty-pallet conveyors. The prerequisite from Heidelberg Logistics is that the machine must be elevated to a minimum height of 525 millimeters. Depending on the thickness of the stock, a Speedmaster XL 105 elevated by 34.4 inches (875 millimeters) requires up to 25 percent fewer pallets than one elevated by 20.7 inches (525 millimeters). "That is a noticeable advantage, as it significantly reduces the number of pile changes. Thanks to the higher piles, I also need fewer buffers and storage spaces before and after printing as well as considerably less transport," the logistics expert explains.
Every seven minutes, the pile is changed at full production speed. For that purpose, the automatic nonstop rack at the feeder of the elevated six-color Speedmaster XL 105 receives the new pile; the empty pallet is forwarded to the delivery and the full pallet is passed on to the feeder, where the pile is aligned and accurately added to the almost finished pile - fully automatically. This process is very familiar to Michael Sommer from Product Management Customizing: "Our demo press
XL 105-6+L here at the Print Media Center Wiesloch-Walldorf is equipped with logistics components at the feeder and delivery which fully automate the transport of materials." In this configuration, the press prints a net total of approximately 1,500 sheets more per hour than the equivalent non-automated model. With an average print run of 20,000 sheets and three shifts, that roughly adds up to an additional six million sheets per year.
Competitive edge, starting from only 8,000 sheets
In view of the necessary pile changes, the logistics equipment already brings benefits at a print run of around 8,000 sheets or roughly three piles of cardboard. The necessary pile change forces the operator to throttle the speed, bring full wooden pallets to the feeder and then readjust the speed. That reduces productivity, especially since imprecision, for example in positioning the sheets at the feeder, can cause time-consuming stops. And with production speeds of 18,000 sheets per hour, piles need to be changed every seven to ten minutes depending on material thickness. That is why over 120 packaging printers worldwide have already equipped their Speedmaster with Heidelberg Logistics. And demand is constantly growing, Sommer reports, because "depending on their job structure, our customers are significantly more productive."
Customized automation
Print shops can configure the system according to their specific needs - for example with a revolving conveyor for transporting the full pallets in the direction of production, an automatic empty-pallet conveyor, a pile turner as well as additional buffers at the feeder and delivery. "Instead of worrying about pile changes and the supply of stock to the press, the printer can focus on product quality," Sommer states. For customers who need higher levels of automation, Heidelberg recommends the automatic pile-changing device at the feeder as well as conveyor systems for the feeder and delivery with integrated empty-pallet conveyors. The prerequisite from Heidelberg Logistics is that the machine must be elevated to a minimum height of 525 millimeters. Depending on the thickness of the stock, a Speedmaster XL 105 elevated by 34.4 inches (875 millimeters) requires up to 25 percent fewer pallets than one elevated by 20.7 inches (525 millimeters). "That is a noticeable advantage, as it significantly reduces the number of pile changes. Thanks to the higher piles, I also need fewer buffers and storage spaces before and after printing as well as considerably less transport," the logistics expert explains.
Optimizing material flow
There is one side effect that is particularly useful for packaging printers who work for the food and pharmaceutical industries: Heidelberg Logistics uses plastic system pallets, which are much more hygienic than wooden pallets. The cardboard piles are jogged, aired, stripped of their plastic film, and delivered from the pile turner directly to the printing press: no more plastic film bits and shavings at the feeder.
As another positive side effect of Heidelberg Logistics, print shops optimize the material flow along their production chain, because the layout and benefit of the system depend on the quality of the in-house processes. Even a little effort at the beginning of the production chain - for example organizing the raw materials as needed in the production process or ordering pallets of the right height - pays off in the end. After all, the system pallets are also used in finishing, for example at the die-cutter Dymatrix 106 Pro.
Nonstop operation throughout the print run
"Heidelberg Logistics allows our customers to fully exploit the potential of their presses, because only nonstop production enables them to maintain the same high speed and quality throughout the print run," emphasizes Sommer. Comprehensive consultation is essential for customers to achieve this goal. In close cooperation with its global representatives, Heidelberg offers all those who invest in Logistics a corresponding system consultation. Heidelberg is convinced that "industrial packaging printers have good reason to seriously consider Logistics."
There is one side effect that is particularly useful for packaging printers who work for the food and pharmaceutical industries: Heidelberg Logistics uses plastic system pallets, which are much more hygienic than wooden pallets. The cardboard piles are jogged, aired, stripped of their plastic film, and delivered from the pile turner directly to the printing press: no more plastic film bits and shavings at the feeder.
As another positive side effect of Heidelberg Logistics, print shops optimize the material flow along their production chain, because the layout and benefit of the system depend on the quality of the in-house processes. Even a little effort at the beginning of the production chain - for example organizing the raw materials as needed in the production process or ordering pallets of the right height - pays off in the end. After all, the system pallets are also used in finishing, for example at the die-cutter Dymatrix 106 Pro.
Nonstop operation throughout the print run
"Heidelberg Logistics allows our customers to fully exploit the potential of their presses, because only nonstop production enables them to maintain the same high speed and quality throughout the print run," emphasizes Sommer. Comprehensive consultation is essential for customers to achieve this goal. In close cooperation with its global representatives, Heidelberg offers all those who invest in Logistics a corresponding system consultation. Heidelberg is convinced that "industrial packaging printers have good reason to seriously consider Logistics."
Available models with material logistics |
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