Supertrap and Ecocool honored for Technical Innovation
Two Heidelberg solutions received the prestigious GATF
InterTech Awards. Supertrap/Supertrap Plus and Ecocool were honored
as examples of excellence in innovative technology for the graphic
communications industry by GATF. Heidelberg won two of the nine
awards this year and was the only company that received two winning
entries. The company has won 18 InterTech Awards since the program
was started in 1978 (11 winners since 1991).
Heidelberg was honored for its Supertrap software and
Ecocool, the first dryer with an integrated chill roll section. The
selection of a prepress/software product and a web press/hardware
product highlights Heidelberg's unique position as a solution
provider for the entire print media industry.
Modular PDF workflow
Supertrap is Heidelberg's unique PDF trapping software
that allows customers to create their own modular PDF workflows. It
is the first plug-in for Adobe Acrobat 4.0+ that traps native PDF
1.3 documents without the need for a conversion to an alternate
file format.
Supertrap offers both fully interactive trapping and some
automated trapping, especially useful when trapping multipage
documents. Trap decisions are based on neutral density, and since
each trap is identified as a unique vector object layer, each trap
can be edited independently of the others, or similar traps can be
edited simultaneously (size, direction, color, etc.).
Supertrap Plus adds the ability to create traps with special
corner requirements, such as mitered, acute, and beveled, as well
as the ability to edit the actual trap paths under visual and
interactive control. During the GATF evaluation process, one judge
stated, "It is fast, accurate and works flawlessly, but most
importantly, it propels the modular PDF workflow."
Improved print quality with new dryer system
Also honored was Heidelberg Web System's Ecocool, the first
dryer with an integrated chill roll section, which improves print
quality by eliminating condensation. Integrating the chill rollers
within the dryer prevents condensation from the release of solvent
vapors in the space between the dryer and chill rollers. Nine
small-diameter chill rollers improve heat transfer by turning the
web at sharper angles, creating tighter contact with the rollers
and eliminating sites for condensation to occur. Ecocool also
reduces the length of a press line by up to 3.5 meters. An
integrated web guide improves web dynamics and minimizes web
breaks.
"Heidelberg is proud of GATF's recognition of
Supertrap, Supertrap Plus and Ecocool. They are all indicative of
Heidelberg's commitment to developing integrated products focused
on our customers' needs," said Niels M. Winther, president
and CEO, Heidelberg USA. "Through innovations such as these,
we will continue to be the complete solutions provider for the
print media industry."
About GATF
The Graphic Arts Technical Federation is the world's
leading technical association for the graphic communications
industries. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, GATF partners with nearly
13,000 member companies in North America and 500 companies abroad
to develop leading-edge practices for printing and publishing. On
January 1, 1999, GATF consolidated with the world's largest
graphic arts trade association, Printing Industries of America, and
its 30 local affiliates. GATF/PIA now provides the industry with a
single source for technical and management solutions.
Image:
Ecocool from Heidelberg recieves the GATF InterTech
Award. It is the first dryer with an integrated chill roll section,
which improves print quality.
For further information:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Corporate Communications
Hilde Weisser
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 92 50 66
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 50 46
E-mail:
hilde.weisser@heidelberg.com