Heidelberg is waiting for a planning application to be approved before confirming the first UK order for a Jetfire 50, the version of the Canon iX3200 that has been OEM’d as Heidelberg’s first small format sheetfed inkjet press.
This was put through its paces at the Hunkeler Innovation Days along with a debut for the Fireline fully automated folding system that has been developed to match the capabilities of the press. As the deal for the press was only announced at Drupa last year, development of the Fireline has been accomplished in double quick time.
Officially the Stahlfolder TH56/66 Fireline, the folder borrows from existing capabilities elsewhere in the Heidelberg finishing portfolio to produce a machine which should be able to run inline with the press, though a pallet fed delivery will be preferred.
Operation is through Prinect, ultimately the cloud based Prinect Touch Free once this is available later in the year. A 2D barcode is used to identify the sheet and to download the settings into the finishing line. The basis is a TH56/66 six-plate buckle folder which changes settings according to the barcode instructions. Print to stop technology adopted from larger folders is deployed to ensure hands free operation.
The first section includes perforating and creasing cylinders to help fold thicker materials. Slitting might also be carried out by tools in this section, says product manager postures at Heidelberg UK Ian Trengrouse. “There are multiple options on booking here,” he says.
The Fireline is capable of delivering trimmed posters, without folding, 6pp DL leaflets, book blocks from the same pile of printed sheets. Single-sheet processing is possible without undue delays as the line is fully autonomous in operation.
At Hunkeler Innovation Days it ran through a repertoire of three jobs per short demo.
The key factor is that the machine builds on automation that has been improved continuously over the last two decades such that, says Trengrouse, “the folder is not reliant on an operator remembering what looking or wha settings to use for each job and job type”. This means, he adds, that non skilled operators are capable of running the machine, saving costs for the print company.
Further Fireline products can be expected as Heidelberg continues to expand the press portfolio. This was Heidelberg’s first full appearance at the event, having previously been represented by a folding unit or two and been precluded because it produced only litho presses.
