Heidelberg Launches LED Drying Technology in Europe

More and more industrialized commercial print shops around the world are utilizing the benefits of UV technology.
 
Arriving completely dry in the delivery, the sheet can be forwarded directly to postpress, while the range of suitable substrates stretches from paper to plastic and films. Very high levels of gloss can be achieved, thus supporting an extensive range of special effects.
 
As a result, print shops can gain a competitive advantage by standing out from the crowd and handling short print runs and multiple job changes in the shortest possible time. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG supports print shops by supplying the best drying and radiation technology to suit their specific needs – from lamp technology for full UV and LE (low energy) UV to new diode technology with LEDs (light emitting diodes).
 
Many commercial print shops have already opted for the environmentally friendly DryStar LE UV dryer. Now, companies can invest in the next level of innovation – DryStar LED.
 
Developed by Heidelberg, the DryStar LED system has been designed specifically for sheetfed offset and scores top marks in radiation and energy efficiency values, cutting energy consumption by an additional 50% compared to the DryStar LE UV and as much as 90% compared to the DryStar UV.
 
Heidelberg offers a complete package for LED that comprises machine, consumables and service. Thanks to full integration into the press, intuitive operation via the Prinect Press Center, remote services compatibility and coordinated Saphira consumables, DryStar LED delivers excellent process reliability and productivity at up to 18,000 sheets per hour.
 
This performance has been proven on more than 20 presses installed in Japan since 2013. The first systems in the US will then be installed at the end of the year, while the roll-out in the rest of the world is scheduled for the start of next year.
 
The world’s first Speedmaster XL 75 with DryStar LED went into operation at the end of 2014 at Abächerli Media AG in Sarnen, Switzerland. During an open house event in September, the company presented its eight-color press with coating unit to existing and prospective customers. Abächerli has already used LED consumables to produce more than 20 million sheets that have impressed customers with their outstanding quality.