Heidelberg Launches New Linoprint CV and Linoprint CP

Three years after launching sales of the Linoprint C series of digital printing systems, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is unveiling a new generation of digital printing presses. The new Linoprint CV and Linoprint CP models are geared toward improved flexibility and productivity in the cost-effective production of short, personalized, and hybrid print runs. 

With a printing speed of 90 pages per minute, Heidelberg says the new Linoprint CV sets new standards in its performance class. The system will be able to print with five colors, making it unique in its segment. Besides the four primary colors, the system also offers white with high opacity or alternatively a coating with high gloss properties as an additional color – either as a full-area or spot coating. Switching between white and a coating is simple, which means both surface finishing techniques can be used with flexibility.

Users can choose from a huge variety of substrates, ranging from structured papers to coated media, colored paper and synthetic films. What’s more, because the Linoprint CV is designed for large paper formats, users can produce up to 700 mm long, three page folding brochures or posters in a single operation.

The multiple paper magazines in the system can be refilled on the fly, which keeps makeready times short. Several high-capacity magazines, which can be fitted with optional vacuum/suction-tape feeders, also ensure a continuous supply of paper without the operator having to constantly monitor the Linoprint CV. The system can thus also process long runs in a single pass, without interrupting production. A new, enlarged operating cockpit further enhances ease-of-use by helping the operator to both maintain a clear overview of every print job and re-run repeat jobs.

The new Linoprint CP produces advertising and presentation materials at a printing speed of 130 pages per minute, as well as high-quality personalized print products, professionally bound books, and brochures. The system has a modular design that safeguards a high level of availability. The image transfer and fusing units are physically separate, which reduces heat from affecting the process of image transfer and makes it easier to locate and clear paper jams. The standard configuration includes a vacuum/suction-tape feeder that ensures even difficult printing materials such as heavy coated media are fed into the press reliably. The inline finishing units offer a whole host of solutions – from high-capacity stacking, perforating, and folding all the way through to leaflets and books with adhesive binding. The Linoprint CP can also be used to process a range of materials, some of which can be quite challenging, such as structured papers and plastics. A color toner with a low melting point further increases the range of materials that can be printed. The press operates using a feedback monitoring system that automatically corrects toner density and thus delivers excellent color stability.

Both printing systems and the Prinect Digital Frontend will be available from spring 2015 and will replace the previous Linoprint C 751 and Linoprint C 901 models.

In 2011, Heidelberg began marketing digital printing systems from Ricoh in the value segment under the name Linoprint and now, a good three years later, finds itself in a successful, strategic partnership with the Japanese company. To date, Heidelberg has installed about 500 Linoprint C systems worldwide. Heidelberg is now marketing the Ricoh presses under the names Linoprint CV and Linoprint CP as much more developed versions, particularly with regard to the software functions and the integration capabilities those bring. Heidelberg is thus underscoring its expertise as the only conventional manufacturer in the sector to successfully offer integrated digital and offset applications.

“Partnerships are the key to long-term market success in the digital sector. By marketing highly developed digital printing systems from Ricoh, Heidelberg has succeeded in establishing itself as a digital print supplier in the sector,” said Jason Oliver, head of Business Area Digital at Heidelberg.