To adapt its production facilities to the changing needs of the periodicals market, Belgian printer Moderna Printing has installed a web-fed sheetfed offset line, combining a Speedmaster XL 106 with Contiweb equipment. According to the Dutch manufacturer Contiweb, this is the first configuration of its kind installed in Europe.
This line combines a Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 106 sheet-fed press, a CutStar reel cutter and a Contiweb CB N non-stop unwinder equipped with an automatic gluing system.
Automatic splicing enables reel changes to be made without stopping the press. Production interruptions are reduced, and output remains stable throughout the print run. The system also retains some of the advantages of reel-to-reel production, such as the ability to cut sheets to the exact format required.
Moderna Printing explains that this development is a response to the transformation of its business. " In the past, a large part of our production was advertising leaflets," says Eric Bongaerts, CEO of Moderna Printing. "Today, the focus is more on magazines, catalogs and specialized publications, generally produced in shorter runs."
Until now, sheetfed offset was mainly used for covers, while inside pages were printed on continuous offset lines. With this new configuration, the Belgian printer can now produce complete magazines in sheetfed offset for smaller volumes, while retaining web offset for larger print runs.
"With this investment, we have strategically expanded our portfolio" says Marijn Poelmans, Production Manager at Moderna Printing. "We want to continue to serve our existing customers, which also means remaining competitive on shorter runs."
For Contiweb, this installation illustrates an evolution in the periodical printing market. " After an initial installation in the United States, this project with Moderna Printing confirms the growing interest in combining the efficiency of web-fed production with the flexibility of sheet-fed offset." says Rob Bosman, Sales Director at Contiweb.
