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[eastppress]

Although we are not using process-less plates (we use Fuji plates through their new Z processor), we have been using the Suprasetter with cassette loading. It was installed and started running in mid-June. Installation support was excellent. The machine runs at 1 plate per 2 minutes with no slow-down for plate size changes or plate cassette reloading. The ability to load 400 plates of mixed sizes (4 trays of 100), auto slipsheet removal into a flat tray, alerts for low plates/paper tray full/filter changes, etc makes the unit highly efficient as we produce 200 to 400+ plates per day from this one machine. We send one-bit tiff's from our Rampage system into the Tiff toolbox then through the metashooter. No problems here as the flow keeps up with plate imaging. Due to the large volume of plates, we are cleaning the pickup roller every day and maybe every shift. Phone support coordination wasn't great until we worked out an effective response system (we have 10 presses that must be kept fed 24/7 -much is JIT, so our demand is extreme.) Support has gotten better and meets our needs. Most of the initial support needs came from break-in glitches and a couple of manufacturing defects now fixed. Heidelberg's commitment has been excellent. Due to our significant volume, I wish it were faster as I have heard others are, but it's faster than what we had previously. Our employees have come to appreciate its benefits of speed, ease of use, infrequent loading, etc. We are anticipating installing a second unit to take on the other 200-400 plates per day we are imaging on other units. I'd like to convince senior management for a 3rd unit for true JIT production. It interfaces with our newer Heidelberg presses for ink setting/etc.