The two toner presses, developed with and built by Ricoh, have been designed to run alongside existing offset production lines, with the ability to switch output from offset to the Versafire presses in seconds.

“Our integrated solutions are a must for anyone who is looking to combine offset and digital printing and use them efficiently in tandem,” said Heidelberg CEO Ludwin Monz.

“That’s because Heidelberg has comprehensive process and application knowledge relating to both these printing methods, which makes us unique in the industry,” he continued.

The connection to printers’ existing workflow is powered by an enhanced version of Heidelberg’s Prinect Digital Frontend (DFE), which Heidelberg has tailored towards offset printers’ digital needs.

The presses, both capable of 2,400x4,800dpi, have automatic inline registration, calibration, and colour control, and can be refilled with toner and paper while in operation.

The Versafire LP, which takes up the production toner press mantle from the EP, is based on the Ricoh Pro C9500 and can run at the same top speed of up to 4,500sph in A3, or 8,100 at A4, taking it to a monthly maximum volume of around 1.3 million simplex A3 sheets.

Like its predecessor, it runs in CMYK only, and can handle sheets up to 1,030x330mm in duplex, and banners up to 1,260mm in simplex, though can handle heavier stocks than the EP at 470gsm, compared to 450.

The LV, replacing Heidelberg’s creative print EV, has been equipped with the same CMYK+1 configuration as the previous model. It is based on the Ricoh Pro C7500.

The fifth inking unit can be used for seven different spot colours, allowing for a flexible approach. Speeds on the LV are a little slower than the LP, with a top speed of 3,180 A3 sph, or 5,700 at A4, commensurate with the EV’s top production speeds.