Heidelberg said the Packaging Speed Performance (PSP) versions of the machines were aimed at multinational packaging groups who require maximum throughput and minimal waste.

The enhanced presses are capable of more than 70m impressions per year, a 40% increase on the original 50m target of the Drupa 2008-launched standard machines.

New features on the PSP variants include a high-speed suction head, optimised sheet travel, new chain guide in the delivery, new gripper bars and enhanced dryers.

“These enhancements have been in development for two years, and re-use some of the knowledge and technology from the XL 106,” said Heidelberg UK key account manager and VLF product executive Gary Wilkinson.

“It took time because we wanted the headline performance to be a reality and not something that is only possible downhill with the wind behind it.”

The original versions of the XL 145 and 162 both had a maximum running speed of 15,000 sheets per hour, the new PSP versions run at 18,000 and 16,500sph respectively. While pricing was unavailable, Wilkinson said the PSP option was ‘not that bigger premium” over the standard versions and offered an ROI of as little as 18 months.

Heidelberg claimed that the new PSP versions of the XL 145 and 162 were now twice as productive as rivals’ state of the art machines were in 2007, prior to the launch of the original VLF XLs.

The firm added that it had sold over 100 format 6 and 7 presses to date and that assembly line 11 at Wiesloch-Walldorf, where they are made, is running at capacity until the end of fiscal year 14/15. Of the 100 machines two are installed in the UK.

In addition to presses Heidelberg also showed developments in its VLF post-press line. The 9,000sph Dymatrix XL 145 CSB die-cutter was shown with the new Dyset XL optical feed system. This enables the cutter to register to a printed mark, a high contrast part of the design or the edge of the sheet as required.