What does the Suprasetter 74 do?
The Suprasetter is an automatic platesetter that basically makes plates. It comes with Heidelberg’s Preflow packaging, which includes Prinect Signastation, MetaDimension, Adobe Acrobat Professional, Enfocus Pitstop, Heidelberg PDF Toolbox (trap editor, colour and PDF assistant) and PC server hardware.

Why did you choose this particular machine?
Because it ticked all the boxes with regards speed, reliability and price.

Did you look at any other similar machines?
We looked at the Heidelberg Topsetter, but decided the Suprasetter’s advances were worth the extra investment.

What features do you particularly like?
We have the Suprasetter with a single-cassette loader (SCL). The automation on the system means you can leave the machine running while the operator gets on with the next job. We also like the ease with which the machine minders can remake a plate if they have any problems during a night shift. In addition, it replaces an outside repro supply, which will save us money and give us greater control of quality and timescale. We are JDF-enabled and will be able to link business and production functions as much as we need to.

How fast is it?
At the moment, we are producing roughly 18 plates an hour, but with different chemistry, we can run faster. We’ve already had it running at 24 plates an hour.

What’s the quality like?
As with all Heidelberg products, the quality of the build and the final product – the plate – is excellent.

Who do you think the machine is right for?
This machine is a fantastic workhorse for any B2 printer producing 1,000 plates or more a month.

Would you say it has won you any new work?
It has definitely won us new work as we can now turn jobs around much faster.

Were there any difficulties experienced during installation or the commissioning stage?
There were no real problems in terms of the installation. However, we did have problems when Kodak changed over its chemistry and we have since changed to Agfa, which has solved the problem with regards the developer, but we have a problem with holes in the plates. As usual, though, Heidelberg is sorting this out and we expect this to be resolved very soon.

How much time or money would you say it has saved you?
Because we didn’t have our own repro before, that’s difficult to quantify, but it’s well into the thousands each month because we’re no longer using outside repro suppliers.

Under what circumstances would you buy another?
I don’t envisage Identity requiring another machine for a while. No matter how busy the presses are, we can never seem to keep repro busy. It’s not just the machine, it’s the software that drives it.

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CONCLUSION
User’s verdict
Speed 4/5
Quality 4/5
Reliability 4/5
Value for money 4/5

Supplier’s response
Guy Elliott, Heidelberg UK CTP product manager says: “We are delighted that Identity has had such success with the Suprasetter, especially as it is its first venture into CTP. The R&D resources within Heidelberg are looking at the consumables issues raised in tandem with our suppliers to ensure a speedy resolution.”
Price £100,000 including SCL
Contact Heidelberg UK 020 8490 3500