Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Presstek -- Stock of the Decade?? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: SG who wrote (9688)	7/14/1998 8:19:00 PM
From: NEIL MACK	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 11098

Scott, It appears that Presstek has negotiated a technology contract for the new Quickmaster DI-II! Many I have spoke to in the industry seemed to believe Heidelberg might go to CREO for the technology for this exciting new press. Now, it looks like we have our answer! This new QMDI-II press is supposed to be a brand new design from what I can learn.....something on the same line as the Karat-74. Can't help but wonder what the engineering fees and new kit costs may provide as Presstek patents are again utilized. Also, we can speculate on a new Flexo-DI Press that appears to be under development in Heidelberg. From DotPrint, 7-14-98 Will the Speedmaster DI be at Ipex? - 'most probably' Heidelberg's larger format direct imaged press is on its way to Ipex, though chairman Hartmut Mehdorn will only say that the Speedmaster 74 DI will "most probably" be there. The imaging system for the B2 press has been developed by Heidelberg partner Creo rather than Presstek, developer of the imaging system on the Quickmaster DI. However while this is a pure direct imaged press, the SM 74-DI is something of a hybrid, allowing conventional plates to be used as well as non-process thermal plates. "The printer is more secure with an investment of this sort, it's a comfortable way for him to move into direct to press," he says. This may be a lesson learned from the somewhat disappointing sales of the QM-DI. Nor do customers wish to be locked into a single family of consumables, hence the SM74-DI will work with any thermal non-process plate. The catch is that only Presstek and Kodak make such plates. "We can't afford to lock Heidelberg into one technology," Mr Mehdorn continues. The reason for choosing Creo over Presstek was, he says, a matter of speed, Creo offering the faster solution using an adaptation of the laser used on its Trendsetter. Nevertheless, Presstek has not fallen out of favour. It will provide the laser imaging system for a new generation QM-DI to be shown at Drupa 2000. At the same event, Heidelberg has pledged to unveil the first fruits of its project with KPG. This will be a toner-based non-impact press that already has the attentions of 250 staff in Kiel and Rochester working on the project. Another new project that Heidelberg is working on is its first flexo press design. At present, development work is going on for a hybrid design of press using conventional, and then flexo print units. However, Mr Mehdorn adds: "There's no product design so far, though a team of engineers is working on the project. It has been the advent of "digital imaging", on or off press that has made flexo attractive and into a useful technology for printing." Equally, Heidelberg may incorporate flexo into other types of press, Mr Mehdorn saying: "Flexo is the biggest gap in Heidelberg's armoury. I see us developing press lines with flexo units. "In the same way that Heidelberg has forged a partnership with Creo "in order to get a head start in the technology", a move on a flexo press supplier has not been ruled out. ____________________________________________________________________________ The real exciting news here is an addition to the vast arsenal of "razors" that are multiplying rapidly, as new announcements of DI press's, thermal platesetters, and proofing systems from manufacturers take hold, ready to burn thousands of "razor blades" way beyond any prior plate predictions. Add to that Battelle earnings that could be derived from the new Delta V technology, this stock could soon propel to new record highs. Neil