Finishing Solutions
Since its move to new premises, Graffix Digital in Chesham has installed the latest Ideal 5560 hydraulic guillotine from Ashgate Automation, together with a Kasfold Sprint 3000 bookletmaker and TR 2 trimmer.
Amongst a diverse range of print, promotional, fulfilment and distribution services which the company has perfected over the last 30 years, it specialises in short run manuals, brochures and booklets printed on a Canon C850 digital press.
Michael Boyle, managing director, said: ‘As our print runs can be as few as 40 to 50 copies, machine speed was not the issue. We needed an easy set up which would enable us to produce quality products quickly in house. Jobs often have to be turned round the same day.’
‘We had built up a good relationship with Ashgate having bought several pieces of equipment over the years so we asked the company’s advice. We wanted to bring as much work in-house as possible,’ he added.
The Ideal 5560 was recommended. This is an advanced programmable guillotine with a 56 cm cutting length. Michael explained that while it was not the cheapest, it gave the company the precision cutting, intuitive controls and digital functions it needed. Its programs allowed the set up of repeat work from day one. Operated by a 7 inch touch screen display, it provides faster cutting and clamping than previous models. ‘Set up is fast and easy. Business cards and other repeat work fly through it and most importantly it is much more accurate than the previous guillotine,’ said Michael.
At the same time, Graffix decided to replace its old bookletmaker with the Kasfold Sprint 3000 and TR2 trimmer. The Sprint 3000 produces A4, A5 and A6 finished quality booklets and is much faster and more accurate than the company’s previous machine. Each collated set is fed into the bookletmaker by hand, jogged from both sides, centre stapled, folded and front edge trimmed, if required. It takes up to 25 sheets plus a cover, which can be laminated.
