The new portfolio includes:

• Highcon Beam 3 with optional new Beam Writer for offline writing of DART foils for folding carton production;
• Vulcan1, a next-generation system with 1.4 x 1.7 sheet size, which is still under development for the corrugated packaging and display sector; and
• an upgrade to the Highcon Beam 2C that facilitates the expansion of Highcon’s footprint in the short- and medium-run corrugated market.

“In this challenging environment, Highcon’s customers are successfully using ‘the right tool for the right job’ to optimize their plant productivity, overcome capacity limitations, improve agility, cost-effectiveness and efficiency and better serve their customers – all while maximizing their return on investment,” said Shlomo Nimrodi, Highcon’s CEO. “Inspired by our amazing customers, their feedback and how they’re using our solutions today – as well as inputs that we’ve received over several years – Highcon will be demonstrating [at Drupa] how digital die cutting is becoming mainstream. The time to die cut digitally has arrived.”

The JFX600-2531 printer includes nine vacuum zones that can be manually opened or closed with a turn of a valve. The larger bed size of the JFX600-2531 printer can also accommodate oversized sheets with a total printable area of up to 98.4 in. (2500 mm) wide x 122 in. (3100 mm) long and up to 2.36 in. (60 mm) thick. This capability accommodates a 5 x 10-ft board. The JFX600-2531 printer is expected to be available for order this summer.

Additionally, Mimaki USA unveils the CFX Series of production flatbed cutters in three table sizes. The CFX Series can achieve a tool moving speed of up to 60 m/min (39 in/min), and acceleration of 0.7G that reduces machining time. Four tools can be used simultaneously. Two types of controls are selectable: a pressure control with a maximum of 30 kg (294 N), and a position control that enables high-quality cutting and ruled lining. The ball screw on the Z-axis allows pressures from 5 to 30 kg (49 to 294 N). Two processing modes can be selected for ruled lining: pressure-controlled mode and position-controlled mode, depending on the material. Based on the pre-measured flatness information of the table surface, the tool height is automatically adjusted according to the table position to reduce the occurrence of over-cutting and left-over cutting. The CFX Series of cutters is also expected to be available for order this summer.

The Kongsberg C68 Exact drafting and cutting machine has been specifically developed for industries demanding the utmost accuracy, such as the aviation, aerospace or adjacent precision-focused sectors.

“Built for those sectors with extremely high expectations of accuracy combined with a large area, the Kongsberg C68 Exact sets a new standard for precision in very large format drawing and light cutting,” said Stuart Fox, CEO and president of Kongsberg PCS. “With this latest innovation, we are realizing our stated ambition of exploring new markets and delivering on our objective of further developing our digital solutions to grow the Kongsberg brand beyond the print and packaging industries.”

The system has a board feeder with undercam, the new Q-Line cutter generation, and an off-load unit. Working together, the new machine components generate a speed of up to 2.8 m/s.

The new substructure for Q-Line cutters is made from concrete. The beams are made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic.

The new VersaStudio GS2-24 provides small and home-based businesses with a professional cutting solution. It offers a cutting pressure of up to 500 gf and a maximum cutting speed of 850 mm per second. It’s capable of cutting a wide variety of materials, from thin heat transfer sheets and window films to thick paper and rubber sheets for sandblasting, as well as commonly used vinyl sheets.

This next-generation desktop cutter is suitable for sports apparel, T-shirt customization, indoor and outdoor advertisements and signs, vehicle graphics, and office displays.

“The compact size, ease of use, and affordability of our VersaStudio Series offerings, including the new GS2-24 vinyl cutter, make these devices ideal for anyone who wants to launch a new business, grow a current business, or work from home,” said Roland DGA’s product manager of digital print, Daniel Valade. “Like our recently introduced VersaStudio BN-20A desktop printer/cutter, the GS2-24 vinyl cutter is a solution that fits in perfectly with today’s growing interest in digital technologies and diversification of work styles.”

It features inside-outside printing in a single pass, complex diecutting capabilities and quick changeovers on the full line.

“The Masterline DRO has been designed to match market demands for valuable packaging, faster delivery times and more sustainable operations including the new e-commerce requirements,” said David Arnaud, product marketing director, FFG DRO. “As brand owners demand ever higher diecutting and printing quality from their corrugated packaging suppliers, achieving both, while retaining a profit margin, has become increasingly important for box makers. Masterline DRO achieves exactly that, and we believe it sets a new benchmark in the industry.”

Using Zünd Connect, the customer can see at a glance when and, more importantly, why machine interruptions occur, how much time is spent in setup and the availability of each machine.

This web-based monitoring tool gives the user access to cutter-performance data at a glance, any time of day. The system records productivity levels over a freely definable period using Zünd Cut Center Version 3.4 or later as data source.

Data monitoring provides information users need in order to make informed decisions. This comprehensive overview of production data reveals connections that are often overlooked. Zünd Connect supplies valuable key performance indicators for assessing how efficiently cutting systems are working.

As part of Standard Horizon’s popular RD series of die-cutters, the system can die-cut, kiss-cut, emboss/deboss, crease/score, perforate, slit, hole punch and round corner in a single pass or in multiple combinations for a wide range of applications including business cards, invitations, labels, door hangers and light packaging.

With the addition of the SPC-N4055 Separator and optional CSD-40RD Card Stacker, the system also eliminates the need for manual separating and counting at the delivery section to allow operators to work more efficiently, to improve accuracy with an automated, verified piece count and to increase production efficiency for small and short-run pieces.

“The RD-N4055 is a welcome addition to our proven line of RD die-cutters,” said David Reny, executive vice-president, Standard Finishing Systems. “Our manufacturing partners at Horizon listened closely to customers and end users and created a combination system that improves on previous generations of die-cutters while introducing new levels of automation for a highly productive, operator-friendly system that can easily keep up with today’s short-run, on-demand market.”

The BN-20A delivers the same ease of use, print quality and versatility of the original BN-20, but by removing the recirculating specialty colour channel for white and metallic inks, Roland DGA is able to offer this value-packed “business in a box” for $4,995 (MSRP).

With its combined functionality, reliability and affordability, the BN-20A is suitable for anyone looking to start a home-based business, or for existing shops that want to expand by adding print-and-cut applications.

“Our new BN-20A makes VersaStudio desktop printer/cutter performance more affordable than ever,” said Daniel Valade, Roland DGA Manager of digital print. “This compact, yet powerful device is just the ticket for start-ups and existing operations. It’s an incredibly versatile, easy-to-use device that offers legendary Roland DG quality and reliability at an unbelievable price.”

Incorporated in 1878, New York Label & Box Works have facilities in New York and New Jersey, and provide packaging services.

The Edale press comes with 1500-mm in diameter unwind, allowing for longer runs. It can handle substrates up to 700-micron board. It also includes Edale’s (AiiR) Autonomous inking, impression plus EZ register technology, which “guarantees precision throughout the print run, improves quality and reduces waste.”

Darren Pickford, sales director, Edale, said, “We have known New York Label & Box since 2014 and were delighted when they joined us last year for a virtual demonstration to see the FL5 press in production of cartons. They were very impressed with the quality of the print, single-pass efficiency, and cost benefits.”

“Our investment will allow us to present to our clients new embellishment possibilities, a lower cost of manufacturing due to greater operational efficiency and speed of response,” said Steven Haedrich, president, New York Label & Box Works.

It plays a fundamental role in interconnecting the postpress sector as an integral part of the smart print shop.

The intelligent knife ensures full transparency in the cutting process. The precise evaluation of cutting data promises a range of optimizations. For example, all conceivable knife data is stored on an integrated RFID chip, such as its quality, grinding angle and the number of grinding processes. An RFID reader built into the cutting machine, in turn, reads the information. The networkable cutting machine sends the collected knife data, as well as errors, setup and run times, to the secure IntelliKnife Cloud. In the cloud, the data is collected and processed. A clear web-based user interface allows access to reporting and analysis of the machine performance. With its modern interface, IntelliKnife integrates into existing in-house BDE/MIS systems.

IntelliKnife is currently available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

These next-generation machines are capable of cutting almost any shape from a broad range of materials, such as thin automotive films and heat transfer sheets to thick reflective sheets and sandblast masks.

This makes the GR2-640 and GR2-540 ideal for applications such as signs, decals, window film, vehicle wraps and sports apparel.

“The new GR2 series cutters are uniquely designed to work hand-in-glove with Roland DG printers, making it easier and faster than ever to contour cut the stunning graphics that come off our inkjets,” said Daniel Valade, Roland DGA product manager of digital print.

Pacific Innovations found themselves in a bind when they couldn’t keep up production due to their chemical packaging process. They decided to overhaul their packaging service and bring their label printing and label finishing in-house.

“Having the ability to print and die cut our own labels gives us the ability to keep up with demand in real time,” says Tom Januszewski. “We were ordering our isopropyl labels online before and the lead times and lack of flexibility for roll labels had us researching how we could do this ourselves. Bringing in equipment to print all of our label designs and a digital label finishing machine like the Anycut III has really helped streamline our packaging process.”

The digital prints from Pacific Innovations label printer are put on the Anycut III to create cut-to-size labels. Having the ability to cut any shape and size is important when there are a wide variety of short runs and custom stickers. The laser finisher is equipped with inline lamination to protect the label materials from hazardous chemicals and allows Pacific Innovations to produce labels as they are needed.

Braintree Printing, a trade printer in Braintree, Mass., needed a higher throughput cutter to handle the challenges of its 20-hour production days. The company that specializes in “crazy fast turnaround times” selected the new POLAR 115 from Heidelberg to replace an aging cutter.

“We are very deadline oriented and make tight delivery commitments. We can’t afford any downtime, so we need our equipment to be up and running when our finishing crew arrives at 6:00 a.m. to finish the work that was printed the previous day. Our current POLAR cutter has always been extremely reliable, so we knew we would have the same experience with the new 115 as well,” said Jim Corliss, marketing manager at Braintree Printing.

Equipped with offset and digital capabilities, Braintree Printing’s POLAR 115 complements its already extensive bindery capabilities, which includes die cutting, perfect binding, and its existing POLAR 78.

According to Corliss, “While there are less expensive cutters on the market, the POLAR 115 is far more productive, worry-free, and longer lasting than its competitors, so our total cost of ownership is actually lower than it would be with other machines.”

Click here to see a short video about Braintree Printing’s new POLAR 115.

Tony Collins, production manager, and Nick Larsen, bindery operator of Peczuh Printing with the newly installed Stahlfolder Ti 36from Heidelberg.

Also needing a more productive finishing solution, Peczuh Printing in Price, Utah, installed a new Stahlfolder Ti 36from Heidelberg to better service the growing pharmaceutical and nutraceutical side of its business. The Ti 36 is designed for small-formats and miniature folding applications, such as mini-booklets or packaging inserts for pharmaceutical products. Replacing an older Stahlfolder, the new Ti 36 began running live jobs in Peczuh’s facility a mere two days after the machine arrived at its facility, and the plant’s operators immediately noticed improvements.

“Our operators are no longer frustrated at the end of the day. Now they’re excited about the new technology and have started testing the machine’s boundaries to see how far they can push it,” said Frank Peczuh, owner of Peczuh Printing.

Committed to a vibrant, healthy future for the printing industry, Peczuh Printing prides itself on continuously taking care of its customers “once they have invited us in.” The new Stahlfolder purchase helps achieve this goal through“enhanced efficiency, better quality folding, and faster turnaround times.” With an increasing demand for this specialized small-format folding, Peczuh also sees its capabilities with the new Ti 36 as growth potential for the company.

“These three releases bolster our legacy segments with new and exciting features to help customers keep their competitive edge,” said Rick Salinas, vice president of Marketing at Duplo USA.

550i Hydraulic Cutter

The 150 Booklet System is ideal for low to mid-volume runs and provides an entry-level solution for providers considering bringing their booklet-making in-house. With production speeds of up to 2,400 booklets per hour, the 150 Booklet System performs saddle and corner/side stapling up to 25 sheets. It can transition from letter-size to CD-size jobs within minutes, with minimal tooling required.

The DP-X850 Digital Duplicator is a digital duplicator that was designed to handle long runs that certain sectors require and at faster speeds. It can print documents at 600 dpi up to 200 sheets per minute.

The programmable DocuCutter HC-550i Hydraulic Cutter comes with operational and safety features not typically found in other cutters of this size, including a rail back gauge system, UL certification and 10-inch touchscreen control panel. The DocuCutter can cut through stacks of paper up to 21.6 inches wide and finishes postcards, direct mail and perfect bound books up to 3.5 inches in height. It also comes barcode-ready to instantly retrieve any pre-programmed job.

The new printer/cutters expand the company’s existing VersaUV product line. Roland DG is also introducing new Greenguard Gold certified EUV5 ink available in CMYK, clear, white and primer along with the new machinery. Along with the new True Rich Color II print setting, the inks paired with the new printer/cutters widen the colour gamut and deliver vibrant graphics and natural skin tones. In addition, the new EUV5 White ink is higher opacity, which allows it to be effective as a base coat or when printing on transparent film or dark paper.

The LEC2-640 and LEC2-330 feature advanced print head technology for precision dot placement and control, as well as new larger, more powerful LED lamps for higher print quality, improved colour saturation and faster ink curing. In addition, the new printers feature new optimized cleaning and maintenance sequences that help keep the print heads clean. Both models feature sleek, durable construction and come with an included TU4 unit for automatic media take-up.

The 64-inch LEC2-640 is ideal for creating larger signage, displays and interior décor, while the 30-inch LEC2-330 works well for label and packaging applications. Both models can print on actual press substrates.

The LEC2-330 can include an optional TB-30 Tension Bar to enable direct printing on film as thin as 30 microns for flexible packaging. There is also an optional ET-30 Extension Table for this model that allows for printing on a variety of paper stocks and aluminum metallized papers for folding carton packaging jobs.

The Stack 1212 reduces manual print handling and consolidates labour-intensive finishing operations into a single-pass automated process. The press supports 1-up to 21-up impositions; handles papers from 70 to 350 gsm; input up to 6,000 B2 sheets per hour; output as small as 4” x 5” postcards; and spans about 100 square feet.

The Stack 1212 features a double cut/gutter capability for bleed print, and a cutter/slitter cartridge-based approach for fast and easy job changeovers. It features efficient offline operation to handle output from multiple presses. An optional pallet feeder option leads to easy integration into an existing environment. Output sheets are neatly stacked and delivered – each job can be delivered to the conveyor one at a time, individually offset within the stack or delivered when the operator-programmed stack height is reached.

“Tecnau is excited to launch the Stack 1212. We believe it’s a cost-effective and space efficient cutting/stacking solution for users of B2 color digital presses looking to automate their finishing,” said Scott Peterson, Tecnau product marketing manager.

The RSC 2.0 boasts transport speeds of up to 550 m/min (1,800 fpm); user-friendly touch screen panel with 2,000 job memory; vertical or horizontal inspection configurations; and unwind diameter support up to 1,020 mm (40 in.). Other standard design features include automatic tension control and S-drive servo operation.

A vertical vacuum splice table allows for simple web splices and eliminates the need for web clamping. The waste rewind is positioned below the splice table, providing an ergonomic solution to the operator having to bend throughout the entire splicing operation.

A horizontal splice table is also available. Tension control is maintained during high speed stops through the automated web tension management system.

The slitter rewinder’s quick change slitting cartridge system allows for a faster set-up time with less downtime for job or blade changes. Tool-less cartridge exchange with pre-mounted set-up gauge rules offers safe changeovers in as little as 30 seconds.

EMT/Rotocontrol will provide direct 24/7 technical support and remote service for the RSC 2.0.

Adams is a long-standing Bobst customer, already owning five flatbed die-cutters, two of which are VisionCut machines and a range of folder-gluers, including a MasterFlex five-colour printing press.

Since its launch, VisionCut has been a popular pick with manufacturers – it can handle all types of materials and suitable for both long and short runs, Bobst said, and combines robustness, low cost ownership, straightforward handling, and optimum performance to meet the needs of today’s converters.

Adams supplies a wide range of corrugated packaging to sectors including food and beverage, industrial chemicals, point of sale and display signage, and more recently e-commerce markets.

“We are operating in a very competitive environment and we are strongly attuned to the needs of the market in order to quickly respond to any new developments and expectations of our customers. It’s important that our equipment and infrastructure enables us to deliver the high-quality standards that both we and our customers demand,” said Adam Skrzyniarz, founder and president of the management board at Adams. “Thanks to VisionCut, our customers can receive high-quality products, precisely tailored to their needs, for the best price. The machine offers a short changeover time, helping us to maximize uptime and productivity, along with an advanced print-to-cut register system which delivers the high precision and accuracy that we need.”

VisionCut was designed to be compact, ideal for companies looking for a machine with a small footprint, and easily integrated into existing production lines. For added value, it also supports a range of peripherals, increasing production output and flexibility further – both features were key selling points for Adams when choosing the die-cutter.

Installation was efficient and didn’t interrupt the production process, and Bobst worked closely with Adams’ technicians to ensure the set up was to their requirements and ran smoothly.

Delivering speeds of 30 m/min with acceleration of 0.3G and able to handle display, signage and packaging materials – from kiss cutting vinyl to heavy duty milling – the Kongsberg X Edge is suitable for short-run production, sample making and other packaging-related jobs, as well as signage and display production.

“The Kongsberg X Edge has been specially designed to ensure there is no sacrifice in machine configuration, with all the options you would expect from the Kongsberg X Series available,” says Russell Weller, Product Manager at Esko. “The difference is that as your company grows, the Kongsberg X Edge evolves with you. It can be easily upgraded in terms of both speed and acceleration to ensure it keeps up with your business demands.

“This new innovation has been developed to ensure great quality for any job or application. The extra fast tool loading, auto recognition and calibration features are ideal for short run jobs, with the added flexibility of an optional conveyor system available to support automated board and roll feeding when required.”

Delivering a variety of milling options to match throughput requirements, the Kongsberg X Edge also boasts “perfect print-to-cut registration,” even in cases of heavy distortion and jobs longer than the table.

“The Kongsberg X Edge is the perfect tool for cutting flexo plates and patches, operating in tandem, both physically and digitally, with existing imaging devices,” adds Russell. “Easily fitting into a truly tailored workflow, it can also be equipped to produce dedicated shipping boxes for finished plates.”

The engineering of the rack and pinion drive, the construction of the tabletop and the quality of the motors and traverse all combine to ensure that the table provides the greatest cutting accuracy and consistency, the company explains.

The digital cutter features the ASF8000 high-speed auto sheet feeder and the digital FB8000 digital flatbed cutter for a comprehensive packaging cutting solution, it explains. The feeder, Intec says, can stack up to 25 kg of media to a depth of 22.5 cm and automatically feeds and places printed sheets onto the flatbed’s conveyor cutting table. The flatbed cutter uses a dual tool-cutting and creasing head to deliver 1 kg of force on up to 600 micron media; cut jobs are advanced to the collection tray.

Using the bespoke ColorCut Pro3 software, operators get a live view of the process through the onboard video camera, which reads QR codes to retrieve the associated cut file and smart marks to compensate for sheet skew or printer stretch. SmartLine colours are used to determine the specific cutting/creasing/perforating functions and their preferred order.

The motorized roll feeder, according to Esko, is the only solution in the soft signage industry that delivers great cutting results on tensile materials from the very first cut through to the end of the roll. Designed to eliminate inaccurate cuts on soft signage jobs due to wrinkles, stretch distortion or imperfectly rewound rolls, the solution incorporates an active material feed to avoid stretch by actively feeding the material to the Kongsberg C64 digital cutting table, rather than pulling it.

Meanwhile the new upgradable Kongsberg C Edge is said to deliver high speed production capability of up to 75m/min at an acceleration of 1G, designed to keep up with the demands of today’s wide-format digital print market. The table is complemented with a range of customizable fittings, including a conveyor feed system, a new Fast Tool Adapter designed to reduce downtime and maximize performance, a heavy-duty unit for corrugated crease lines, and the CorruSpeed tool, a non-oscillating device for cutting.

Key features of the solution include: the ability to handle stock from 1 mil to 40 point; spring-loaded, pressure-sensitive semi-slitting heads that adjust to the cutting surface; and the ability to cut-score card stocks. The Champion SS, Rollem says, is suitable for slitting labels, stickers, retail shelf tags, and industrial components. For products that require a unique shape, the Insignia die-cutter system will not only kiss-cut but die-cut products in one pass, the company says. The SS is available in a range of configurations to meet specific user needs.

The new cutting module SSM-570, connected after the punch machines, removes and shreds stamp scraps. In the SSM-570, rollers, turning synchronously with the punch machines, take the scraps to the cutting blades. Suction (optionally also a conveyor belt) removes the shredded material from the working area. The maximum working width for the SSM-570 is 570 mm at present. At Hunkeler Innovationdays 2019, the new cutting module is downstream to a rotating punch machine, BSR 550 Servo, from the company Bograma AG.

The new Hunkeler Document Destruction System HDDS 20 destroys paper documentation and electronic data carriers; for paper, the HDDS 20 fulfills the requirements for security levels P3 and P4 according to the Norm DIN 66399. For optical data carriers the system corresponds to all relevant security levels, the company explains. The dust-free function of the HDDS 20 is suitable for document destruction in an office environment.

Another new development is the compact suction HKU 2000-N, designed to ensure nonstop-production on a small surface area with only one waste container. During the changeover of a full for an empty container, the paper waste is retained in a short-term buffer. The suction needn’t be switched off, and production without interruption is insured.

“Whether it is a rebuilt machine or one that is certified used, there is something available at every price level. Some machines can ship within one to two weeks. That’s also true for other equipment, such as our paper joggers, lifts and automatic unloaders, as well as three-knife trimmers. If a customer is looking for repair service, knife grinding services or help moving or transporting their machines, we can assist with that too,” says Bruce Peterson, President and CEO of Colter & Peterson.

As an independent distributor of industrial paper cutters and paper handling equipment, Colter & Peterson has sold over 10,000 machines, including over 2,000 new SABER paper cutters and PRISM paper cutters over its 85-year history. C&P also offers reconditioned and certified used machines.

“Some may work and some may not, and there is the added cost when it breaks down. Our program, which is accessed through our website, offers customers across-the-board assurance whether they are buying a new product, one that we have rebuilt or one that is certified used,” he notes.

Designed to die-cut materials up to 30 pt. thickness, the system is suitable for ID cards, gift cards, school IDs and memberships. The ISX3, the company explains, is designed for flexible sheet sizes of 24 x 24 inches, enabling the ability to feed sheets either portrait or landscape. Performing functions including die-cutting, kiss cutting, embossing, creasing and perforating in a single pass, Rollem says the Insignia delivers a speedy ROI coupled with quick set-ups and easy change-overs utilizing flexible dies.

It is also suitable for digital printers offering customized products such as folded cartons for cosmetics, soaps, craft boxes, beverage labels, and retail hang tags, card carriers, industrial components, promotional products and much more. The InsigniaX3 is the newest model to join the IS5 (20 x 15 inches), the IS6 (20 x 20 inches) and the IS7 (30 x 24 inches) sizes.

Insignia 6 offers new solutions to die cutting demands in the digital market. With a 20 x 20-inch sheet size, the Insignia 6 is designed to convert a variety of products in the growing markets of tags, labels and packaging. Retail hang tag finishing is the featured demo. A 13 x 19-inch sheet of 30 up hang tags will be die cut, hole punch, and edge perforated all in one pass delivering the hang tags ready for retail use. Insignia also performs kiss-cutting, scoring, cut-scoring embossing and in-line folding/gluing, ideal for producing folded carton work. Insignia delivers up to 4,000 sph and the ability to cut up to 30 pt. thickness. It is offered in three other sizes, 15 x 20 inch, 24 x 30-inch B2 sheet size, and the Insignia X3 which offers a 24 x 24-inch sheet size.

The 30-inch SS semi-slitter is designed to back-slit all types of pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) paper. Rollem offers the SS in five different widths starting at 18-inch up to 42-inch models.

With the ability to cut 30 pt. thickness, the demonstration features diecutting plastic ID card carriers. The ID card is kiss-cut within the carrier for easy handling and mailing. Other samples include folded cartons, retail and gift tags, kiss-cut label sheets and many more.

Meanwhile, the Jetstream XY bi-directional slit, score and perf system converts 8-up postcards sheets in one uninterrupted process, Rollem says, noting the sheets are edge trimmed and bleed slit.
    
As well, the Insignia 6 flexo-magnetic diecutter promises to deliver easy operation and fast changeovers for short to long runs with a wealth of production capabilities, allowing users to die-cut, kiss cut, score and emboss with the die-cutter. The key demo features the IS6 cutting and finishing presentation folders in one process.

The CF22-1225 cutting plotter is based on the existing Mimaki CF2 platform first launched in 2005. The new, larger CF22-1225 features a work area that can accommodate oversized media and allows a full 4-foot by 8-foot maximum cut size. Mimaki explains this allows printers to move materials directly from a standard flatbed printer.

The CF22-1225 cutting plotter is compatible with FineCut8 and the new RasterLink6 Plus software. This new version of Mimaki’s RIP software includes an ID Cut function. Along with registration marks, RasterLink6 plus software will include a bar code on output from a Mimaki printer driven by this version. The barcode, read by the crop mark sensor on the CF22-1225 cutting plotter, contains cutting and rotation information enabling the CF22-1225 cutting plotter to automate the cutting process.

Mimaki explains this function is particularly useful when running nested print-cut jobs, as the cutting plotter continuously reads the data for both single and ganged jobs.

Users can choose from various cutting heads for a range of tool holders for cutting, creasing and drawing tools, depending on the application. Swivel knife, tangential knife, reciprocating knife, creasing wheel and pen options are available with a range of blade and creasing options.

The company explains the CF22-1225 provides for cutting a variety of materials like corrugate, styrene and foam up to 20-mm thick for packaging and POP applications, as well as rubber, resin materials and plastics for industrial applications.

In August 2014, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG announced it was restructuring its postpress equipment manufacturing through a new OEM partnership with Masterwork Machinery Co. headquartered in Tianjin, China. The move excluded Heidelberg’s production of folding machines at its Ludwigsburg site, a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

“Heidelberg offers a value proposition that is unique in the industry,” said Joerg Daehnhardt, Vice President, Postpress, Heidelberg USA. “Our strategic partnership with Masterwork enables Heidelberg to offer a broader portfolio than ever before to the converting market.”

The Promatrix 106 CS is designed to handle substrates from 65-pound text to 48-point board. It outputs 8,000 sheets per hour, and has a maximum sheet size of 29.92 x 41.7 inches, matching the format of Heidelberg’s flagship Speedmaster XL 106 press.
 
The Promatrix 106 CS is the first Heidelberg product manufactured by Masterwork, while the German company retains sales and support responsibilities for its postpress lines. The Promatrix CS 106 is a further development of an existing Masterwork platform, along with additional improvements and certifications (such as “GS,” a German seal denoting safe operation).
 

The models to be carried by Sydney Stone include the Mohr 56, Mohr 66 and Mohr 80, with all units available in the ECO and NET models. The systems feature hydraulic operation.

“We pride ourselves on being paper-cutter experts for our segment, having supplied for decades the EBA and Challenge brands,” said Michael Steele, Director with Sydney Stone. “Adding the Mohr line ensures our customers can continue to use us as their businesses grow and evolve.”

Sydney Stone plans to highlight the Mohr 80 ECO cutter at Graphics Canada running from April 16 to 18.

“At Graphics Canada, we will have five Canadian first showings of new products. [The] Mohr 80 ECO will be one of them and we are excited to speak with Canadian printers about it,” said Dylan Westgate, Director with Sydney Stone. “We will also be launching two new products for booklet making from Morgana, as well as new slit/cut/creasing technology from Duplo and new single-side laminating technology from Vivid.”

These machines are primarily aimed at companies that manufacture folding cartons. More than 200 printing professionals attended the equipment demonstration, producing products like invitation cards, stand-up displays, posters, folding cartons, and CD jackets in Heidelberg’s Hall 11 at the Wiesloch-Walldorf plant.

The Promatrix 106 CS die cutter is designed for short to medium production volumes and performs die cutting and embossing at a speed of 8,000 sheets per hour.

Heidelberg’s Diana Smart 55 and Diana Smart 80 folding-carton gluing machines are comprise a new platform for medium volumes in the production of straight-line and lock-bottom cartons. The company states these products require less space than traditional systems and feature a modular design that can be adapted to suit specific customer requirements.

“In the medium term, we are going to continue to expand the product portfolio in die cutting and folding carton gluing machines,” said Dr. Frank Schaum, who now has overall responsibility for Postpress at Heidelberg, both commerical and packaging printing.