Acorn Press has had a mixed portfolio of folders but in a two for three folder replacement programme it has come down in favour of two highly automated and highly specified Stahlfolders. These will give it a net increase in output capacity as well as more flexible and streamlined working. One of the folders is the first BH series buckle folder in the UK.
The TH56 comes with gatefold and spine glue options which will reduce the Swindon company's outwork bill and enable them to offer customers an extended range of services. The pallet fed BH 82 will handle the larger B1 format work.
"The company did look at other machines but I like the reliability of the Heidelberg machines, the knowledge and whole package including training, updates and support. Heidelberg came up with great ideas, including an optimum layout to maximise our efficiency," says Andy Gaulton, production manager.
The company handles a very wide range of commercial print so the buckle folders were right in terms of flexibility. Spine gluing hasn't previously been offered by Acorn and gatefolds have been outsourced. By bringing work in-house, Acorn Press keeps better control on quality as well as costs.
The folders will be installed by the end of July and will run on a double day shift basis. Operators will have a mix of offsite training in Brentford and on site demonstration and implementation. Since the other machines being replaced are older, the touchscreen interfaces will be new to operators but it is a graphic user interface that is easy to use and the automation reduces their workload. The Stahlfolders automatically adjusts plate and roller settings throughout the machine once the job data has been input.
The Stahlfolder TH 56 is modular folder noted for its high level automation at an affordable price. If a job is being set up for the first time all that needs to be entered is the sheet length, width and paper thickness and once this is done a folding imposition is selected from the library stored on the machine. Job settings are stored for repeat work. This machine is fast, flexible and easy to operate. In a time trial undertaken by Heidelberg UK the TH 56 completed eight jobs from scratch in 27 minutes and those same jobs from memory in just 11 minutes. Modularity means it can grow with the business.
The larger BH 82 provides effective automation components to make set up faster and boost productivity significantly. The BH/CH series folders offer a lower cost entry point and a slightly reduced mechanical speed but are highly automated for quick changeovers and feature the MCT Control technology to make set up speed and running the machine simple. Like the TH/KH models it is CIP 4, digital workflow compatible and is therefore future-proof.
