April 2009
Offset's Format for Success
New Line Investment
Investment in a new laminating and converting line and printing press from innovative manufacturers Bobst and KBA has allowed the Offset Group both domestic and international expansion potential.
Bobst Asitrade FolioStar 165 Matic - High performance laminator
A complete large format line, it includes a Bobst Asitrade Foliostar litho-laminator, Bobst SPeria 142 die-cutter, Bobst Starfold multipoint gluer and a six-colour KBA press.
"We now have added flexibility in production and a culture of pro-active service" said Offset Sales & Marketing Director, Edward Bone
"Our in-house capability now includes both sizes 6 and 3b, and products from cartonboard or lighter but stronger litho-laminate. A short or long run, a small or large carton, Offset has the equipment to produce it and to offer customers' the cost benefits."
The Asitrade Foliostar 165 Matic sheet-to-sheet laminator gives the company the ability to produce litho-laminates in-house, yet operates on quite a small footprint with quick, automated, changeovers and high performance and register accuracy.
Capable of running sheets from 500 x 500mm up to 1650 x 1650 mm, the Foliostar can laminate top sheets to carriers ranging from cartonboard and single-face flutes, right through to double wall corrugated.
Bobst SPeria 142E - Specialised die-cutting
Die-cutting on the new line is provided by a size VI Bobst SPeria 142-E, which features a Feeder Plus system that controls the height of the front of the pile, automatically adjusts the position of the press footprint relative to any warp and also corrects the pile position laterally.
The combined action of these elements ensures the regularity and alignment of the in-fed sheets, reducing the number of stops in production.
"It's ideal," says Operations & Commercial Manager Barry Brailey. "Quick to make ready, it registers almost instantly, and runs quickly and consistently when we have a long run on."
Bobst Starfold 145 folder-gluer - Accurate folding system
The third Bobst Group product in the new line up is a Starfold 145 folder-gluer. Designed with decorative and added-value packaging in mind, a key feature of the machine is its AccuFold system which dramatically cuts gap and fishtailing.
Starfold also offers alternate folding of the blank along the entire length of the machine. "The Starfold does exactly the job we want it to," says Offset's Operations & Commercial Manager, Barry Brailey. "Folding and gluing litho-lam and cartons, right up to maximum format, quickly and with finesse."
KBA Rapida 142 - Versatile six-colour press
The final part of the investment is a six colour KBA 142 printing press. Capable of printing on a wide range of different materials including paper, cartonboard, plastics, metalised and corrugated board, up to 1200 microns, the press can also apply UV lacquers and water based emulsions.
Download the full article (PDF) as it appeared in the March/April 2009 issue of 'Folding Carton Industry'.
