Watford, 02.01.20
Kent based, high quality carton manufacturer Offset Print and Packaging Ltd. have returned to Koenig & Bauer for two post press investments; an Ipress 144 K large format cut and crease machine from Koenig and Bauer Iberica and an Omega Allpro 145 folder gluer from Koenig & Bauer Duran. The double investment ensures Offset Print and Packaging the first company in the U.K. to be equipped with the full range of printing and finishing equipment from Koenig & Bauer.
Speaking about the investment Vince Brearey, Managing Director of Operations at Offset Print and Packaging states: "We have been looking into cut and crease investments for the past 18 months in line with our strategic growth plans and were undecided on format size and manufacturer. Having looked at alternatives and deciding on format size we were impressed with build quality and operator friendly equipment on offer from Koenig & Bauer Iberica.
The Koenig & Bauer Omega Allpro 145 was not in our initial plans but after seeing a machine at the Koenig & Bauer Open House we decided to invest and upgrade our gluing department with this additional piece of kit to maintain our position at the forefront of production technology. Both machines are built in Europe, to a high specification and offer a cost-effective solution for our ever-growing business."
IPress 144 K
Offset Print and Packaging have selected a Koenig & Bauer Iberica IPress 144 K which brings additional capacity alongside their an existing equipment and will be delivered in March 2020. The new machine incorporates both stripping and blanking and has a maximum speed of 7500 sheets per hour with 600 tonnes of punching pressure. The stock range is paper, cardboard and corrugated board up to 4mm thick.
The machine is being adapted to take existing forms from the original manufacturer to save retooling costs and the options selected include: Lateral Optical Printed Mark Register (OPMR) with detects printed register marks on the sheets and a dynamic waste removal system to ensure the perfect release of all shapes of waste.
Omega Allpro 145
The Omega Allpro 145 folder gluer ordered by Offset Print and Packaging has a maximum belt speed of 300m/min is suitable for cartonboard ranging from 200 gsm to 600 gsm. It can also handle corrugated materials N, F, E, C, B, EC and EB flute. The machine will be shipped with a multitude of time and efficiency saving features, as well as improved quality control systems such as a side register unit for improved control of the cartons blanks to ensure precise squaring prior to entering the folding section. For high speed crash lock carton folding without hooks, an innovative Airfold system is used for easier set up as well as a servo backfold system for 4 & 6 corner box capability. The machine also incorporates a touch screen for rapid set up.
High quality and ease of use
Other features include: a top driven final fold section giving improved control and quality of corrugated boxes and a pneumatic squaring system for micro flute crash lock boxes, which improves quality and reduces waste.
Koenig & Bauer Duran folder gluers have a long history of being operator friendly and have an easy belt change facility to reduce make ready times as well as having standard size belts and bearings for stress free maintenance. The Omega range of folder gluers also come with the reassurance of a comprehensive remote service support facility.
Koenig & Bauer U.K. Ltd Director of Sales Chris Scully stated: “I am delighted that Offset Printing and Packaging have once again selected Koenig and Bauer as their graphic equipment supplier; this time for post press equipment from our Iberica and Duran business units, We expect this to be first of many similar installations in the U.K.” He continues: “Offset Print and Packaging are an extremely successful business who continue to invest in well-engineered, high end technologies to keep them ahead of the game. We have continued to build upon our already strong relationship and now they have the complete solution from us for both press and post press.”