Russell Smith, managing director at Tops Design and Print, has brought all his pharmaceutical work in-house with this reliable high-speed folder

　　What does the machine do?

　　The MB CAS 52 B2 folder with Setmatic computerised controls, automatically sets the fold plates, all the roller pressures and sidelay delivery wheels and does all the adjustments on the first sheet of paper. We also configured ours with an optional pharmaceutical small-format fold unit, which has two additional fold plates and can fold down to a minimum of 18mm, and an optional perfing device.
 
　　Why did you make the purchase?

　　We wanted to replace our old B2 Stahl folder, which was outdated and the rollers were worn, with another B2 folder with automated set-up. We hoped this would increase our productivity in the finishing department. We also wanted to bring pharmaceutical folding in-house which, before the MB, we were outsourcing
 
　　Did you look at any other similar machines?

　　We looked at Stahl and MBO folders before making our decision. We are a Heidelberg house with B2 Speedmasters and we wanted to buy the best.
 
　　Why did you choose this particular machine?

　　We read about the automated MB CAS 52 folder in PrintWeek. Although it did exactly what we wanted, we were initially sceptical because we didn’t know its pedigree. We were pleasantly surprised to find that it was manufactured in Germany and even more impressed when we saw it being demonstrated at Encore Machinery’s showroom in Dunstable.
 
　　What features do you particularly like?

　　The fully automated set-up is quick and easy, whereas in the past we had to get out a spanner to make an adjustment. You can store up to 60 settings in the memory for repeat jobs, which is very useful. It has got a great feeder, which is important on a folder as it has to feed in jobs that may have been perfed or are not completely flat. What surprised and pleased us the most is that it can also handle pharmaceutical folding on the same machine, whereas normally you have to buy a separate pharmaceutical folder. So, basically, we were getting two folders for the price of one. Without doubt it has been one of the best investments we have ever made.
 
　　Is there anything you dislike?

　　Nothing at all.
 
　　How fast is it?

　　It will fold more than 30,000 leaflets an hour, but at this speed, we need two operators to keep up with it to band and box the pharmaceutical leaflets.
 
　　How easy is it to use?

　　The ease of use is one of its major benefits. Compared with the Stahl folder we used to have, it is vastly superior – like chalk and cheese.
 
　　What is the quality like?

　　Perfect. Whatever the fold we need, we have complete confidence that it can do it.
 
　　What is the reliability like?

　　We haven’t had a problem since it was installed.
 
　　Has it won you any new work?

　　Obviously we don’t sell our services on the folder alone, but it has handled all the new work we have brought in for it.
 
　　Would you say that it offers value for money?

　　When we first bought it, we thought it was quite expensive, but on reflection, when we think of its productivity, reliability and convenience, that isn’t the case.
 
　　Who do you think the machine is right for?

　　Any B2 printer who wants to throw away his spanner and enjoy the benefits of the fast makeready of an automated folder, with the confidence that it can do any fold you give it in a matter of minutes and to a very high quality.
 
　　Under what circumstances would you buy another?
If we needed more folding capacity, we would certainly buy an MB again.