This die-cutter has enabled Andy Bird, managing director at Folio (Bristol), to boost capacity and enter the packaging market at its Avon Dies subsidiary

　　What does the machine do?

　　B1 cutting and creasing with automatic stripping from 80gsm paper to 4mm thick board.

　　Why did you choose this particular machine?

The run speeds and makeready times were a huge factor.

　　The fact that it has the same feeder and delivery as the Speedmaster presses was also impressive. Pre-makeready table and the stripping units were also important.

　　Did you look at any other similar machines?

　　We were operating two older Bobst machines, so they were obviously considered.

　　Why did you make the purchase?

　　When we purchased Avon Dies in June last year, it gave us combined capacity of six fully automatic machines of various ages. It was logical to scale down the machine count and replace them with one machine capable of producing the equivalent of three. We replaced one machine from each format, each capable of approx 2,500 sheets per hour, with the 7,500 sheets per hour Varimatrix. This also gave us the opportunity to be competitive on thicker work, such as corrugated, and enter the packaging sector.

　　What features do you particularly like?

　　The run speeds and makeready times. The feeder is the same as that on the Heidelberg presses and is excellent, as is the delivery system. The stripping with front-edge removal was also very impressive.

　　How reliable is it?

　　It’s was only installed in October and I certainly wouldn’t have expected it to have let us down yet.

　　What’s the quality like?

　　The quality of the product is first class, as you’d expect with modern equipment from Heidelberg. The build quality of the machine is also excellent.

　　How easy is it to use?

　　There’s obviously a learning curve, but Heidelberg were excellent and spent the time with us to train all six of our operators. The main learning curve, as always, comes with experience of production. There hasn’t been anything too challenging.

　　How much time or money has it saved?

　　Enough time to get to the pub earlier on a Friday and enough money to have an extra stress-relieving beer.

　　Has it won you any new work?

　　Yes, we’re now more cost-effective at producing point-of-sale work and some packaging work that previously we could only produce by hand.

　　Would you say that it offers value for money?

　　In all honesty, in today’s market, most equipment is too expensive for the poor margins that still exist.

　　Were there any difficulties experienced during the installation or after?

　　The installation was very smooth.

　　What about the pre- and after-sales service?

　　So far, the after-sales and support have been superb.

　　Who do you think the machine is right for?

　　Trade finishers.