The Euclid II series includes a number of standard upgrades, such as a new substrate handling system, optimised cutting algorithms, enhanced creasing capability and improved user interface, as well as a number of optional add-ons.

These optional extras include a new digital stripping unit, optical registration system, fine cutting accelerator and web-to-pack software, all of which are included in the top-of-the-line Euclid II+ machine that Highcon will demonstrate live at Graph Expo.

Mark Nixon, managing director of UK distributor Conversion, said that the bulk of the upgrades were down to software enhancements and that all of the new features that make up the Euclid II series would be available via a field upgrade to existing Euclid users such as Glossop Cartons.

The optimised cutting algorithms can increase the production speed by around 70% on certain stocks, depending also on the cutting profile, while the optional fine cutting accelerator enables a high degree of accuracy when partially cutting a substrate.

Nixon said that this enabled the machine to remove the top 4-5 microns of a coated board to reveal names or patterns. "You're removing the ink layer to reveal the substrate underneath, which enables you to create intricate patterns or fine cut-out text that would be a lot more difficult to print," he added.

The creasing enhancements include the ability to produce curved lines and a significant boost to the life of the crease lines via the development of a new, more durable polymer that Nixon said would handle runs of up to 20,000 compared with 10,000-12,000 with the original Euclid.

Nixon highlighted the optional optical registration unit and digital stripping tool as the two new features that he expected to be of most interest to converters, as well as the web-to-pack software, which has been developed in partnership with a third party.

"There are a lot of small cottage industries out there that don't want to order 5,000 boxes, they want to be able to order in the same way they do their business cards, by going online and adding their logo and graphics to a template and then ordering short-run professional boxes," he said.

"The emergence of Highcon's digital cutting and creasing platform and the new web-to-pack software make it very easy to open up the market for those sorts of ultra short runs. I think it's a market that has huge untapped potential – I can't see a reason why it wouldn't happen."

Graph Expo will be the first public showing for Highcon's Euclid technology in the North American market. The manufacturer will be exhibiting on booth 1262 at the Chicago show.