The Kern 3600 inserting system, a successor to the firm’s 3500 model, processes document formats of 82x148mm up to 356x225mm. It can be used with envelope formats C6 to B5 and has a maximum output performance of 27,000 envelopes per hour.
The Kern 5000 is a multi-format inserting system that can be used flexibly for all envelope sizes. The newly developed rotation model allows documents to be rotated by 90° or transported straight through. The system self-determines, according to window position, whether the document or document group must be rotated to be fitted into the envelope.
It can be used with envelope formats C6/5 to B4 and processes document formats from 210x88.9mm up to 225x305mm at a maximum output rate of 16,000 envelopes per hour.
Both systems have automated settings that reduce downtime to a minimum during a format change and are due onto the market in early 2015.
“These two machines fill a gap in our portfolio. There was a demand in the market for a machine which can be used for all different envelope sizes and our customers asked us to invest in this topic,” said Kern marketing director Stephan Zaugg.
The firm also displayed and demonstrated a number of its other products at the event including the 130/141 rotary cutting system, the only continuous-feed system able to print and process a paper web of 560mm wide.
Kern general manager Peter Jolley said: “We felt that the new technology and innovations that we have justified holding an open house. It’s something that we tried two years ago but on a much smaller scale.
“We’ve had a lot of people here; there’s been a good buzz and it’s been a good way to test the water. It has given us an opportunity to show not just our products but also those of our partners and demonstrate how they can be linked together.”
21 partnering companies, including Canon, Screen, Ricoh, GMC, Horizon and W+D, joined Kern at the open house. Screen showed its Truepress Jet520 inkjet web press linked up to Kern’s 100 unwinder and 135 DataTracker workflow.
Screen Europe vice-president, solutions and technology, Tim Taylor said: “We see the event as a good opportunity to meet potential users and show a full production scenario. Kern is very strong in the German market, which is interesting for us as we’re not currently that well known there.”
Horizon demonstrated its Perfect Binder BQ-270V and On-Demand Trimmer HT-30C. Demonstrator Mark Bryan said: “Events like these are a good opportunity for people to get a closer and hands-on look at the machines, which they might not have as easy an opportunity to do at the bigger events. I think people are here feeling the market as a lot of people are maybe looking to invest in digital now.”
According to Kern’s registration figures, the open house attracted over 1,000 attendees including customers from more than 30 countries including the UK, US, Russia, Germany, France, China and the Netherlands.
Visiting customers included a range of international print, mailing and financial organisations and representatives from UK companies including Communisis, FCS LaserMail and Datagraphic.
Kern Group employs around 1,000 people across 10 countries. It was founded by Marc Kern in 1947 and is currently overseen by his son Uli Kern.
