The K80 combi folding machine will be available for purchase after it is launched at the Baumann Labels and Finishing Days open house event in Solms, Germany, taking place from 27 to 29 June. Pricing starts at £98,000 for the base model.
The K80 is intended to sit between the German manufacturer’s manual K70 folder and the flagship K8RS, which it calls the world’s fastest folding machine (275m/min maximum). It will be supplied in the UK by Friedheim International.
Friedheim post-press sales specialist Tom Baker said: “This is a mid-range folder, which would sit in the middle of our B1 folder range. It is based on tried and tested technology from MBO and is incorporating the M1 control system with optional high levels of automation.
“You can add on multiple options for automation, onto the whole machine or into key areas, or wherever you want.”
Running at maximum speeds of 230m/min, the machine is intended for medium 'industrial' run lengths of signatures, flyers and other similar products. It comes as standard with a new M1 machine control unit, buckle plates with a swing deflector and a slitter shaft cassette in the parallel fold unit.
Customers can then choose between a palletised and continuous feeder or both and four- or six-buckle plates for the parallel fold. Other optional automation features include a combination buckle plate, pneumatic gatefold plate and fold rollers.
“I think 90% of the machines we sell are automatic, that is just the way the industry is going,” added Baker.
“This machine will increase throughput speed and is a conventional combination folder. The added automation will increase makeready speed, which is a key area in reducing times and costs.”
On show at the Solms open house alongside the K80 is a variety of equipment from Baumann, including its Epsilon label system, Omega jogging system and AUP pile turner, along with kit from other partners.
Friedheim said seven companies from the UK are visiting with the intention of buying machinery, six printers and one packaging company. Three have expressed interest in the K80 specifically.
