"Using the barcode reading function saves us a lot of time and eases production pressures during the peaks," said managing director David Button. "The barcode optimises operator performance, although our earlier machine stored programmes it still relied on the operator matching the programme to the job."

The job set-up data is embedded in the barcode by the firm’s MIS.

In addition to the barcode reader the Polar 78 also has a 23" screen, which Button joked was "bigger than my TV at home", and was "fantastic for following tutorials and going through maintenance such as blade changes".

The second reason for buying the Polar 78 was to enable the firm to convert B1 sheets down to B3 and smaller to suit its Canon and Océ cut sheet digital presses.

"Consolidation in the paper trade has led to a lack of choice in the B2 sheets we used to buy," said Button. "To ensure we always produce long grain we either had to buy B2 and cut to waste, or buy B1 and cut down without waste. But for that we needed a longer blade than our previous Horizon 66cm guillotine.

4edge’s purchase of the Polar 78 crowned a year of capital expenditure which also included buying a second Canon Imagepress – the latest 7010 configuration – last August, which joined its original 7000, which was one of the UK’s first.

The latest machine also included PrismaSync workflow, enabling it to be integrated with the firm’s pair of Océ VarioPrint machines a 6250 and a 6160.