The Dundee web-to-print specialist’s new eight-colour XL 106 LED-UV perfector represents a substantial increase in offset capacity, and is in addition to its existing 10-colour Speedmaster conventional perfector.
The investment and expansion has involved Tradeprint expanding its factory space by two-and-a-half times, taking over the whole 3,720sqm unit.
“That has accommodated the new Speedmaster, our Canon B3 inkjet, and we’ve really ramped up our wide-format inkjet, explained operations director Rod Scrimgeour.
The firm has retained the 10-colour Speedmaster for longer-run work, while short- and medium-run jobs typically of 2,000 sheets are less go on the new XL 106.
The new press runs at 18,000sph and has Heidelberg’s Autoplate XL 3 technology. Sheets are instantly dry, so work can move to the next process straightaway. It was installed at the end of last year, with full details just revealed.
“The speed of that machine is phenomenal,” Scrimgeour said.
“The biggest difference we’re seeing is how it enables the flow of work through the factory. Before we were creating a lot of work-in-progress on the floor. We can now print in the order the customer requires rather than what the technology and type of paper requires.
“Push-to-Stop technology has dramatically decreased our waste and it’s literally on-off-on-off for the jobs – the biggest key is organising the plates and paper ready for the jobs to flow. Most stocks run at 18,000sph. We’ve reduced WIP by 80%, which has created a huge amount of space. It’s a gamechanger for us.”
Scrimgeour said he believed Tradeprint’s XL 106 was the only long perfector in the UK configured with LED-UV, and the firm was also unique in having an automated ink supply using a Technotrans system and 200kg drums, rather than ink cartridges.
“That also means a lot less waste,” he added.
“We did also explore LE-UV, which works in a similar way. Energy use is such an important part of the business case now, and that drove us to use LED-UV. The ink costs more, but the benefits of the speed and the dry sheets outweigh that.”
Tradeprint managing director Charlene Joss commented: “The Speedmaster XL 106 LED-UV long perfector stands out for multiple benefits – its impeccable print quality, efficient energy consumption, and the collaborative relationship it generates between Heidelberg and us.
“This approach ensures optimal performance, measured down to the minutest detail through Overall Equipment Effectiveness metrics. It’s no exaggeration to say that this press has revolutionised the way we work.”
The firm is part of $3.08bn (£2.4bn) turnover mass customisation giant Cimpress’ Upload & Print division. Tradeprint employs more than 150 staff – and is currently recruiting – and runs 24/5 with weekends available to flex production at peak periods.
“When we take the whole product mix, we’re seeing a very buoyant market,” Scrimgeour stated.
Enhancements to its wide-format setup since the acquisition of Tayprint just over a year ago include additional HP printers including Latex 3600 3.2m-wide roll-to-roll and HP R2000 hybrid devices.
One of its Zund cutting tables has been upgraded and with a second new table just commissioned, allowing the firm to use one specifically for flexible materials, with the other used for rigids and able to hold four boards at once for optimum production flow.
