There is a sound financial reason why many offset printers, including those in the sheetfed sector, are bringing sheeting inline. As the recession continues to bite, companies are aiming to make savings in the press hall and reels are much cheaper than sheets.
"Investment is returning and it's all been quite positive," says Steve Brimble, managing director at Apollo Sheeters, part of MarquipWardUnited. "Printers are looking at all a venues of cost saving so we're seeing a lot of interest in in-house sheeting."
However, the big trend has affected sheet sizes in the digital web sector as opposed to offset. With more firms investing in digital, greater automation on sheeters is a necessity, particularly since the reels are packed in a different way. "Because they are smaller and less stable, the sheets are put into cartons, so you need good automation on your sheeter," says Brimble.
Rotary trimmers can handle partially finished stocks, which are often folded and sometimes glued or stitched. The addition of a rotary trimmer, with a compensating stacker or bundler, to a folder-equipped web press, effectively gives you a complete production line, from raw material to a product ready for distribution.
Automation needs
Another area to consider with trimmers is the level of automation required. Longer runs may be more economical on an automated system capable of storing job settings.
Brimble advises that it's worth looking for suppliers that provide a complete line as you can guarantee a solid link between each machine. With converting technology, the type of substrate and job will always dictate the speed at which the equipment can run. Therefore, flexibility over speed is important when weighing up an investment in converting equipment.
In the future, as jobs look set to become more complex, it's vital to have equipment that can adapt to these changing market needs. Increasingly, kit is sourced by the press supplier as part of a package, particularly when the finishing equipment is for inline operation.
WHAT'S NEW IN CONVERTING FOR WEB OFFSET
? Graphic Arts Equipment has launched a partnership with a number of other finishing firms. The new group has been christened P3, the Post Press Partnership, and the aim of the alliance is to work with press manufacturers and provide finishing solutions. The partnership includes Lasermax Roll Systems
and Renz
? In May, general printer Blue Printing Company invested in a heatset web press. The east London-based printer took on a secondhand machine from former Southend print company Mayhew McCrimmon. The press features in-line gluing and
a sheeter
? MarquipWardUnited has launched the TSKM sheeter. The manufacturer unveiled the machine at its US plant and said the sheeter was a cost-effective model aimed at commercial printers and folding carton printers
