The machine was unveiled at an open house at MK’s factory in Nové Mesto, Slovakia, last week, and sits alongside the general-purpose Diana Easy, the workhorse Diana Smart and the peak-performance Diana X.
It is available with immediate effect, as Heidelberg has started taking orders from clients who attended the open house.
Product manager Paul Thompson said: “MK and Heidelberg are selling machines all around the world and different markets have different requirements. Heidelberg needed to address all of these markets, which included the need for a simple well-built machine from a reliable partner.
“In addition, we were looking for suitable machine for non-traditional folding carton producers with limited space and budget. This is quite a varied market, as the machine would be ideal for very short run pharma cartons, digital production, commercial printers and more.
“Products will always be developed, this has been the advantage of our enlarged R&D budget. But a four-level portfolio of folder gluers will cover the majority of the market’s needs. However, we will always strive for the next big head turner that catches the imagination of the buyer.”
A 9m-long machine developed by the MK team based in Neuss, Germany, the Diana Go can run a range of carton styles including straightline and lockbottom, as well as specialised styles including envelopes and CD covers.
It can reach speeds up to 250m/min and take substrates including 200-600gsm solid board, E-flute corrugated and paper stocks.
Optional features for customers include taking the machine with or without alignment after the feeder and augmentations for different carton types.
Developments are ongoing in MK and Heidelberg’s “very successful partnership”, according to Thompson who said that “Drupa is only next year”. He expressed hopes that the first UK and Ireland installations of the Diana Go will take place soon.
Separately, Masterwork Group Co has completed its capital increase and now holds a nearly 8.5% stake in Heidelberg, making it the largest shareholder in the business.
