The development of the system, which is commercially available with immediate effect, was born out of the need of one of the firm’s clients that needed a way to put various small or difficult items into an envelope.
“We produced a feeder and integrated that with an existing envelope inserter to handle this client’s documents,” said KAS Paper Systems managing director Stephen Hampstead.
The system is based on the manufacturer’s Mailmaster envelope inserter and Enfolder carrier sheet folder, inline with a CIM plastic card affixing and matching system and a digital printer.
A number of bespoke features are available for the modular device, to meet customers’ specific requirements, including inline carrier sheet/letter printing and plastic card printing and embossing.
With pre-printed plastic cards the CIM reads a code or magnetic stripe which is used to print that recipient’s personalised letter, including a 1D barcode for camera matching with the plastic card before it is attached.
The KAS Enfolder then folds the carrier and attached card, once for inserting into a C5 envelope or twice for a DL. Folding is bypassed if a letter is being inserted flat into a C4 envelope.
Multiple inserts can then be added from the side feeders before the envelopes are sealed and delivered onto the delivery table.
Other machine features include insert feeders, which can handle documents from a single sheet of 80gsm paper up to 7mm thick booklets, as well as pre-folded and stapled items.
Document tracking and exit reading can also be incorporated into the system for additional security and mailing integrity.
“Our equipment is durable and constructed for long runs but it’s also quick to set up for short runs,” said Hampstead.
“Some people are just doing runs of a few hundred, such as sports clubs and societies for priority and membership cards, and some are doing tens of thousands.”
Hampstead did not disclose pricing for the system but said it could vary hugely, depending on the customer’s specification, because there are so many modular elements.
