At the Print 01 exhibition in Chicago, the Autobond 74 Compact T was launched in an effort to change this and make laminators more affordable and accessible to the wider commercial market.
The exhibition itself was remembered more for falling on 11 September – meaning that all the exhibitors were trapped in the US for some time. However, this did not mar the success of the machine. In subsequent years, 30 have been sold in the UK and 130 installed worldwide.
Autobond’s Compact laminators were originally launched in 1995 with the Compact AT, initially an aqueous and thermal laminator. The series became thermal only because most customers only used the thermal mode. It was developed in three phases, using different feeds and additional rollers, to become the current Compact T series.
Autobond managing director John Gilmore says: “We aimed it at the high-end B2 market, for short to medium runs. We made sure it was affordable without compromising on speed, which for this version is 9,000 sheets per hour.”
Additionally, the dimensions of the machine, roughly three metres by two metres, means a small footprint – a real selling point for customers with less space.
A manual version of the Compact 74 T is also available and the machine has a vacuum feed table with 100mm wide belts for control. The perfector option means that sheets can be laminated on both sides simultaneously, and the 10mm grip edge is the same as most B2 offset presses. There are also additional features, such as a pneumatic film brake, film slitter and perforator.
Built to last
However, Gilmore says that the machines’ main strength is their build quality. “These machines are strong and robust so you could keep them running for more than 20 years,” he says. “We added a Heidelberg 74 stream feeder, which improves the machine’s quality, and has proven very popular among our customers.”
After the success of the Compact machines, a Mini T two-by-two version was launched at Drupa 2004 with a slightly lower spec and £20,000 off the price tag. The Mini has a different bump separator and runs at 45m per minute, which still makes it a viable option for shorter runs. It also leaves an even smaller footprint. The Mini T has, so far, been bought by 120 B2 printers worldwide, 40 of which are UK-based.
Tailored specs
The Mini has overtaken the Compact in popularity and, depending on the feeder, now has the ability to match the 60m per minute speed of the Compact T. Speed specifications can be tailored to individual needs. It is possible to have a basic Mini 74 T or a TPHS, which stands for a thermal machine with a perfector, a Heidelberg feeder and a stacker, and anything in between.
There have been few Compact Ts available secondhand. The machine is too new for the manufacturer to have returns from anywhere other than companies that have ceased trading, but Gilmore says he does have a long waiting list should any come in. For now, there is the option of part exchanging any D&K laminators, which are US made. Service contracts are available on a yearly basis at around £1,000 and parts are available in the UK, with 33 engineers on call should any problems occur.
SPECIFICATIONS
Speed
• 9000sph/60m per minute
Min sheet width
• 740x520mm
Min stock weight
• 90gsm
Max stock weight
• 650gsm
Max film thickness
75gsm
Price
• New Compact 74 T: £76,000
• New Compact Mini 74 T: £56,000
• Used Compact 74 T:£50,000
What to look for
• Bearings
• Check high temperature grease is used
