Launched in 1994, the Bobst SPeria 76-E signalled a shift in focus for the Swiss manufacturer. Having targeted the small-format pharmaceutical sector, Bobst decided to branch out and target commercial printers with this automatic die-cutter, which could handle sheet sizes of between 300x260mm and 760x560mm.
"It wasn't a case of changing the audience, but simply broadening it," says Stuart Taylor, product manager for Bobst SP equipment in the UK and Ireland.
Bobst had spotted a trend taking place in the commercial print market, with many firms bringing finishing in-house, giving more control over each process, which resulted in more margin from each job.
The SP76-E addressed many of the issues commercial printers had with its predecessor, the Autoplaten SP-900E, a machine that had been manufactured by Bobst since the 1940s. In essence, what printers needed was a machine with faster makereadies, higher levels of automation and improved speed control.
Modern requirements
The makeready issue was addressed with Bobst's Quick Change System while Bobst also introduced its CUBE Interface & Control unit on the machine, which combined a screen and numerical control unit to improve the die-cutter's user-friendliness with a series of help menus for set-ups and fault diagnosis. It also allowed jobs to be stored as data and an optional micrometric adjustment system cut the time it took for the die-counterparts to be aligned for repeat jobs.
Optional extras included elevation, non-stop feeder, non-stop delivery table with adjustment height and reinforced transport equipment for solid and corrugated board.
But it was the success of another machine that gave Bobst the confidence to upgrade the machine and widen its appeal still further. The SPeria 106 die-cutting platen, originally launched in 2004, became popular with customers after a range of additional tools and services were introduced at Ipex 2006. The machine was revamped as the Commercial 106.
"The success of the Commercial 106 led us to believe that commercial printers would find a smaller, well-featured machine attractive," says Taylor.
Commercial angle
Because commercial printers produce sheets that call for registration on both sides, Bobst gave the 106 the ability to vary the register sidelay on a job-by-job basis.
The knock-on effect for Bobst was that it was able to push the 106's smaller sister, the SP76-E, into new sectors such as labels, as well as folders and wallets.
"The machine offered versatility in terms of the products that can be made and the materials they can be made from - particularly because of the inbuilt special devices for light materials," says Taylor.
Last year, the SP76-E evolved into two machines, the Expertcut 76 and the Commercial 76. While the Expertcut is geared towards packaging manufacturers, the Commercial can be used to produce anything that needs to be shaped, embossed, scored, perforated, creased or stripped.
Service contracts are arranged through Bobst and spare parts are readily available in the UK and from Bobst's headquarters in Switzerland. The manufacturer has 20 engineers in the UK and new machines are priced on application, although a 2003 SP76-E will cost £250,000.
On secondhand models, look for wear and tear, particularly on the gripper bars. If they are bent or damaged, this will affect registration. Independent dealers, such as Care Graphic machines in West Yorkshire and Wakefield-based Roberts Graphics, sell secondhand Bobst die-cutters.
Specifications
Max sheet size 760x560mm
Die-cutting size 300x260mm-760x560mm
Max cutting force 140tonnes
Max speed 7,500sph
Pile Height Feeder max 980mm
Footprint 4.8x1.9m
Weight 9tonnes
Price 2003 SP76-E: £250,000
What to look for
- Register
- Smooth cutting
- Clutch brake
- Gripper bars
- Service history
