Based on customer feedback, the machine was sold as a low-cost alternative to rivals of the time. “The range has expanded and become more sophisticated, because many machines today need to compete on the strength of their features, construction standards and ease of use, rather than just price,” says Cooper.
Ease of use is the main strength of this machine, according to TCS. “The CCM has many of the common features of a modern day guillotine, such as light barriers, enclosed knife changes and so forth. The significant difference comes with the user interface and levels of programmability,” claims Cooper. “We encourage all of our customers to compare the operation of the CCM with all the rivals.”
Heavyweight construction
The machine also boasts a heavyweight construction that improves stability and accurate cutting. In 1992, to boost the CCM’s user-friendliness, the firm launched the DP model, which offered digital programming.
Unlike many guillotines, where the clamp has to return to the top to allow the back-gauge to move after cutting, the CCM clamp moves just above the height of the pile. In 1998, a ball bearing spindle back-gauge mechanism was introduced, which increases the speed of the back-gauge and improved productivity. The CCM, like many of its rivals, users a shear bolt on the blade; this means that, if the blade is dull, or encounters an obstruction, the shear bolt will break and, in some cases, the operator would not be aware of the problem. In 2000, shear bolt monitoring was incorporated in CCM’s guillotine to ensure that the minder was always alerted when this mechanism had been tripped.
Quick-release cutting
“CCM includes features that by themselves seem minor, but when added together have helped the range maintain its popularity,” explains Cooper. “They include a quick-release cutting stick for operator convenience, and the control panel has a calculator for mathematical repositioning.”
There are five different models with sizes ranging from 780mm to 1,550mm. In 2001, the firm launched the M series. Each one comes with one of three control systems, the M5, M8 and M10, which offer different levels of programming. The M8 and M10 incorporate a CIP4 Trueflow-compatible system that enables set-up information to be supplied to the machine. This is done via USB ports in the recent models, and a 3.5in floppy disk in older machines.
The price of a new CCM Premier 78 M5 starts at around £19,950. TCS also sells secondhand models and will consider part exchanges. It stocks all spares for machines that are up to 10 years old and is also able to source parts for older machines. Based in Nottingham, TCS’ central location is in its favour when it comes to call-outs and it has 10 full-time engineers locally, plus more engineers on call nationwide.
Two service contracts are available through TCS – fully inclusive and standard. Both include maintenance calls, servicing and health and safety inspections.
SPECIFICATIONS
Max cutting width
• 780-1,550mm, depending on model
Max pile height
• 165mm (on a 115 model)
Price
• 78 M5: from £19,950
• Used 1998 78 DP: from £12,950
What to check
• Service and maintenance records
• Back-gauge and spindle bushes for wear and tear
CCM Premier
CCM Premier Guillotines were introduced to the market by Terry Cooper Services (TCS) in 1987. The firm has since installed more than 600 models in the UK. TCS managing director Chris Cooper explains: "When we introduced the CCM range, we already had extensive experience in the service and supply of guillotines. When the decision was taken to launch our own model, we cherry-picked the best features from other machines."
