What does the machine do?
The CreaseMatic Auto 50 is a high-speed SRA2 suction-fed fully programmable card creaser. The crease can be programmed anywhere along the length of the sheet. Up to 28 creases per sheet can be programmed, with a 99-job memory. Stock can be creased in sizes from CD to SRA2 (max sheet 500x700mm). It’s supplied with four creasing-width tools to cover the stock range of 80-400gsm – three steel matrix creasing tools and a matrix bar. This system is popular for providing a single-point crease, rather than the square box crease made by the metal tool, which is especially useful if the job is to be stitched. It has a rotary perforating system as standard.
Why did you choose this particular machine?
Three years ago, we bought a CreaseMatic 150 hand-fed creaser from Ashgate [the UK supplier] and we were very pleased with it at the time. When we saw the SRA2 fully automated CreaseMatic Auto 50 launched at Digital Print World, it looked like it would give us so much more productivity and versatility.
Did you look at any other similar machines?
No, we hadn’t set out to upgrade our hand-fed machine until we saw the new model. We didn’t look elsewhere because it did everything we wanted at a very competitive price, plus we were able to trade in our previous model.
What features do you like?
The automatic feeder has saved us a lot of time, as we previously hand-fed the sheets into the machine and the matrix style creaser is very accurate. We are mainly using it for scoring litho-printed jobs produced on our Heidelberg GTO two-colour press and four-colour PrintMaster, but we can also score digitally printed jobs from our Xerox 3535 printer. We can score 400gsm card, which is laminated on both sides.
How fast is it?
It operates at 7,000 sheets per hour (sph) using a bottom-feed suction system for continuous production. You can’t compare its performance with the hand-fed machine, which creases at about 1,000 sph.
How reliable is it?
We haven’t had it long, but it is very robustly built and there have been no problems.
What’s the quality like?
Excellent – the crease is very accurate.
How easy is it to use?
Ashgate installed the machine and showed me how to operate it. It is really easy and quick to set up and adjust.
How much time has it saved?
As it operates about seven times faster than our previous model, the results speak for themselves.
Has it won you any new work?
It hasn’t won us any new work as yet, but we are putting large-format work through it, which wasn’t possible on the old A3 model.
Would you say it offers value for money?
Most definitely. It’s highly affordable for the features it offers.
What about the pre- and after-sales service?
Ashgate has always looked after us very well.
Who do think the machine is right for?
It is suitable for any litho or digital printer who needs to crease or perforate products such as brochures, cards and invitations at speed.
Would you buy another?
Currently, it gives us more than enough capacity, but I would not hesitate to recommend it.
CONCLUSION
User’s verdict
Speed 5/5
Quality 5/5
Reliability 5/5
Value for money 4/5
Supplier’s Response
John Price, managing director of Ashgate Automation, says: “At only £8,995, the CM Auto 50 is pitched at a price level normally associated with A3 card creasers. It has the added value of a rotary perforating system as standard and a host of other features, which will give the printer everything he needs to work with a range of stocks and formats. It is manufactured in the UK to the highest standards.”
Price
£8,995
Contact
Ashgate Automation
01865 891 904
