The Stahlfolder Ti 52 was launched in 1993, preceding Heidelberg's acquisition of Stahl in 1999. The machine replaced the Stahlfolder Tx 52 and was unveiled alongside the KD series. Heidelberg revamped the design of the Ti 52 and included a double ball roller and an inverter control - hence the ‘i' in the machine's name. The resulting machine has proved a great success for the manufacturer.
"It is the best selling 52cm machine on the market," claims Axel Wuensch, Heidelberg product manager for folding and delivery systems.
"At the time it was competing with other German manufacturers, but now the machine has a lot of Japanese competition," adds Mark Hogan marketing manager at Heidelberg UK. As a result, the market for the machine has shrunk significantly. "We were selling more than 50 a year in the UK alone, but this number has been shrinking since the beginning of the last decade."
According to Wuensch, reliability has been the key to the product's success. Once a customer buys one, it's not unusual for Heidelberg not to hear back from them for more than five years, hence the machine's reputation as a workhorse in the finishing arena.
Other models in the Ti range were the smaller Ti 40, for inplants, and Ti 36, for the pharmaceutical market. Developments came in the form of improved fold rollers with alternating bands of polyurethane and steel. This was introduced across the range of Stahlfolders. "Essentially, in 2004, we changed the system folding rollers for extra grip and rubber to rubber contact," explains Wuensch.
Modular design
The newer fold rollers are retrofittable as they tend to wear out over the life of the machine. Models were built in a modular way so there was the option of a second unit or knife unit. The knife shafts have linchpins so they can be easily removed to mount tools for perforating, grooving, trimming and punch perforating. Heidelberg also introduced features such as gatefold and gluing attachments. Optional extras include scoring, perforating and creasing.
Heidelberg doesn't deal in secondhand folders. "We don't tend to take them back ourselves. We prefer to leave that side of things to the independent dealers," says Hogan.
Service contracts for new machines are a standard 12 months, but can be extended to up to three years including prevention and maintenance care.
Heidelberg has 28 service engineers for post-press in the UK and a new machine will cost around £40,000 depending on configuration. Expect to pay around £15,000 to £25,000 for a good secondhand model. The Ti 52 is a gear-driven machine so check the gears on the belts and folding rollers when buying a used model.
Specifications
Max sheet size
Flat pile: 520x840mm
Round continuous: 520x1,000mm
Max cycling rate 45,000cycles/hour
Max pile height 700mm
Max speed folding units 200m/min
Price
New: £40,000
Used: £15,000-£25,000
What to look for
Condition of gears
General wear and tear
