Tony Hills, UK trade division manager at Duplo International, explains: “People were replacing machines they had used for over 15 years and, naturally, they were expecting the replacement to include enhancements. The Ideal 5221 was introduced with smoother lines, optional side tables and a power back-gauge.” The machine had also moved forward in terms of speed, as well as additional table space that allowed room to manoeuvre and park stacks of paper.
Measurements could now be entered into the machine using the electronic keypad, which meant that the back fence could find a new position while the operator continued to load the paper. As a result of the enhancements, productivity had also increased by about 30% compared with previous models. “The Ideal range dominated its market sector,” claims Hills. “It encompassed the small printer and in-house print rooms where, more often than not, an Ideal would accompany the installations of small offset presses.”
Decade of developments
In 1995, European safety standards were altered and the Ideal changed accordingly, becoming the 5221-95EP. This model had electric back-gauge programming, which, again, made it more operator friendly.
Over the past decade, the growth of digital print has brought with it certain new requirements in terms of handling and finishing, and this has caused a mini-revolution in ancillary equipment, from folders and creasers to booklet-making and binding systems. Hills says: “Guillotines have needed to take certain attributes to be totally suitable for this growing market.”
At last year’s Ipex, the Ideal 5221-05EP Digicut was officially launched in the UK. Targeted at the digital printer, the machine is equipped with variable hydraulic clamping and a false clamp plate to protect even the most delicate work.
Duplo has now taken on Ideal guillotines as a key product line. It provides a two-year warranty with regular maintenance and has trained approved dealers to offer their own services. A new 5221-95EP from Duplo costs £6,470.
Although Duplo doesn’t sell secondhand guillotines directly, it does offer advice to anyone who is thinking
about purchasing a used model. “It is best to avoid any model that dates from before 1995, due to the subsequent changes in health and safety regulations. You should also look for regular service history by an approved engineer,” says Hills. He also advises that potential buyers should watch out for knives that do not return to their upper limits, because this could suggest a worn brake unit. Something else to look
out for is a noisy gearbox, as this could point to a lack of proper greasing.
Testing the water
Many other companies sell Ideal machines across the UK, including Total Print Finishing Services (Total PFS) and CJB Printing Equipment. Total PFS sales director Dave Peters says: “The market for both new and used guillotines continues to be a positive one for Total PFS, as more companies take serious advantage of investing in robust finishing machines to help them enhance services and increase bottom lines.
“We find new guillotines are often purchased by those companies looking to expand their in-house finishing operations, while used guillotines are a good investment for companies that are looking at the possibility of bringing their finishing in-house and want to initially ‘test the water’ with strong, secondhand equipment.”
The 5221 has continued to prove popular on the secondhand market, according to Chris Boulter, managing director of Leicester-based CJB Printing Equipment. “It can cut up to SRA2, but still has a very small footprint, making it ideal for in-house work and smaller printers,” he says. “We have found them to be extremely popular and it is very easy to get spare parts and servicing for them.” CJB sells used 2000 models from £2,000 to £2,500, including delivery, installation and warranty.
SPECIFICATIONS
Cutting length
• 520mm
Cutting height
• 80mm
Min cut
• 35mm
Table depth
• 520mm
Price
• New 5221-95EP £6,470
• Used 2000 5221 £2,000-£2,500
What to look for
• Pre-1995 models
• Service history
• Noisy gearbox
• The knife not returning to its upper limit
