What does it do?
The guillotine has a 15in colour graphic display with intelligent CIP4 computer control. It has automated cutting programs and a tilting front table with reverse suction airbed for hands-free operation. A slotless bed backgauge drive enables snag-free operation and knife change takes less than five minutes. It was installed with a jogger and a waste extraction unit.

Why did you choose this particular machine?
It has the latest features; particularly the colour touchscreen, the ability to network and the waste extraction facility. These all save time and make the job easier – especially the waste extraction. I couldn’t imagine working without it now. The area around the guillotine is tidier and there is no lifting involved as all the waste goes straight into a big skip.

Did you look at any other similar machines?
I compared it to Heidelberg’s Polar 115. The main difference was the cost. With the Perfecta, I got all the features I wanted at the right price.

Why did you make the purchase?
It was a bit of an impulse buy, because I was really going down to GAE to look at the StitchLiner. Seeing the Perfecta in the showroom made me investigate further. I had a very old Wohlenberg 115 before and it was time to replace that.

What features do you particularly like?
I’m surprised at how easy the knife change is and the process feels very safe and is fast, which helps to reduce downtime, this is important in terms of workflow and job completion.

Is there anything that you dislike?
The only problem we had was squeezing the whole system – the guillotine, jogging table and waste extraction – into our premises. But we managed and it now looks very impressive.

How easy is it to use?
It is very easy. There are only six of us here and I would think anyone could use it after a little bit of training. The setting up of programs is a very good feature and the ability to change from one program to another is really useful. The touchscreen is easy to follow and makes it more like using a computer. You recognise what is going on and can set it up easily – not like the old one where there was no display and you had to work everything out.

How much time or money has it saved?
It has saved me an awful lot of time and money because of its ease of use.

Has it won you any new work?
I don’t know, but it has certainly helped when we have been showing customers around. It is impressive to see. With all our recent investment, we are able to cope with a larger number of jobs.

Would you say that it offers value for money?
Definitely.

Were there any difficulties experienced during the installation?
As I said, only squeezing it in.

What about the pre- and after-sale service?
We were happy with that. We have dealt with GAE before so we knew what to expect. The screen started playing up and a new one was sent over from Germany straight away.

Who do you think the machine is right for?
Small printers and I am sure that larger operations would be happy with its performance.

Under what circumstances would you buy another?
I don’t expect this one to come to the end of its life soon, but if the work increases so much that I needed another guillotine, then it certainly would be a Perfecta. n

Is there anything that you wish it had that it doesn’t?
Nothing I can think of at the moment.

How fast is it?
As fast as it should be and fast enough for our work.

How reliable is it?
I have found it totally reliable so far.

What’s the quality like?
As expected it is top class.

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CONCLUSION
User’s verdict
Ease of use 5/5
Reliability 5/5
Speed 5/5
Quality 5/5

Supplier’s response
Graphic Arts Equipment (GAE) joint managing director Bryan Godwyn says: “People are beginning to appreciate the benefits that automation has brought to bindery in terms of turnaround times, operator flexibility, product quality and efficiency, but the cutting process is often overlooked. We see many print operations where they have two identical guillotines standing next to each other, when the real way forward is to install the latest generation ‘intelligent’ guillotine and add paper-handling systems. Users report a 50% increase in throughput with the flowline system – as well as major health and safety benefits – and output can be doubled when the automated cutting and waste removal facility is added.”
Price £73,000
Contact GAE 020 8991 6645