Heidelberg marketing manager for finishing Mark Hogan says: “The 78 took off very quickly as people knew that the build quality would be second-to-none and the secondhand value of all the Polar range has been, and continues to be, very strong.” The 78 was made to bring about even shorter programming times and with its single-piece cast iron frame, it was built to last and last.

Ninth generation
The Polar 78 ES and ED were launched in 1996 as replacements for the eighth generation 76 model. They allowed wider sheets to be cut, up to 78cm, and had more sophisticated programming capabilities. The models were quite similar, however, the ED was slightly larger and heavier, and came with a colour screen, extended block programming and graphic guidance.

Polar developed a positioning system that used a pulse generator directly on the rotating spindle without any intermediate connection. This made it an extremely precise machine. The backgauge added to the accuracy of the cutters, driven by a three-phase motor the gauge position is reached quickly and the drive-speed adapts to the specific distance that each job requires. A precision spindle with recirculating ball bearings also eliminated any discrepancies that may occur.

X factor
The 78 X was not launched until 2005. “The X has a heavier frame and a different control system, which accelerated operator friendliness even further,” says Hogan. The 78 X range comes in three versions; the X, XT and the XS. A new Polar 78 X can be bought for around £27,000, from any Heidelberg dealer.

Despite the fact that many hundreds have been sold in the UK, the Polar 78’s availability on the secondhand market can be brief. The problem is that they are often snapped up by eager B2 printers within days. Nyland Graphics managing director Steve Nyland says: “I will be able to sell every single one that comes to us, the only problem that we have is getting hold of enough of them to meet demand.”

With the reputation that Polar has, all dealers that stock these machines have reported similar difficulties in meeting the sheer volume of the demand for the guillotines. “Because they last so long, we will only get them in stock if a company goes out of business or decides to upgrade to new or larger equipment,” Nyland adds.

According to Nyland, the reason for this popularity is the name and the reputation that comes with the Polar. “When you can still service and sell a guillotine that is 30 years old, with all parts readily available, then there is no question of quality and build strength,” he says. This is why the Polar has been the most popular guillotine for some 50 years, not only in the UK, but on a global scale.

Nyland and some other dealers have online registering facilities whereby you are informed as soon as a particular machine becomes available. “It is a first come, first served situation with all of our machines, so you need to get there quickly,” Nyland advises. A 2000 78 E can be bought for around £14,000 and comes with a six-month warranty and safety certificate.

Safety guidelines
The most important thing you need to consider when purchasing any guillotine is safety. In the UK, machines need to follow the guidelines for Full Function Monitor (FFM) guarding. Any UK 78 model, or any post 1984 equipment, will have this as standard. The electronic guarding of machines brought in from outside of the UK, however, may not meet all the required safety features. A Heidelberg agent will be able to tell you if a particular model is up to standard. For this reason it is important to buy a machine that has a full service history and you should always check its age and where it has come from.

Many dealers will only use Heidelberg-trained engineers for installation and training. “When it comes to safety and reliable installation we think that this is of high importance,” says Nyland. Learning to use a Polar is very simple and as they are so popular, many operators will already know how to use them. Even a novice should easily be able to use the machine with no more than a day’s training.

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SPECIFICATIONS
Cutting width
• 78cm (front table length 65cm)
Clamp opening
• 12cm
Feed depth
• 78cm
Width
• (without side tables) 155cm
• (with side tables) 191.5cm
Length
• 145cm
Height
• 65cm
Table height
• 90cm
Knife thickness
• 11.75mm
Price
• New: Polar 78 XT: £31,000, Polar 78 X: £27,000, Polar 78 XS: £25,000
• Used: 2000 Polar 78 E: £14,000
What to look for
• History
• Electronic guarding
• Machine’s origins