Advances in plastics technology, coupled with a growing demand to optimise postal requirements for magazines in the 1970s, led to the launch of Sitma's C60 polywrapper.
Up to this point magazines and newspapers had been sent folded through the post, but the advent of affordable plastics, and a change in postal regulations, meant that publications could be distributed flat with added freebies and loose inserts securely enclosed in a polywrap envelope.
In 1975, the Italian company launched a successor to the C60, the C80/305, followed five years later by the improved C80/750. This machine, which could wrap anything from small leaflets to telephone directories, included features such as the firm's patented TightWrap system. This allowed printers to completely wrap the magazine with no tails and perfect folds on the sides.
The flexibility of the C80/750 gave it instant widespread appeal with trade finishing companies, commercial printers and newspaper printers.
"The machine was faster, more reliable and had PLC controls, compared with previous machines," explains Mark Goodchild, general manager at Integra International the UK distributor for Sitma machines.
"It also gave customers the ability to build up modular machines, so you could add equipment to it, which you couldn't really do on the 305," adds Iain Buckham, chairman at Integra.
New additions
New features included an electro-driven mail-sort system and the ability to run printed film more easily. This was achieved thanks to the 750's ability to both speed up and slow down the belts on the fly - the 305 could only speed up.
There are four models in the range. The two C80-750-0s, for smaller products, run at 15,000pph or 13,000pph (products per hour), while the two C80/750-Is boast a top speed of 12,000pph or 10,000pph and can handle products up to 60mm or 100mm high respectively.
Optional extras include side sealers which allow printers to add cover mounts onto the magazines without having to shrink wrap. Updated controls are also available.
"Customers can also opt for a range of different feeders, stackers, and autoloaders," says Goodchild. These include a quarter-folder for processing tabloid and broadsheet paper editions and an unlimited number of feeders.
In 2007, Sitma launched the W1005-E paper and polywrapping machine, which replaced the 750. The introduction of the W1005-E marked a sea change in terms of technology. Set-up time was dramatically reduced thanks to the introduction of servo-driven motors and automated print registration.
The last production run of C80/750 machines went out last year, although it is still available to order on request - and it's still a popular model thanks in large part to its robustness. Buckham says that the company sold a 26-year-old machine just last month and Maidenhead-based Williams Press is still using a 305 that it bought way back in 1981.
There are four Sitma trained service engineers based nationally and service contracts are tailored to customer requirements with various packages available.
Used Sitma machines are available through Integra's subsidiary company Intamac, with prices ranging from £20,000-£100,000 dependent on the age, level of refurbishment and specification.
SPECIFICATIONS
Max speed
C80/750-I: 12,000pph
C80/750-0: 15,000pph
Polywrap sizes
length 150-420mm
width 100-330mm
height 1-60mm
Optional extras
Paper wrapping
Selective feeding
Tight wrap
Side sealing
Price £20,000-£100,000
What to look for
General wear and tear
