What does it do?
The KL 45 is a new machine from German miniature folding specialist Herzog & Heymann, that can fold sheets up to 450mm wide. It’s the same principle (and much the same size) as a normal plate folder, but optimised to handle thin papers and to create things that fold up very small. These might be instruction sheets, ingredients lists or those patronising legal liability leaflets that instruct you not to stick your fingers in electrical sockets in 14 languages.
These are printed on very lightweight papers and need a lot of folds. The KL 45 will make folds as little as 18mm apart in a variety of miniature schemes.
When was it launched and what markets is it aimed at?
The KL 45 was developed last year and began shipping to the UK in October.
It’s aimed at anyone who needs miniature folding, typically service providers to customers in fields such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and any other products that needs small folded sheets to go in its packaging, such as memory cards, superglue and the like.
How does it work
The configuration is much the same as a full-sized buckle plate folder (and indeed it can act as a normal folder. However it is optimised to feed small, very thin sheets and to create closely spaced parallel folds in a choice of schemes. You can specify fold plate combinations of 8/6, 8/4, 6/6 and 6/4.
It’s intended for long or short runs, with a choice of pile or continuous feeders. Belt drives for the rollers help to keep noise levels down, and there are noise hoods too.
The dual-calibrating fold rollers and the folding plate give good control of exacting short interval folds, with easy accessed paper callipers used for calibration. The fold rollers are high grip, which helps with lightweight papers, as does the ultrasonic double sheet feed detection. Transport rollers are designed for smooth transport of products that can end up very small indeed.
A slitter shaft takes wheels to slice sheets into the sometimes ribbon-shaped leaflets needed for small boxes.
There’s an integrated batch counter. Options are quality management systems including camera vision with ejectors for rejected sheets, glue applicators with segmented rollers, and different feeder or delivery systems.
How does it differ from previous models?
The KL 45 is a redesign based on the original, more modular KL 1121.1 machine. Herzog & Heymann product marketing manager Mario Schäfer says: “The reason for the development was the plan to offer a more cost-effective miniature folding system with a good price-performance ratio to the market.”
This involved the changing of some parts to enable much lower manufacturing and running costs. In particular a belt drive is used instead of gears, though this has a useful side effect of reducing noise. There’s a new, slimmer folding plate design while the electrical controls are encapsulated.
Schäfer says “The KL 45 is not quite as flexible as the KL 112.1, but is still able to produce most of the standard jobs.”
How fast/productive is it?
The maximum machine speed is 150m per minute, although Schäfer points out that “the real production speed always depends on the folding scheme, the paper and the experience of the operator”.
What’s the USP?
Besides the lower price and the 18mm minimum fold, the range of plate configurations is probably the biggest draw. “These are configurations and requirements that are typical for the miniature folding industry, but not every plate folder can provide them,” says Schäfer.
How easy is it to use?
If you can operate a plate folder, you’ll have no problem with the KL 45, Schäfer says: “The KL 45 is still based on the well-established ‘radial folding roller adjustment’ and the paper callipers for the roller set-up, which allows an easier set-up procedure.”
What does it cost?
The ‘ready to go’ price is £43,000 for an 8/4 folder, though there’s some choice in configuration. However Stuart Bamford, sales manager for post-press and packaging at UK distributor Friedheim International, says that one of the selling points of the KL 45 is that it’s configured with nearly everything needed as standard.
What training and support is on offer?
Training needs are assessed for each customer. Friedheim provides all UK after-sales service, spare parts and training support.
What is the sales target and how many are installed currently worldwide?
“The sales target is as many as possible!” says Schäfer. At present the machine is still very new and at the time of writing there are 10 installations worldwide. Production is still being ramped up as Herzog & Heymann is starting to promote the machine seriously in Europe.
SPECIFICATIONS
Continuous feeder sheet size Min: 150x180mm; max: 450x1,000mm
Flat pile feeder sheet size Min: 80x105mm; max: 450x840mm
Max sheet width 450mm
Min sheet weight 40gsm
Min folding length 18mm
Fold plate configurations 8/6, 8/4, 6/6 and 6/4
Max speed 150m per minute
Price Typically £45,000
Contact Friedheim International 01442 206100 www.friedheim.co.uk
ALTERNATIVE
Heidelberg Stahlfolder TH56
Stahlfolder 56 is Heidelberg’s new miniature folder, launched last year. It’s highly automated with a faster claimed maximum running speed than the KL 45, although its minimum fold of 35mm can’t beat the KL 45’s 18mm and its max sheet size is wider but shorter. There are two parallel folding stations and up to eight buckle plates.
Continuous feeder sheet sizes Min:140x180mm; max: 1,280x560mm
Flat pile feeder sheet sizes Min:140x180mm; max 900x560mm
Max sheet width 560mm
Min sheet weight 35gsm
Min folding length 35mm
Max speed 230m per minute
Price £70,000 for a single unit with delivery
Contact Heidelberg UK 020 8490 3500 www.heidelberg.com
