“Our primary focus was to enhance productivity by adding to automation through materials handling, programming and better networkability,” he explains. “Historically the UK has been reluctant to bring automation into the bindery area.”
The XT is the 10th generation of high-speed cutters from Polar and is the best seller for sizes up to 65x92cm, says the firm. The kit combines ergonomic but heavy-duty design with ease of use, a colour display and a host of nifty extras.
These include a range of knife tools to prevent blades from sticking to labels and to reduce knife-changing times.
The AntiStick Knife is for cutting gummed materials such as stick-on labels. The AirKnife uses slits to stop substrates electrostatically clinging to the blade and the OptiKnife tool reduces knife-changing times. In addition, a TwinClamp increases cutting accuracy and productivity, says the firm.
The kit can also be upgraded to complete cutting systems with peripheral kit such as stack-lift, auto-jogger and gripper transport systems.
“At the operating panel all preceding and succeeding processes are programmed, from loading and jogging to cutting and unloading. The 115 XT with Autotrim is the most efficient model in this series.
“It offers up to 30% higher production output in processing all cutting programmes,” says Hogan. “Increasing productivity allows greater output per person or, potentially, a reduction in manning.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Description: high-speed cutter
Cutting length: 115cm
Features: OptiKnife tool to reduce knife-changing times, AntiStick and AirKnife tools that stop substrates sticking to the blade, and TwinClamp to increase cutting capacity
Price: £50,000
Contact: www.uk.heidelberg.com
Star product: Polar 115 XT
Automation is a key component in the armoury of the Polar 115 XT cutter, says supplier Heidelberg.Speed and ease of use are crucial, given that research by Polar has revealed half of shopfloor workers in print are beetling away in post-press areas, explains Heidelberg UK marketing manager Mark Hogan.
