Classic Graphics Adds Bobst Commercial 106 Diecutter
Printing firm replaces three older machines; built in stripping station eliminates labor-intensive hand stripping
By Graphic Arts Online Staff -- Graphic Arts Online, February 25, 2009
Charlotte, North Carolina – Commercial printer Classic Graphics (www.cgraphics.com ) has expanded their finishing capabilities with the addition of a new Bobst Commercial 106 Autoplaten® Diecutter. “This is one of those occasions where you stand back, look at the benefits and wonder why you waited this long to do it!,” says Bill Gardner, President of Classic Graphics. “We can die-cut a much larger range of materials than we could with our old cylinder presses. Our production speeds have more than doubled — Classic averaged
2,000 sheets per hour with the cylinders and is averaging 6,800 on the Bobst (the Commercial 106 maximum speed is 7,700 sheets per hour) — and we’ve enhanced the quality of our diecutting.”
“The Commercial 106 is the perfect configuration for a printer like us. It’s at a price point and size that fits our (commercial printing) needs,” says Gardner. “It has the capability to handle a wide range of materials and it’s specifically designed to run light papers. We die-cut a lot of 100# text for our customers, so that’s important to us. But also, it gives us the capability to run solid board which has let us step into the smaller, light carton market and create greater value for our customers.”
Classic’s Commercial replaced three older cylinder presses which they ran around the clock to keep up with the workload. “The Bobst is just so much more efficient than the old machines,” says Gardner. “We’re producing more on one machine running two shifts than we did before with three machines running around the clock. We also have personnel trained to run the Bobst on the 3rd shift when necessary. Having these capabilities inhouse certainly gives us better control of product quality, but it also allows us to be more
flexible with our scheduling and gives us better price control. We can move quickly to meet our customers’ changing needs.”
The Commercial 106 has a built in stripping station which eliminates the need for labor intensive hand stripping of the finished die-cuts. A maximum sheet size of 413⁄4 x 291⁄8 inches has eliminated Classic’s need to guillotine sheets down before diecutting. Platen diecutting also reduces the amount of nicking necessary to hold the scrap in place for the stripping operation. Fewer nicks contribute to enhanced product appearance and quality, in addition to helping to reduce downstream labor.
Safety is another big concern for printers today and Gardner says that the new machine addresses this issue as well. “The machine is well guarded yet easily accessible. The operators are happy that they don’t have to lift the sheets up into the feeder anymore. Now they can just roll a pallet load into the feeder without lifting and straining. It’s certainly made life easier and safer for them.” www.bobst.com
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