supplies a range of machinery to the industry. Chris Vaughan, content creation at Papergraphics, says print finishing is an excellent way to increase your bottom line. “When we introduced our Stickybits laminate range more than 15 years ago, many of our customers doubled, and some even tripled their average retail-selling prices by offering a large-format print a machine is to use, then the more effective it will be for the user. “The swing-out arms on the Easymount now load the material in seconds,” Evans explains, adding: “Some machines can take five or ten minutes to change the rolls on, and over the course of a year, that is a lot of production time wasted. We make our laminators easy to use and quick to run work on – that is what you need to be looking for when investing in a new piece of kit in this area.” One of the most popular options within the Vivid Easymount range is the Easymount Air 1600 Single Hot. The machine uses pneumatic air pressure to control the laminating rollers, allowing users to mount and laminate with high accuracy and speed. The solution can run at speeds of up to 10m a minute and can mount up to 30mm, while additional features include variable speed control and a foot pedal for easier control. The latest machine in Vivid’s Easymount range comes in the form of the Easymount Hybrid, a machine that offers a flatbed applicator and laminator in a single solution. Launched at the 2023 FESPA Global Print Expo earlier this year, the machine has now been patented and the first models are due to start being installed from December. “Combining the benefits of both applications into one easy-to-use flatbed laminator and saving on the need for two systems, the Easymount Hybrid laminator is a solution that can help customers improve their competitive edge, and save on space and money,” Vivid says. “Electromagnetic locking, allows for easy transitioning from roll laminating to application table. The patented floating rollers save time and keeps edges of substrates in perfect condition.” Growth Potential Also well placed to offer guidance and solutions here is Papergraphics, which finishing service,” Vaughan says. “High-quality lamination equipment is needed to achieve that growth potential. Reliability, ease of use, and a machine built to last are essential, as once you see the profit in print finishing, we’re certain your lamination equipment will get a lot of use.” As to what companies should be looking for when investing, Vaughan picked out pressure, precision, and control as the fundamental pillars that underpin “flawless lamination”. “When considering your options, there are a handful of crucial aspects to consider: bigger nip, carefully crowned rollers, precise alignment, balanced pressure, accurate heat control, and the inclusion of pre-programmed systems,” he says. Offering advice on the subject, Papergraphics’ technical support team advises on a number of areas. These include that larger-diameter nip rollers – the two front rollers on a machine – play a pivotal role in the lamination process. These ensure that the lamination film is under pressure with the substrate for longer, giving a better adhesion and minimising unwanted silvering. Meanwhile, correctly crowned rollers with carefully calibrated tension springs guarantee pressure is distributed uniformly across the width of the rollers. This prevents costly issues like stretching, rippling, or creasing. Papergraphics also advises that well-aligned and perfectly balanced Vivid Laminating Technologies’ new Easymount Hybrid, a combined flatbed applicator and laminator solution that launched at FESPA 2023, now holds multiple patents Factoid 50 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 249 - October / November 2023 ◄ Vivid Laminating Technologies will begin installing the first models of its new Easymount Hybrid in December ▲ The Flexa EasyLite from Papergraphics can be reconfigured and upgraded to a five-shaft system BACK TO BASICS / LAMINATION EQUIPMENT
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