Guillotines have been part of the print production process for several centuries, establishing themselves as a hugely important component when producing all manner of printed work. From the simple cutting of business cards to more intricate finishing on trickier prints, having a reliable guillotine in place helps print service providers (PSPs) achieve a smooth finish. In essence, the modern guillotine performs the same task as its early ancestors that were introduced to the industry hundreds of years ago; they allow print professionals to easily cut printed work. Of course, the technology has continued to evolve over the years to the point where workers can now program machines to perform tasks without having to stand by and constantly monitor the device. So, where do guillotines go from here? How can manufacturers continue to improve on a technology that has been around for so long? Print Monthly speaks with several suppliers to find out. Taking Control One name synonymous with the finishing market is Morgana Systems. Ray Hillhouse, vice president of sales and marketing for the Offline Business Unit at Plockmatic Group, which owns Morgana, says, in short, having a guillotine on-site means taking control of paper cutting needs. “Start-up printers will very soon find the need for a guillotine for paper cutting, whether that be the need to trim finished work to the desired size, or to cut larger sized sheets down to the format required for printing,” Hillhouse says, adding: “While multi-function finishing devices can handle some standard trimmed formats, they are limited. Even a relatively small-format guillotine can start paying for itself immediately by cutting larger, lower cost sheets down to the desired print size.” Advising PSPs on what to look for when investing in new machinery, Hillhouse explains there are several key features to look for, no matter the size of the print business. Firstly, from a health and safety aspect, he points to the inclusion of a light-beam guarding the front table area, with this legally required in any modern SHARP AS A KNIFE A critical component in the finishing process, what are the latest guillotine solutions on the market and what benefits do they offer to print companies seeking sharp and accurate cutting? GUILLOTINES 61 July / August 2024 - Issue 349 www.printmonthly.co.uk ► The AeroCut X is a card cutter and creaser from Morgana
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