“This means significantly lower costs, easier access to parts across the UK, and guaranteed quality. Place this alongside our own servicing abilities in the UK and you have a powerful package offering incredible quality and value for money.” Going into more detail on the Grafcut solutions available from AfterPrint, O’Brien begins with the Grafcut G52H, which he says is the most popular machine from the manufacturer. The device has recently been boosted with the upgrade to a larger 175mm touch screen. “In our opinion, the Grafcut G52H is the most powerful guillotine on offer which is aimed at the digital printer,” he says, adding: “The G52H incorporates fully hydraulic operation, which guarantees effortless performance. Fully programmable with up to 100 job memory, all of which can be given full names using the popup keyboard within the touchscreen.” Other options include the Grafcut G73H, with the ability to cut up to a 100mm stack and with an operating width of up to 730mm. O’Brien adds that the G73H is perfect for high volume digital and commercial printers due to powerful hydraulics, high-speed servo-driven back gauge, and fully programmable air table. As for new solutions, Grafcut used Drupa 2024 to launch the G80H. This new model, O’Brien says, offers an 800mm cutting width, powerful hydraulics with an ultra-high-speed action for improved production as well as the Servo Driven back gauge. The message is clear: outsource cutting at your own will. Of course, bringing this process in-house will incur an initial cost, but from speaking with manufacturers and suppliers here, the long-term benefits of investment far outweigh these costs. 63 July / August 2024 - Issue 349 www.printmonthly.co.uk ► Offered by AfterPrint, the Grafcut G52H, has recently been upgraded with a larger 175mm touchscreen duction,” he says, adding: “Touch screen operation supports quick set-ups, and a programmable memory helps the efficient completion of short-run fast turnaround jobs. Saving minutes on multiple jobs per shift can quickly add up dramatically impacting capacity. This is vital for binderies managing shorter runs and tighter deadlines. “Ongoing development will continue to focus on the user experience making operation and paper handling as smooth, streamlined, and easy as possible – essential to maximise production and increase capacity for short-run fast turnaround work.” As for the most in-demand machines at IFS, Keane points to the BaumannPerfecta collection of economic high-speed guillotines. These range from the BaumannPerfecta 80 to the BaumannPerfecta 225. These solutions, Keane says, feature a new and modern design, focused on functionality, ergonomics, and safety. “The centrepiece of the new design is the large, inclinable menu-guided touch screen that manages a variety of cutting jobs: single cut, programme cut, repeat cut, clamping without cut, and automatic actual-value transfer,” he says. “In combination with the newly developed CUTPIT control, machine operation is easier than ever. Another highlight is the new cutting cell that grants a significantly longer knife life thanks to an innovative damper system. The modular concept of the systems means they can be easily complemented by other peripheral machines to offer complete system solutions through to fully automatic cutting systems.” For cutting B2/SRA2 and B3/SRA3 digitally printed sheets, IFS also supplies fully automated digital cutting solutions from Horizon with the SmartStacker and SmartSlitter. In addition, it works with TECNAU on its Stack 1212 and Stack 1010. “Research and development will continue to focus on the user experience by making operation and paper handling as smooth, streamlined, and easy as possible - essential when managing short run, fast turnaround jobs,” Keane adds, concluding: “Automation of the cutting process will continue to grow as will quality checking systems to prevent operator errors.” GUILLOTINES A Vital Cog in Production Another aptly named specialist finishing supplier is AfterPrint, whose director, Chris O’Brien, says outsourcing guillotining can cause significant logistical issues as well as a rise in costs and less control over a vital cog in the print process. For this reason, he recommends PSPs consider taking the process in-house. “One of the highest costs for any printer is purchasing paper and media,” O’Brien explains, continuing: “Guillotining in-house gives you greater control over these costs. The less handling the paper merchant needs to input the lower the costs to you the consumer. Therefore, having a guillotine allows you to purchase larger formats which can then be cut down in-house. “We think the most important factors to consider are a proven reliability record, robust build quality, ease of use, and ongoing costs for service, parts, and blades, which is certainly an area that is often overlooked.” Leading on from this with more advice for PSPs, O’Brien says quality is often hard to define and it is easier to consider a recognised brand as opposed to a different manufacturer the PSP may have not necessarily heard as much about. “This is something we come across quite often with our Grafcut Guillotine range,” he says, adding: “Grafcut may not be as well-known as some of the more established brands even though it has been trading for over 20 years. However, Grafcut’s build quality and proven reliability track record is second to none. “Looking back to one of our first thoughts when considering a quality guillotine, ongoing costs, such as servicing and parts and this is an area where Grafcut comes into its own. Grafcut utilises standardised parts from Sick, Omron, and Delta in its manufacturing process. The first paper-cutting guillotines were introduced during the Renaissance in Europe Factoid
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