PFi DI CUT 310,” Train says, adding: “It is faster and has a slightly larger magnetic cylinder that actually adds up to 30% more printed items per sheet, depending on the application, meaning the cost per sheet is lower and that margins are higher. “The transport belt has been improved to provide better grip, we’ve increased the air blowers to improve sheet separation, and the main motor and sensors have been improved to increase accuracy even further.” Duplo also distributes the PFi Blade B2 and B3 machines, which, unlike the 310, are digital die-cutters that do not need dies to produce the intricate shapes. The PFi Blade B2+ digital cutting table produces short-run packaging, custom-shaped cards, and labels without the need for physical dies. “The PFi Blade range allows customers to experience a new level of flexibility in the digital die-cutting arena; cut, kiss-cut, crease, and perforate a range of substrates including paper, laminates, boards, adhesives, and synthetic stocks up to 1,000mm per second and up to 6mm thick, dynamically, on demand,” Train says. In addition, Duplo has developed a rollto-sheet module for both the PFi blade B3 and B2 solutions. The module can take rolls of up to 620mm in width (B2+) and 300mm in diameter. Short-run demand Also in this market is Intelligent Finishing Systems, (IFS), which works with a range of print finishing manufacturers. Technical sales director Jason Seaber says a high level of cutting pressure and accuracy is necessary to produce consistently high quality die-cut products, as popular die-cut applications are on thicker paper and card substrates up to 500 micron thick. As such, it is important to select a die-cutting system that is suitable for both offset and shortrun digital print with image tracking and automatic sheet registration adjustment on demand. “Investment is being driven by operations managing an increasingly larger number of short-run jobs cost effectively,” Seaber says, adding: “We are also seeing more and more customers exploring the value-added possibilities that easy-to-use, innovative die-cutting machines open up. “Choosing a flexible solution that can also crease, kiss-cut, emboss, and perforate opens up the opportunity to create a more comprehensive range of applications. Newer machinery delivers greater automation for smoother and faster operation while intuitive set up speeds up makeready. It also eliminates the need to make a traditional steel rule - mechanical die – for quicker production and reduced costs. 59 www.printmonthly.co.uk Issue 341 - March / April 2023 Investment is being driven by operations managing an increasingly larger number of short-run jobs cost effectively ►The PFi DI-CUT 310 runs at speeds of up to 4,000 sheets per hour BACK TO BASICS / DIE-CUTTING “Being able to manage a wider range of jobs in-house reduces the need to send work out ensuring costs are kept low and a greater return on investment. Quality can also be more closely monitored, too, as crisp, sharp, accurate cuts and creases make all the difference in how the product looks.” As to what IFS has on offer, Seaber first highlights the Horizon RD-3346 Rotary Die Cut system, which he says is designed to meet the growing demand for short-run, die-cut products. The machine has a maximum sheet size of 330.2 x 550mm and can run at speeds of up to 5,000 cycles per hour. Also available from IFS are both the Horizon RD-N4055 / RD-N4055DM Rotary Die Cutting Systems, which have the ability to die-cut, crease, perforate, slit, hole punch, and round corner in one process for digital and offset printed sheets. Both machines have a maximum sheet size of 400 x 550mm and a top speed of 6,000 cycles per hour. There is also the optional CSD40RD Card Stacker for the RD-N4055/ RD-N4055DM, which can stack multiple piles of small-format products such as tags, business cards, and door hangers. The Card Stacker can also count and separate jobs and make handling and packing of products easier for the operator. A tried and highly trusted technique, die-cutting is as popular as ever, but in order to ensure the highest quality results with this technology, investment in the right sort of kit is key. max die-cutting area of Morgana’s Rotary Die Cutter 361mm x 472mm ▼ The Horizon RDN4055DM Rotary Die Cutting System can hole punch and round corner in one process for digital and offset printed sheets
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