matically folds sheets up to 350gsm that have been cut, creased, and perforated, applying one of six common fold patterns, before stacking. Meanwhile, Multigraf’s Touchline range of creasing and folding machines are modular and all revolve around the C-375+ creaser. This can then be upgraded with the CF-375 creasing and folding system. The Multigraf range can cut and fold paper stocks up to 400gsm and perforate up to 300gsm paper stocks. In addition, Duplo offers its DSC-10/60i collating towers for feeding with the Duplo AMS (Air Management System). Each of the ten bins are fitted with AMS from the PC Controller and the towers. This unique feeding system manages the high-power fans that create air flow and vacuum independently for each bin, enabling reliable feeding regardless of paper weight or size. Using the Intelligent Multi Bin Feeding function, operators are able to select each bin individually and feed more than one sheet from one bin. Varied Solutions Taking a closer look at this sort of kit and you may discover Tech-ni-Fold, which provides a range of creasing, perforating, and cutting tools. Managing director Jack Harris, whose father Graham founded the business, says the company can support customers running both offset and digital printers. “Those companies with high production folding machines such as Stahl, MBO, Morgana, or Horizon may think they need a separate creasing and folding machine to run through their heavier or more challenging stock materials, but it might be we could convert their existing unit to do the same for less than £2,000,” Harris says. “We have developed over 50 types of is the only way many print service providers can keep operating and making a profit. “With creasing and folding, the largest markets are greetings cards and booklet production,” Train says, adding: “A good quality crease and fold will avoid toner cracking and the accuracy and consistency will be easy to see. “Even the normal consumer of print will be able to see when edges don’t line up. Print has now become the medium of premium quality, and not having the right equipment to back that up will be punished by customers walking away from their printers. “Duplo invented the multi-finisher as the industry now understands them – a device that slits, cuts, and creases in one pass. Our Duplo range also perforates in one pass. Duplo UK also distributes the Multigraf range of high-quality folder creasers. Our range is ideal for common applications such as business and greetings cards, covers, direct mailers, leaflets, concertina folds, in fact anything with the combination of slitting, cross-cutting, scoring, and perforating, and folding – Duplo has you covered.” Picking out certain models in particular, Train highlights the new, entry-level DC-618 that can be integrated through Fiery, with all jobs being barcode driven straight from the press. It has several upgrades from the previous model and can now handle paper stocks between 110-400gsm, and process up to six slits, 30 cuts, and 20 creases in one pass. “The DC-618 delivers full-bleed applications up to 23 sheets per minute without the white borders and toner cracking for a clean finish and can be upgraded to handle long sheets from the current generation of digital presses,” Train says. As for increasing automation and volume, Train says DC-648 and DC-746 are at the top of the range with heavier duty cutters and creasing modules. The DC-746 also has the option to come equipped with an integrated folding system, and it auto- ▲ The Hunkeler DocuTrim is a universal processing system from Friedheim International Tri-Creaser to retrofit the most popular versions of folding machines. In essence, they allow customers to run sheets up to 350gsm as a flat sheet through the fold rollers to then be creased by the device on the parallel shafts in order that the product doesn’t crack when folded on the right angle or knife fold unit. “Through the expertise of our technical team we can even send out a Tri-Creaser on a free trial for customers to try before they buy, or indeed have it picked up following an agreed trial period. It’s ‘horses for courses’ but we always start with the more simple and least expensive route without compromising on the quality results each customer demands.” The newly updated Tri-Creaser Advance is among the most popular solutions from Tech-ni-Fold. Harris says the piece has been developed to fit into folding machines so stock ranges from 60gsm to 350gsm, including digital materials, can be creased in-line at high speeds to aid perfect fold register. “A high percentage of companies who use a press that prints on paper or board will need some kind of solution to help enhance the finishing quality,” Harris says, continuing: “If they outsource their finishing it is imperative that they know what kit their chosen print finishing company possesses, having some knowledge could be very helpful in avoiding problems of folding or cracking. “If printers look for cheap in-house options that malfunction or don’t address and solve the issues they face it will cost more in the medium-to-long term.” The message is clear – underinvest in finishing at your own peril. Working with suppliers to identify kit that will fit into your workflow and run efficiently alongside other machinery will help you deliver quality finished work to customers. 67 November / December 2023 - Issue 345 www.printmonthly.co.uk FOCUS ON / CREASING, COLLATING, AND FOLDING ▼ Tech-ni-Fold works with customers running offset litho and digital printers
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