Product category:
Print Finishing (Binding, Folding, Inserting, Stitching, etc.)
News Release from: Autobond | Subject: Mini-T Laminator
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial
Team on 24 March 2004
Entry-Level Thermal Laminators From
Autobond
In a major addition to its range UK manufacturer Autobond is launching a series of entry-level, sheet-fed thermal laminators that make the process viable for conventional and digital printers.
In a major addition to its range UK manufacturer Autobond is launching a series of entry-level, sheet-fed thermal laminators that make the process viable for conventional and digital printers as well as finishing houses with a requirement for low levels of B3 to B1 laminating All the new Autobond Mini-T laminators are aimed at the short to medium run market and the first model to be manufactured in the range is the B2 Autobond Mini-T 52 x 74
This article was originally published on Printingtalk on 24 Feb 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Autobond has developed a new range of laminating equipment, including thermal and water-based systems.
The Mini-T 52 x 74 will be demonstrated on Autobond's Drupa stand (11A28), although the company will take orders prior to the exhibition and is anticipating an eight week delivery from receipt of order.
Other equipment on the stand will include a Compact 102 TP laminator with stacker.
"There is a huge market for a high-quality laminator that is not expensive to purchase, quick to make ready and efficient at handling runs up to 5,000 sheets," said managing director John Gilmore.
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Edinburgh trade finishing house Taskforce has installed Scotland's first Compact 102T thermal laminator.
"We've spent a great deal of time listening to our customers, examining what we already produce and looking at what printers and finishing houses need in order to bring this process in-house, and we believe the new Mini series will take the market by storm." The Mini-T 52 x 74 will cost around ?30,000 (45,000 Euros), yet combines all the features of quality, reliability and robust construction that have made Autobond's Compact and Sheetmaster ranges so popular.
The new laminator can be used with stock from 115gsm - 450gsm, and will handle matt or gloss polypropylene and acetate thermal film.
Running speeds are up to 30 metres per minute.
This equates to 2,500 B2 sheets an hour, or 8,500 sheets per hour of A4, the smallest sheet that can be put through the machines.
"The material cost of laminating 1,000 sheets of SRA2 with thermal film is less than ?20, which makes the Mini-T 52 x 74 extremely cost effective.
When you consider that laminating the same number of similar sheets when we started in 1978 would cost around ?75 and require a high degree of operator skill, it is easy to see how developments in technology have made the process available to everyone," said Gilmore.
All the Mini-T laminators incorporate a Heidelberg Stahl suction drum feed, which enables top loading of sheets for continuous feeding of work.
This results in operators achieving the full output levels of the machine.
In addition, a complete job change using different film and stock can be carried out in less than five minutes.
"The industry has been moving towards shorter and shorter print runs for years and the emergence of output from digital presses has increased this trend further.
Printers and finishing houses have been in need of a quality laminator that allows them to handle these short runs effectively, particularly when you consider how good lamination can enhance the appearance of the printed material," added Gilmore.
When trade laminators are already running jobs, it is generally inconvenient to interrupt longer run work in order to turnaround 100 sheets - often the type of job that needs a fast response, he commented.
The Mini-T 52 x 74 has a footprint of only 1 metre x 2 metres, allowing it to be used where space is limited, while the high level of automation means that the operator does not have to be skilled.
Autobond said it can train someone within a day to use the new laminator and supports the machines with a full year's warranty on parts and labour, while experienced staff is available on the telephone at the Derbyshire factory to help with any queries.
All the laminators have 30mm thick side plates, and this solid construction ensures accurate control of sheets and film.
The machines use the same 240 mm diameter chrome laminating rollers and Swiss-made heating systems used in the larger Autobond Compact and Sheetmaster laminators.
The Mini-T series also incorporates Siemens PLC and inverter drives.
Other features include a pneumatic film brake, film slitter and perforators, an automatic integral sheeter that runs in-line with the laminator, a sheet counter and an adjustable anti-curl bar.
Autobond is already building a B3 Mini 36 x 52 and B1 Mini 74 x 102 laminator and expects these to sell for around ?25,000 (37,700 Euros) and ?36,000 (54,300 Euros) each.
The company will take orders for all three new models at Drupa and says it will offer a perfecting option for each of the new models and can manufacture a water-based version if ordered.
Autobond manufacturers sheet-fed laminators, both thermal and water-based, and is a supplier of thermal and water-based films and adhesives, which can be used on most makes of laminator.
The company has customers in more than 130 countries.
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