Product category:
General Print Supplies, Services for Printers
News Release from: Burcas | Subject: Watkiss Powersquare paper cutting knives
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial
Team on 22 November 2006
Paper Knives Help Bookletmaker Beat
Competition
A paper trimming knife developed and manufactured by Burcas is helping print finishing equipment producer, Watkiss Automation to conquer fierce competition from Japan and Europe.
A paper trimming knife developed and manufactured by Burcas is helping print finishing equipment producer, Watkiss Automation to conquer fierce competition from Japan and Europe Having used Burcas paper cutting knives in a selection of its products since 1991, the company had no hesitation in turning again to the West Midlands (UK) firm when Watkiss decided to develop a new product (the Powersquare) capable of making booklets up to 10mm thick - nearly twice the capacity offered by the company's competitors
This article was originally published on Printingtalk on 22 Feb 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Paper Cutting Knives UK Agent Appointed
Burcas has been appointed UK agent for Kimura steel paper-cutting knives, which are available from stock held at the company's West Midlands location.
Burcas Keeps Guillotines At Optimum Sharpness
James Cropper Converting calls on re-grinding and blade-straightening expertise of Midlands-based Burcas.
Watkiss technical director, Mike Watkiss, said: "We have two competitors in Japan and two in Europe, all of whom are considerably larger companies.
We don't believe in offering 'me-too' products: we compete by focusing on innovation to produce superior products that match our customers' needs.
This is why we decided to develop the Powersquare, although to do so we needed the help of Burcas." Through the Powersquare Watkiss wanted to create a complete book making system for digital print applications, including off-line and on-line models.
Further reading
Fifty million in three weeks
Print management company, Intelligent Print Solutions (IPS) was given three weeks - from receipt of artwork to delivery to 450 stores nationwide.
City Printing Goes To Town With Xerox Digital
London's City Printing has invested ?115,000 with Litho Supplies to install a Xerox Docucolor 5252, making it the first DC5252 to be installed in the London area by Litho Supplies.
Metallic Stationery Covers With Lustre And Sheen
Oxford Stationery has utilised a Metal FX printing technique on the front cover of its redesigned Tom Tower range.
As a specification it had to produce squareback books up to 10mm thick (200 pages 80gsm) - double the capability of conventional machines.
When booklets are folded the pages near the middle of the pile protrude progressively further than those near the covers, creating an unsightly fore edge (the edge opposite the spine).
Professional machines have the ability trim the fore edge.
However, 10mm is a no small feat, claimed Burcas.
"Trimming a 10mm stack of paper is quite a demanding application, which was a job that we knew would test the engineers at Burcas, who we tasked with producing the trimming knife.
Our experience of Burcas is that the company never says you can't do that.
They are always willing to develop new methods, as was the case regarding the Powersquare," said Watkiss.
Burcas set about developing the trimming knife for the Powersquare whilst Watkiss undertook design and development of the machine itself.
Several factors come in to play when cutting through such a dense stack of paper, said Burcas.
Achieving a high quality cut is paramount and to do that the booklet has to be held tightly closed to get an even cut across the length of the booklet and through the depth.
There must also be no visible signs of 'shearing' or ragged edges.
Mike Watkiss continued: "Burcas responded to the challenge brilliantly.
Within no time a prototype had been produced and trial cuts were held.
Several stages of further development and continuing modification, with input from our engineers, followed before we agreed upon a final design." Such is the competitive advantage offered by the Powersquare believes Watkiss, that with the Burcas trimming knife, Watkiss is reluctant to divulge any specific details about the design.
Watkiss explained: "We took a pre-production machine to the Digital Print World exhibition at Earl's Court, in London and to Graph Expo in Chicago in October and the response was overwhelming." Watkiss has targeted sales of 100 units in 2007, with the first machines being shipped in February.
Sales figures are then projected to escalate steeply in subsequent years, added the company.
Watkiss Automation has been established for over 30 years designing, manufacturing and supplying collating and print finishing equipment for various printing operations, including commercial and in-plant, offset and digital production houses.
Although it now employs around 70 people and turns over GBP3 million, the business is still very much in the Watkiss family, with six members currently active.
Today Watkiss exports 75 per cent of its production and has 15,000 machines operational in more than 80 countries.
• Burcas: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Printingtalk email newsletter
• Printingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
