Computerised Folder's Speed And Quietness Crucial

The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has installed the first fully computerised 32-page Shoei folder, supplied and installed by Encore Machinery.

The new folder is part of a GBP4.1 million capital investment in equipment in the UKHO's press and finishing hall.

Until two years ago, the printing and finishing of UKHO's publications were outsourced.

To reduce production lead times and to ensure that the data were as current as possible on publication, the decision was made to bring the job in-house.

Investment was made in an eight-colour KBA 142 ASW perfector and a Muller Acora case binding line but the existing folder was unable to keep up with the production requirements, said Encore Machinery.

UKHO specified a high volume, heavy duty, pallet loaded folder with slot perforation to fold compact, 32 A4 sections for maximum performance on its Muller Acora binding line.

Encore said that the speed of set-up was critical and it had to operate within specified noise levels and to a high, consistent output speed.

Technical support and service were essential as was the supply of spare parts, whilst best value was also compared.

Working within OEJC standard, the UKHO advertised their requirements and undertook an in-depth technical and performance evaluation of a number of folders.

The Shoei Star SHK112 is a pallet fed, fully computerised folder with a vertical press stacker, which is said to be able fold up to 32 page sections.

The configuration is SHK112-4KLZ with two 32 page knife units enabling L and T 32-page sections to be folded on the same machine.

The fold plates, feeder head and all lays are automatically set via a touch-screen display.

All the common folding impositions are pre-set in the machine and accessed via a graphic display.

An additional 200 jobs can be stored in the memory.

The machine also has camera reading of bar codes to ensure the security of each job.

UKHO production manager, Paul Kelly, explained: "The Shoei Star SHK 112 met all our requirements because it performed better overall than the competition in all the areas we evaluated.

Satisfactory references were taken with Shoei customers to confirm Encore's competence in providing the service, training, support and availability of spare parts.

He continued: "We like the speed and ease of set-up via the touch screen display and the automation.

Although we have standardised on 32 page sections, from time to time we do have a need to fold 16 and 8 pages, so the quick change does come in useful We have also been pleased with the service, training and support that Encore has given us.

The planned installation dates were very tight and Encore worked late in to the evening to get the folder up and running to meet our schedule.

And Kelly added: "In our type of operation, where we already have the work, the key is to ensure that we buy the right equipment to maintain our heavy production schedule, particularly during peak periods.

Our loading is already showing 85 per cent utilisation on the Shoei, which is why we are keeping the old folder as a back-up.

We are currently working double day shifts and will probably move to 24-hour working.

He said that the Shoei is a competitively-priced machine for the features and speed it offers.

UKHO is currently running it at 5,000 sheets per hour but it will increase the speed as the operators become more proficient.

Subject to the organisation's purchasing criteria, Kelly added that he would consider buying a second Shoei machine.

The UKHO is a government trading fund and part of the Ministry of Defence, which has been charting the oceans for more than 200 years.

As well as charts, it also produces publications.

UKHO prints 60 new publications a year together with reprints and the average print runs are 20,000 copies with paginations between 380 pages - 680 pages.

Back to top