Guillotine Revolutionises Work In New Bindery

A move to new purpose-built premises provided the opportunity for commercial colour printer Woods of Perth to transform its bindery operations.

The Scottish firm invested in the latest computerised automated finishing systems from Graphic Arts Equipment (GAE).

A Perfecta 115HTVC Autocut CIP4 guillotine, with computer programming, automatic cutting modes and in-bed waste removal, has been introduced in to an existing Perfecta flowline.

At the same time, an automated JDF-ready Horizon AFC-546 six-plate combination B2 system is boosting folding capacity.

Bindery manager at Woods of Perth, John Richards, explained: "The new Perfecta has revolutionised the way we cut.

When we have one man working it does the job of one and a half operators and when there are two men, it can, depending on the type of work, triple output all with a fraction of the physical stress on the minder, which is as important as the increase in productivity." He added: "I served my time on Perfecta when I started in the trade 14 years ago and there are a number of reasons I prefer its design.

It's quick, has a slotless stainless steel bed and the knife change is error-proof and very fast.

But this latest model with the intelligent programs and automated cutting sequences takes it to a new level." The folding system was a different story.

With Woods' operator's previous experience being with the established folder names, such as Stahl and MBO.

Richards continued: "I first saw the Horizon at Drupa 2004 and, though I was impressed by the technological development in it, I was sceptical because it was an unfamiliar make.

But our chairman, Michael Eddington, was so convinced of its potential he insisted we purchase one and I have to say, once it was installed we were all won over by it." And he added: "It does what GAE said it would and it has allowed us to teach the less skilled people to use it.

There are numerous different fold permutations and set up is much easier too.

This means you can break in to a long run with a short job and in two to three minutes it is up and running - then switch back and pick up where you left off.

It's quite remarkable, really." Woods of Perth was founded in 1830 and has a client base covering corporate accounts, financial institutions and local businesses from throughout the UK.

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