Product category:
Print Finishing (Binding, Folding, Inserting, Stitching, etc.)
News Release from: Tech-ni-Fold | Subject: Tri-Creaser folder-creaser
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial
Team on 10 April 2008
World Problem Of Cracked Media Now Has
Solution
Print finishers all over the world struggle with cracked substrates when scoring and in their bindery operations, according to UK finishing equipment producer Tech-ni-Fold.
The company believes that is because current scoring systems, whilst producing a linear impression to aid folding, are not able to stop print media cracking because all such equipment uses steel scoring blades The steel, male-female construction that combine in operation are too harsh for the material, when the fibres are usually either crushed, split, or damaged, particularly if the substrate has a UV varnish or gloss finish
This article was originally published on Printingtalk on 11 Jul 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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Tech-ni-Fold added that dry and brittle toner-based digital stocks stand no chance and are usually cut in half during scoring.
At the same time, scoring devices produce a v-shaped impression and all the pressure from the steel scoring disc is exerted at the point of the v, instead of it being spread evenly across the impression like creasing methods.
The company added that if the users looked in to a magnifying glass at the score just after it was applied, he or she would already see fibres breaking away along a thin line in the centre of the impression.
Further reading
Creasing Technology Bought By Binding Systems Firm
The Tri-creaser technology has been adopted by binding systems manufacturer Kolbus to address the problems of cracking on difficult cover stocks.
Spine Creaser Stops Cracking On Cover Stock
A second ST 450 Spine-creaser from Tech-ni-Fold at TL Visuals has replaced the company's older Heidelberg saddle stitcher.
New Digital Creasing Systems Bound For Drupa 08
Three new products are to be introduced at Drupa 08 by Tech-ni-Fold to prevent toner-based stocks from cracking and to stop litho printers spending money on outsourcing creasing.
It said that successful creasing applies the desired impression evenly across an area to form the 'shoulder' so that there is room for the fold to be implemented without damage to that area of stock.
However, current scoring techniques do not create the correct depth and shape required for successful results.
A third problem associated with traditional scoring methods is that systems produce only one score setting but successful creasing relies on a combination of various crease width and depth settings for a range of stocks.
Therefore, why should users expect a single scoring device to cope with everything? According to Tech-ni-Fold, scoring devices rely on the skill of the operator to create an acceptable score width by opening up, or closing two collars directly underneath the blade.
It is more like a balancing act to achieve a reasonable width and depth of score without either cutting the sheet in half, or creating a weak and ineffective impression.
Scoring devices all apply the score to the inside of the subsequent fold and they work the opposite way to the proven creasing method in that they work from the inside pushing the fibres of the stock outwards.
As a result, the inside of the folded product will sometimes be acceptable but the depth and shape of the score is insufficient to prevent the fibres on the outside of the fold from bursting open, which is the most critical area, said the company.
Tech-ni-Fold commented that its Tri-Creaser system utilises a softer patented creasing operation that penetrates the material up to three times deeper, without splitting, or damaging the stock.
The rubber application is said to manipulate and stretch even the most difficult print and stock combinations, including oven baked web offset and toner based digital applications.
At the same time, the Tri-creaser produces a rounded or u-shaped crease that spreads the impression evenly across the width of the substrate without distortion at the centre.
The greater depth of the crease is claimed to force the material to form the shape of the set female channel opposite.
Tech-ni-Fold said that the Tri-Creaser has eight crease options that are claimed to stop the cracking on the a range of materials that run through folding machines from 85gsm - 350gsm, regardless of grain direction, solid ink coverage, or whether the material has been UV varnished, or laminated.
The Tri-Creaser Easy Fit has all the crease settings machined in to it so the user does not have to spend time experimenting, added the company.
The Tri-creaser is claimed to work directly on top of the area that is prone to cracking, gently pushing the fibres back inside the product.
Tech-ni-Fold said that it knows that cracking to the outside is eliminated but also see that a perfect bead has formed on the inside and is highlighted once the folded product is re-opened.
That demonstrates the depth of crease penetration from the outside through to the inside of the product and proves that the letter press method can be replicated on a folding machine. Request a free brochure from Tech-ni-Fold ...
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