Streamlining production and enhancing quality were some of the drivers behind Epic Print’s decision to invest in a Horizon RD-4055DM (Dual Magnetic System) from IFS.
The Dorset printer of 30 years standing provides its wide ranging customer base with enhanced print. Epic’s clients are based in a broad range of key sectors: cosmetics, food, hospitality, manufacturing and professional services. Approximately 65% of their work is secondary packaging and the balance is marketing communications. Clients range from Lush Cosmetics, Charbonnel et Walker and Four Corners Advertising for Harrods Estates and Southampton Football Club
Recently Epic has gained significant wins in personalised products for the online gifting arena and the RD4055DM provides a significant edge in quick make ready with one sheet approval, as well as speed of throughput coupled with excellent die cutting quality.
It produces litho print on a B2 Mitsubish, 6 colour, LED and digital print on an Indigo 7900. Its post press suite includes a Scodix digital print enhancement press and Kama hot foil stamping and die cutting with stripping and blanking system.
Jon Formon, Technical Director, explains: “In our post press department, we were experiencing bottle necks with our existing machinery. We also wanted to improve our response times whilst maintaining quality.”
The investment follows the addition of a Horizon AFC-566F Combination Cross Folder and a MKU-38 Mobile Knife Unit in December 2017. Says Formon: “We were impressed with the quality of the folder so we were comfortable buying a machine from the same stable. We were already familiar with the software. The robustness and footprint were also impressive. I looked at a number of machines but kept coming back to the Horizon.”
As for what stood out on the Horizon RD-4055DM he states: “We liked the step and repeat feature meaning we use a 1 up die on a 3 up format sheet. This saves a considerable amount on the cost of dies.”
He continues: “It will help us spreading the load. We perform a large amount of die-cutting and versioning and the quick make ready assists in maintaining efficiency. We have been very impressed with the machine – its kiss cutting is fantastic.”
The Horizon RD-4055DM with dual magnetic cylinders is designed to simultaneously die-cut and crease/score short-run product from both sides of the sheet. Running at a speed of up to 6,000 cycles per hour, it can also perforate, slit, hole punch and round corner in one process for digital and offset printed sheets up to 0.5mm. Its repeat-register function enables the running of multiple up imposed applications with a smaller die to reduce die cost (Up to five repeats in a single pass).
As for working with IFS Formon adds: “We have always found IFS to be professional and responsive.”
