Paul Cox, MD of Ronnie Cox Graphic Supplies, the South African distributor, explains that the NSF die-cutting, creasing, foiling, embossing and foil-fusing range of equipment is the culmination of over 30 years of collaborative work between producers of these products and THERMO-O-TYPE. ‘The hallmarks are robust construction combined with the step and repeat function, high-level automation via a full-colour touchscreen controller, computer-controlled centralised lubrication system, dual foil roll shafts with independently programmable foil draw, and automatic impression drop-off (when required),’ Paul states.
The machines feature a versatile suction feeder, jam detection, double sheet detector with interlock, plus batch counter and TDC and BDC controls, allowing for extremely accurate setting to avoid die smashes during make-ready. An optional stripping device is available.
‘The THERMO-O-TYPE RDC (rotary die-cutter), has been specifically designed for digital printing plants that require high-quality output, automated stripping, and quick job changeovers,’ he comments. ‘The RDC utilises a magnetic die-mounting cylinder to accept flexible, steel rotary cutting dies. The dies are quickly and easily mounted in register, and the RDC features “run to edge” or “run to register mark” technology to ensure accurate processing of digitally-printed sheets.’
The stripping assemblies can be installed or removed quickly without tools, and configured with fixed or programmable stripper fingers, for stripping waste from more complex rotary die-cut designs.
The RDC is supplied standard with a high-capacity feeder; full-length sheet alignment table; and full-colour touchscreen controller to control speed, vertical and horizontal registration, feed-start-stop, count and batch functions, jam detect/ interrupt, and programme storage and retrieval functionality.
Completing the digital sheet processing options available from THERMO-O-TYPE machinery is the ZIP TSL digitally-controlled slitter, creaser and cutter device. According to Paul, its combination of features and capabilities are unavailable on any other competitive model. He lists them as the capability to hole punch, die-cut round corners, blind emboss, and perforate and score – up and/or down.
These functions are made possible by the auto-adjust cutting cassettes and two tool stations that accept flexible steel dies, and inline slit, semi-slit, perf and score.
Waste stripping systems
In-house die-cutting is one of the most important and profitable capabilities digital and offset printers can add to their plants. They can quickly and efficiently produce an almost unlimited range of die-cut products utilising the NSF Elite foil stamping, Model Excel embossing and Model Ultra die-cutting presses, and affordable steel rule dies.
Although the NSF presses die-cut at speeds up to 5 000 impressions/hour, and step and repeat die-cut up to eight positions down the length of the sheet, customers can struggle with manually stripping products at delivery.
THERMO-O-TYPE’s inline stripping attachments eliminate the need to manually strip many products that are die-cut on the NSF Elite, Excel and Ultra presses. These attachments use fixed and programmable stripper fingers to direct waste into a collection box, and to deliver the finished products to a conveyor for collection.
The stripping attachments are electronically-integrated, allowing automatic control over the Elite/Excel/Ultra and stripper – using either the touchscreen controls mounted on the press or the remote controls mounted on the stripper.
‘The combination of these technologies provides an incredible range of value-adding capabilities to any folding carton or corrugated board converting operation,’ Paul concludes.
For more information, contact Ronnie Cox Graphic Supplies on +27 (0)11 794 6225.
