Beatus Cartons invests in die-cutting

Beatus Cartons has constructed a state-of-the-art innovation center to house a new carton design studio, and new pre-press and proofing equipment. The upgrades in pre-press were followed by the installation of a 7-color Rapida 106 plus double coating press from Koenig & Bauer in November 2017.

Beatus Cartons specializes in providing folding printed cartons in solid board, litho laminated flute and plastic packaging for the food, pharmaceutical, confectionery, motor, glassware, health and beauty industries.

Clive Stinchcombe, Beatus Cartons managing director, explained: ‘We are a forward-thinking company, proud of our longevity, but equally excited by the future that lies ahead. It was imperative that following the huge investment in the new Rapida press that we matched it up in terms of efficiency with complementary cutting and creasing machines. We could not afford to have a disassociation between the print and cutting and creasing departments, which would have hindered productivity and compromised on efficiencies.

‘The Iberica Optimas would ensure that the transition would be largely seamless once both of the machines were in-situ and running to their optimum capabilities.’

The Optima 106 machines are specifically designed to handle production of paper, cardboard, plastic and corrugated boards up to 1.5mm and run at a top speed of 8500 sheets per hour.

To match the large range of materials from different sectors of the packaging market produced at Beatus Cartons, the Optimas are specified with a whole host of items in addition to the standard supplied equipment. Both devices are raised on a 400mm plinth to match the new Rapida 106, which allows larger stacks to be handled and improves productivity. To produce on lighter stocks a paper kit for thinner materials has been specified as well as antistatic equipment to aid production of the plastic materials Beatus Cartons produce on a regular basis. The Optimas also feature motorized front lays. The devices have the latest Varioplan system designed to reduce the number of nicks required increasing the quality of the job, which, in turn increases productivity by up to 25 percent compared with older model Iberica die-cutters. In addition, a front edge stripping device is also included which removes the need for manual stripping at the front edge of the sheet and a Fast-Flow chase ensures quick change over of the dies.

Stinchcombe commented: ‘It was the flexible nature of the machine whereby we could basically have it tailor made to our specification that made the decision to choose this machine so much easier. As a company with such a diversified range of styles and substrates it was not only essential, but critical to be able to cover all bases and this machine does just that.’

The second of the two machines will be delivered in March after a successful installation of the first in November last year.

KBA (UK) sales director Chris Scully added: ‘Beatus Cartons has a clear strategy in place for taking the business to a new level which will ultimately result in greater returns for all at the company. The installation of Optima 106s is a key milestone in the expansion program Beatus Cartons put in place several years ago and ensures they have one of the most modern and well specified carton production plants in the UK.’