Seeing is believing: company's first-ever Heidelberg "does
everything we ask it to"
Kennesaw, Ga. - Heidelberg announces that Curtis Packaging,
Sandy Hook, Conn., has installed the first Dymatrix 142 CSB die
cutter in the Western Hemisphere. The massive, 60-ton die cutter
was shipped from Heidelberg Postpress production in
Mönchengladbach, Germany. From there, the die cutter was
dismantled and packed in seaworthy crates, then shipped via
freighter to the U.S. Upon its arrival in New York Harbor, the
Dymatrix 142 was sent to Curtis Packaging, becoming the first piece
of Heidelberg equipment the company has ever owned.
When the high-end sheetfed packaging and folding carton
manufacturer went shopping for a large-format, high-speed die
cutter to replace a 30-year-old machine, it did not expect a
revelation on the order of the Dymatrix 142.
Senior Vice President of Manufacturing, John Giusto, who flew
to Mönchengladbach for a closer look at the die cutter prior
to purchase, admits that he deliberately took a "show-me"
approach to the demo. "I've bought a lot of die cutters over
the years," he says. "I thought I'd seen it all."
While he was initially impressed by the sheer bulk of the machine
and how solidly it was built, it was the performance that sold him.
"When I saw the Dymatrix in action, it wasn't just another
concept anymore," Giusto says. "This was a serious
contender. The Dymatrix did everything I asked it to do - and then
some more."
Now in full production mode at Curtis, the Dymatrix 142 CSB
(cutting, stripping and blanking model) with automatic pallet
feeder continues to amaze. "So far, it has met or exceeded all
our expectations," Giusto says. For example, "The
Dymatrix cuts from the top down, bringing the die to the sheet
rather than bringing the sheet up to the die," he explains,
referring to the exclusive moving upper platen that enables the
Dymatrix to maintain level sheet travel from feeder to delivery,
resulting in a better die cut and smaller nicks. The Dymatrix also
runs quietly and vibration-free, even at speeds up to 7,000 sheets
per hour and beyond. "The scrap evacuation system makes more
noise than the Dymatrix," Giusto marvels.
Curtis operates the Dymatrix across two 10-hour shifts with
one operator and one helper for each shift. "We die cut and do
a lot of complicated embossing here at Curtis," Giusto says.
"While we haven't used the Dymatrix to emboss yet, I have to
believe, based on what I've seen already, that the Dymatrix will
enable us to do it even better."
As Curtis Packaging has discovered, Heidelberg's Dymatrix 142
for 40.2 x 55.9 inch formats delivers top productivity, thanks to
advanced technology and many high-quality features, including:
- Production speeds of up to 8,000 sheets per hour
- Cutting force capability of 674 tons at maximum sheet
size
- High-performance nonstop sheet feeder
- Electronically controlled braking brush in the delivery
section, which permits higher production speeds and ensures that
blanks are deposited in perfect alignment
- Patented gripper bar system that ensures precise
registration
- Moving upper platen that eliminates unnecessary vertical
movement of each sheet as it passes through the machine
- Double-cam drives for the upper and lower strippers that
ensure that all waste is stripped
- Upper blanker with double-cam drive for reliable blank
separation
- High degree of automation and user-friendliness
- Ergonomic design for consistently high productivity
- Optional fully automated pallet changing
In addition to its line of die cutters (which also includes
the KAMA and Varimatrix models), Heidelberg provides a full range
of packaging solutions, including folding carton gluing, embossing
and hot foil stamping machines, as well as image setters, printing
presses, cutters, stitchers and workflow and consumables offerings.
For more information on Heidelberg's packaging solutions, visit
www.heidelberg.com .
About Curtis Packaging
Curtis Packaging has been manufacturing superior folding
cartons since 1845. From making its own cutting dies to doing its
own hot foil stamping, the company is completely self-sufficient,
enabling it to control every aspect of the manufacturing process.
Curtis is a prime packaging source for clients in the Health &
Beauty, Cosmetic, Liquor, Software, Pharmaceutical, Gourmet
Foods/Confections, and Consumer Goods segments, including many
Fortune 500 firms.
Editorial Contact:
Manning Selvage & Lee
Rebecca Harbin
Tel.: +1 404-870-6825
E-mail:
rebecca.harbin@mslpr.com