At the end of 2019, Riddle Press installed the Easymatrix 106 CS to replace a die-cutter from another manufacturer that only supported smaller formats. Processing cardboard as thick as 2,000 g/m2 in formats up to 760 x 1,060 mm (29.92 x 41.73 in), the Easymatrix 106 CS is larger than many die-cutters in its class and can easily handle all sheets that are produced on the Versafire EP.
“With our last die-cutter, we were missing out on some of the capabilities from our presses due to the limited range on our die-cutter,” said Nick Adolphson, Manager of Riddle Press. “The Easymatrix works perfectly alongside our Versafire EP , and the new automation that comes on it really helps us be more productive.”
The Easymatrix runs at speeds of up to 7,700 sheets per hour, and gives Riddle Press even shorter makeready times thanks to the intuitive touchscreen interface, along with the motorized die-cutting pressure adjustment and quick-lock technology for cutting plates and stripping tools. With a full 106 format (41 in) and non-stop functionality in the feeder and delivery, longer runs can also be processed efficiently.
“Not only can the Easymatrix run a 106 cm (41 in) sheet, but it can also accommodate a very small sheet – all the way to a 300 x 350 mm (11.81 x 13.77 in) sheet. With a wider range on our die-cutter, we are now able to run everything in our shop. From our short digital runs to our larger format sheetfed jobs, we can run everything off of the Easymatrix at industry-leading speeds,” said Adolphson.
Once off the die-cutter, Riddle Press transfers jobs to Heidelberg’s new Diana Go 85 , which is a cost-effective, flexible and productive folder gluer. At less than ten meters in length, the Diana Go folder gluer is the ideal solution for Riddle Press thanks to its small footprint. According to Adolphson, “We had been looking for a folder gluer, but got stuck because we didn’t have a large enough facility. Then Heidelberg introduced the new Diana Go, which has the same features, build quality, speed, and throughput as you get with larger machines, but is in a format that can actually fit in our facility.”
The Diana Go produces cartons at speeds of up to 250 m/min and a width of up to 850 mm, and handles a variety of carton styles, including straight-line and lockbottom cartons, as well as special styles with attachments, such as envelopes, or even presentation folders. Riddle chose a Baumer hhs Xtend3 extrusion glue system for the machine, which allows them to add quality control in the future to meet customer needs.
“Since we installed the Diana Go, it has made a huge difference in our production output and has produced only the best quality,” said Adolphson. “Surprisingly, it also wasn’t difficult to get our employees trained on the Diana Go – it’s much easier to run than we thought it would be. With its compact design and operator friendliness, the Diana Go is the perfect solution for our employees and our short-run packaging needs.”
Installed at the beginning of 2019, the Versafire EP was purchased to support Riddle Press as the company expanded its capabilities into the packaging field, specifically into low quantity jobs. Supporting 470 g/m2 stock, the Versafire EP with Prinect Digital Front End (DFE) as its backbone, came at just the right time. Printing at 4,800 x 2,400 dpi and 135 letter pages per minute, the Versafire EP is still a staple in Riddle Press’s production workflow to this day.
According to Nick Adolphson, “The Versafire EP is doing everything we need to do, and more. It runs, doesn’t break down, and keeps our customers happy. Plus, it works seamlessly with the Easymatrix 106 CS and the Diana Go 85, which is perfect as we continue to expand our capabilities in the short-run packaging market.”
Alongside the Versafire EP, the Easymatrix 106 CS and the Diana Go, Riddle Press also has a Heidelberg Suprasetter, and uses Heidelberg Saphira consumables, and the Prinect workflow. All of Riddle Press’s equipment falls in Heidelberg’s “scalable solutions” portfolio, meaning that regardless of the size or type of printing business, Heidelberg has solutions from prepress through finishing, with the flexibility to grow with customers as businesses change, which is one of the main reasons Riddle Press partners with Heidelberg.
“Heidelberg continues to surprise us every time we install a new piece of machinery. They are much more than a sheetfed platform,” said Adolphson. “The ability to have one company be able to look at multiple parts of our production line and keep everything assimilated and working together productively, has been a breath of fresh air. Plus, the pricing of Heidelberg’s equipment is very competitive. When you receive these competitive rates and get these machines with the service and knowledge you receive from Heidelberg, it just makes sense to keep adding from their portfolio of machinery to our production lineup. It’s a portfolio of equipment and partnership we can grow with.”
