Austria based Offsetdruckerei Schwarzach is using Bobst flatbed die-cutting machines and the Flex Rack system to reduce set-up times. The company employs 350 people and is a specialist in the production and finishing of fine cardboard boxes and labels. It processes 25,000 tons of cardboard and paper every year. In 2018, the company achieved a consolidated turnover of Euro 90 million.
“We are faced with the challenge of producing more efficient short print runs and at the same time, conversely facing intense pressure from competitors running large print runs. We are therefore continuously looking to optimise our complete production process,” said the chief executive officer of Offsetdruckerei Schwarzach, Eduard Fischer. “This can ultimately only be achieved through consistent automation of all process steps and their use.”
Offsetdruckerei Schwarzach’s customers include companies in the consumer goods industry, premium manufacturers of confectionery, luxury and cosmetic products and other Non-Food areas, as well as international trading companies. The company exports 70% of its output.
“We are often running many different types of jobs and, four years ago, we began searching for a solution to reduce the set-up times of the non-stop delivery system,” stated Johannes Knapp, chief technical officer.
The Flex Rack system, which was tested at ODS on a die-cutter in 3B format with a blank separating station, demonstrated that the set-up time could be shortened by approximately ten minutes. Paul Landal who manages die cutting at the company said: “Adjustment of the non-stop system only took about two minutes and highlighted the simple handling of the solution.”
The existing system’s loose rods can be replaced by a Flex Rack system within a day and the number of Flex Rack swords can be adapted to cover the required maximum sheet width of the actual die-cutter. Flex Rack can be retrofitted on to virtually all Bobst die-cutters with a blanking station.
After successful testing, five Bobst die-cutters at Offsetdruckerei Schwarzach were retrofitted with the Flex Rack system. As the company is entering into the field of large-size printing, it was clear from the very beginning that the Expercut 145 PER should be fitted with a Flex Rack system. “When running large format jobs, the reduction in set-up times is even more noticeable,” said Knapp.
