The Highcon Beam 

 

The world’s first Highcon Beam digital cutting and creasing machine is being beta tested at Glossop Cartons in Stockport.

The new Highcon Beam is the next generation model of the company’s digital cutting and creasing solution and has been specifically designed to offer enhanced production capabilities, faster speeds, improved software and finishing capabilities for mainstream carton and commercial markets.

Based on its successful experience with the Highcon Euclid, Glossop Cartons realised the benefits of the Highcon Beam and added it to its digital line up. As the only carton printer currently able to offer this digital finishing technology, the company has begun to test the machine, which will be officially launched at drupa in May.

Sales director Jacky Sidebottom-Every said, ‘We’re huge advocates of Highcon and absolutely delighted to have installed this innovative technology that will bolster our production capabilities at our new premises in Stockport. Together with the Highcon Axis web to pack solution, which we are also beta testing, we can bring huge benefits to our customers who are actively seeking differentiation on the shelf, together with faster turnaround, while at the same time streamlining our own ordering processes.’

She continued, ‘This is an exciting opportunity for our customers to benefit from this innovative machine which offers superior intricate laser cut designs and is therefore ideal for a wide range of markets including added value luxury packaging, greetings cards, direct mail and stationery products in particular, along with conventional carton work. The possibilities are endless and we look forward to creating some incredible packaging solutions for our customers.’

Designed as a finishing machine for mainstream production and running alongside the company’s existing Highcon Euclid, Bobst and Iberica cutting and creasing machines, the Beam will eliminate costly production cutting formes, reduce makeready times and run B1 sheets at a maximum of 5000 sheets per hour.

The machine can handle a wide range of substrates, including 2 mm E-flute corrugated board and its cutting section features three high powered lasers, enabling the machine to process substrates at much higher speeds than before.