TECHNICAL ARMAMENT
in the BOOM of modern PHOTOPAPERS.
DIGITAL CAMERAS create an immense demand for
PHOTOPAPERS, A7 to A3,
from credit card size up to 8 1/2 x 17", 5 to 100 sheets per pack,
various styles and finishes.
Leading suppliers in the photo business are now outsourcing several operations to low
labour countries for counting, inserting, wrapping.
Bulk stacks are converted in China and India into pockets; this means transportation,
handling, administration and side tracks that are increasingly difficult to control in
view of the fast growing demand.
The soaring development of photopaper urges the players on this field to consider a
major technical turn to completely different and innovative ways of production as
used to be in the paper converting industry.
The turn is away from the traditional guillotines, counting machines, inserters, labelers,
all separate step operations, which can now go to
INDUSTRIAL OPERATION IN ONE SINGLE PRODUCTION PASS.
Photopapers are largely standardized and they can greatly benefit from the advantages
of industrial in-line production in a one step operation.
AUTOMATION, designers of SLIM WEB MACHINERY and STACKERS since 1977,
now offers the C98-SYSTEM as the in-line and complete solution.
With its capable partners for packaging in film pockets or carton pockets, Automation
proposes the C98-System as the new way to efficient supply of the staggering demand circles.
Apart from pockets or bulk, Automation in Amsterdam designed the 'BOXER II' for full-
automatic packaging in lid-and-bottom boxes for up to 20 mm (.8") filling height.
The 'BOXER II' features two streams for A4 and four streams for 10 x 15 or 4" x 6".
Traditions in the paper industry keep the converting of photopapers away from slim, narrow
web converting and from in-line finishing. In view of the immense burden of manufacturing
cost, time and control, new technology will become of great attraction in all levels of the
photo related industry.
SMALLER PRODUCERS, WHOLESALE HOUSES and AFFILIATE PARTIES are increasingly
attracted by the chances offered through the supplies for digital photography and scanners
as well.
These market players can come from smaller-growth sectors like envelopes, photo pockets,
business forms. They use established channels to the market, separate from the points of
sale of the big suppliers. The emerging players on the photopaper field often push their own
brand and individual touch to meet the sensitivity of the end users.
Logistics and technical barriers make it often difficult for the global suppliers to meet the
changing taste of the customers. When it comes to non-standard items they like to use the
capacity from new regional suppliers by outsourcing.
In fact, the C98-Converter as offered here, has all the capabilities of fast change-over and
meets the diversified needs.
The large supplier of photopapers, by his multi-step procedure, has to cope with disturbing
riscs or hindrance as stem from moisture, scratches, dirt, count failures, quality inspection,
time pressure, side rolls, backside printing etc.
AUTOMATION and NEW PERSPECTIVES.
Based on many years of narrow web (up to 52 cm) experience and as specialist on high-speed
Stackers, Automation is present on the field of sensitive ink-jet and photo papers in all
current sizes and offers new technique, ideas and know-how.
All components of the C98-Converter are well prooven and used for the line that meets all
specifications of the customer.
The configuration of the C98-Converter is largely determined by the required performance,
the type of conditioning, the number of sheets per pack, backside printing, inserts, labels
and carton.
The industrial revolution in photopaper is on the threshold.
