Me & My Machine: "Bobst kit never dies," says Ajay Mendes of Nebula Home Products

Ajay Mendes, managing director of Goa-based Nebula Home Products is impressed with the machine metallurgy, and says Bobst kit never dies

Describe the company?
Nebula Home Products, established in Goa in 1994, manufactures and supplies packaging products. It is a family-run business and and specialises in design and manufacture of printed and e-fluted cartons.

What does the machine do?
The machine die-cuts, and also does embossing, debossing, kiss-cutting and perforating.

Why did you choose this particular machine?
It’s huge in terms of its capacity and it can handle all types of carton layouts. It handles metallised sheets well, with minimal makeready time. The 106 minimises the nicks on the cartons  thereby producing many more commercially accepted sheets.  It’s ideal for our type of work.

Did you look at any other similar machines?
Yes, did take a look at the Dymatrix and Yoco die-cutter, but found the Novacut a better all-round machine. We have several Bobst machinery including two Bobst SP-102 die-cutters.

Why did you make this purchase?
After deciding to add a press to our armoury we needed a die-cutter as our existing line of die-cutters would not be able to complement the speed of the press. We did not want the press with its speed pile up sheets.

What features do you particular like?
The flexibility to handle substrates of upto 2,000 gsm board and E/F flute up to 4mm thick. We produce a number of jobs  daily and it’s micrometric centrings  and centreline system ensure fast changeover of jobs, day after day. And the quick lock cutting chase feature offers quicker positioning, locking and unlocking of dies.

Is there anything that you dislike?
Not really. It just does everything we would like it to do.

How fast is it?
We run it to its maximum speed of 8,000 sph even for our metallised sheets. The very first job ran at this speed.

How reliable is it?
It is big on reliability, just like its size. Bobst machines are the best when metallurgy is concerned and Novacut is no exception. Bobst machines never die.

What’s the quality like?
For every print job, finishing is the most critical factor of the post-press. The perfect registration, use of fewer and smaller nicks means the job is on a song.

How easy is it to use?
It’s simple and easy to operate. Our operators are adept at using Bobst machinery.

Has it won you any new work?
Not really, but it has complemented our existing workload and also put us in line for opening up to new markets.

Would you say that it offers value for money?
Yes, it does. It has enhanced our efficiency.

Were there any difficulties experienced during the installation or after?
Not really. It was delivered on schedule and installed promptly.

What about the pre- and after-sale service?
Excellent on both the counts. The service response has been brilliant when we have needed it.

Who do you think the machine is right for?
If someone in the print packaging segment is looking to take quality and performance to a higher level, it’s the most perfect equipment.

Under what circumstances would you buy another?
There’s whole new market that is opening up and we expect that to grow, which mean we will need to consider more capacity. Bobst will always be part of our growth.

Conclusion
User’s verdict    

Speed    5/5
Quality   5/5
Reliability 5/5   
Value for money 5/5   

Supplier’s Response
Venugopal Menon, vice president, business unit – sheetfed for Indian sub-continent at Bobst, says: "Mendes is right when he says that the Bobst NovaCut 106 is the most perfect equipment for someone in the print packaging segment who is looking to take quality and performance to a higher level. Also the Novacut 106 is the most cost effective die-cutter in it’s class interms of cost of per 1,000 sheets die-cut and also in terms of it’s versitality to handle substrates from 90 gsm to 2,000 gsm solid board and upto 4 mm thick corrugated E/B flute. The NovaCut 106 is helping Nebula complement it’s  existing workload and also explore new markets."

Contact
Venugopal Menon
+91 20 3987 8080/
+91 98225 04359
venugopal.menon@bobstgroup.com