Launched this week, the machine, which is an upgrade on the 2012-launched Goldline, is manufactured under licence by Diecut’s South Korean production partner Wook Il Machinery, with pricing comparable to that of current clamshell hand-fed platens, according to managing director Steve Waterhouse.
It's available in seven formats, from the 24-tonne 1.8x1.3m GL-1700 up to the 37-tonne 3.3x2m GL-3200.
With a global install base of 20 Goldlines, half of which are in the UK, Diecut believes it has now developed a die-cutter that doesn't need to be configured to clients’ particular specifications, as it takes a wider range of stocks due to its increased platen size.
“We’ve increased the size of the platen to prevent any flexing,” said Waterhouse.
“When you increase the tonnage and have a big job in there that has 40 metres of rule and is using 2000μm display board, traditional clamshell platens or the first Goldline would flex on impression, taking the operator an increased length of time to make the machine ready. We’ve increased the weight to prevent flexing, therefore makereadies are quicker and it can take more substrates.
“Because the machine is not flexing, even delicate kiss-cutting of self-adhesive vinyl can be done.”
Waterhouse, who told PrintWeek earlier this year that he wanted the development of the Goldline to be his legacy, identified the Evolution's ability to deliver a heavier cutting pressure of up to 550 tonnes – more than double that of the first Goldline – and its patent-pending updated shuttle system for improved registration, as the other key improvements.
Running at up to 800sph but with variable speed control, the machine is able to handle a wide range of materials including corrugated board, display board and plastics such as polypropylene. Its platen is powered by a dual-knuckle system that delivers the higher cutting pressure.
Initially, Diecut will distribute the machine through its own network but it is looking for sales agents in the UK and abroad.
“The fact that we have brought this to market at a comparable cost to hand-fed platens is unbelievable really,” added Waterhouse.
The Goldline range is advertised by Diecut UK as the first manual-feed die-cutter brought to market as an alternative to clamshell hand-fed platens and has improved operator safety over hand-feds, with Waterhouse saying this machine has again been designed with “operator safety in mind”.
He added: “This went to market to combat, and as an alternative to, traditional hand-fed platens and we are there now; we are excited about it. The future has to start somewhere.”
Seven-staff Diecut UK, based in Preston, distributes a range of die-cutting machinery and is now looking to build on this product launch with the opening of a new office in North America, in response to high demand from the region, likely to be up and running within a year.
