"It was not difficult," said Tech-ni-fold managing director Graham Harris. "It was simply a case of building one of its folding machines without the fold rollers or plates."

The unit uses one of the German manufacturer's pile feeders with sidelay. This runs into a double shaft, where the Tech-ni-fold range of tools can be mounted.

The tools that can be supplied with the unit include a Tri-Creaser Easy-Fit, Spine & Hinge Creaser, CP Applicator(micro-perforator), Kiss-cutter and Micro-perforator. It can also be used with the firm's Multi-tool, which incorporates slitting, micro-perforating, edge-trimming and kiss-cutting tools.

"The advantage is that it will be able to run seven or eight times as fast a cylinder creaser," said Harris. "It can basically run as fast as a typical folder, with the advantage of not running through fold rollers, plates and deflectors. So itoffers near press register and higher speeds."

GUK has already showcased a prototype at a show in Germany. A 52cm version will be launched on Tech-ni-fold's stand at Ipex. "If there is a big enough demand for other sizes, GUK will be able to start manufacturing them," said Harris.

Pricing and specifications will be unveiled at Ipex.

Two other products will be making their debut on Tech-ni-fold's Ipex stand. The firm will show a Duplo DCM cutter, creaser and perforator linked to third-party folding units for high-speed inline folding.

Printapply will also demonstrate a hand-fed creaser costing less than 4,000, the Speedcreasa, developed by Tech-ni-fold.