The DYSS X5-1630C, which has an automatic sheet feeder, was bought from AG/CAD and installed at the 36-staff company's base in Tamworth, Staffordshire two months ago.

It forms part of a two-year investment in technology that included the installation in March of a Screen Truepress and a Durst P10 inkjet printer late last year. The company also runs an Inca Spyder 320.

The purchases were made to improve lead-times and productivity on the firm's short- and medium-run POS and packaging projects.

The new DYSS machine has improved process control and increased throughput, leading to a reduction in costs, said Daytona Visual technical director Oliver Wassall.

“We've been investing in machines over the last couple of years and the X5 was the next logical step. We were outsoucing more large-sheet work and wanted to bring it in-house.

“Buying a digital die-cutter has streamlined work. It has an auto sheet feeder, so there is need only for one operator.”

He added: “Our die-cutters can’t always facilitate the large-format sheet sizes available on our large-format digital flatbeds that can be up to 3m by 1.6m.

“To make full use of the bed size, we had to get large cutting formes produced externally and then send these and the large-format sheets to an external supplier for cutting.

“The sheet sizes and quantities could often make this a logistical problem that disrupted our workflow. This is why we invested in the DYSS digital die-cutter.

“It has improved lead-times, throughput and workflow whilst giving us more flexibility. The DYSS is on the production floor while an existing Kasemake KM603A is in the design department producing prototypes.”

The firm's Truepress large-format printer runs at up to 150sqm/hr. Depending upon the complexity of the cutting profile, the DYSS X5 can keep pace with the printer.

“With the automatic feeder, we can load hundreds of sheets, with the one operator removing the sheets, stripping and palletising them for collation or shipping,” said Wassall.

“Without the loading table, our processing speed would have required one operator for loading the DYSS and another unloading.

“As the DYSS X5 runs continuously for two shifts each day, this could potentially be two additional staff - a cost saved by using the auto loader.”