Masterwork launches MK1450ER large format die-cutter

Masterwork Graphic Equipment has announced the worldwide launch of the MK1450ER, which is said to be the first Chinese-manufactured large format die cutter with stripping and blanking capability.

The 5,000sph machine, which is manufactured at Masterwork's factory in Tianjin, can die cut up to 1,450x1,050mm with an accuracy of ±0.15mm and a maximum die cutting force of 600 metric tonnes.

In addition to cutting carton board from 0.1mm to 2mm thick, the MK1450ER can handle corrugated board up to 5mm thick. It has a maximum pile feed height of 1,600mm and a delivery pile height of up to 1,350mm.

Masterwork's European sales manager Ken Farnsworth told PrintWeek that the company already offered a smaller format (B1) die-cutter with stripping, the MK1060, but that the MK1450ER was the first machine to feature stripping and blanking.

This means the machine not only die-cuts, but also removes all the excess material, with only the finished product arriving at the delivery pile where it is immediately ready to be transported to the folder gluer.

An interleaving station inserts sheets of card between the die-cut products to maintain pile stability for runs of say 300 or more. The MK1450ER can be operated by a single employee, via an easy-to-use touchscreen control.

The new machine, which costs from around £800,000 will be available in Europe within six months, with the first two machines due to be shipped to two companies in Italy.

Masterwork will be exhibiting at Ipex later this month (N4-D375) where it will hand a European debut to its MK420Q MINI high speed carton inspection system.

Another new die cutter, a variation of the MK1060 called the MK1060E/S - which has been developed specifically for the European markat, will be running at Masterwork's European demo facility in Wakefield, West Yorkshire throughout Ipex (24-29 March).

The first MK1060E/S arrived in Wakefield around three weeks ago and Farnsworth reported that the company had already had interest from a number of UK-based buyers. Pricing for the machine starts from around £245,000.

Farnsworth described Masterwork's manufacturing facility in China as "one of the most modern plants in the world for the manufacture of post press equipment".

"The products launched over the past few years have really pushed the boundaries of what can be achieved in terms of versatility, registration accuracy and sheer productivity," he added.