FoldStream, a creasing and folding device aimed at the digital print market, has been developed by Tech-ni-Fold's CreaseStream arm in collaboration with finishing technology partner ProCut.

Tech-ni-Fold founder Graham Harris said: “Dirk Stunkel, the founder of German-based ProCut, builds amazing plough-fold units and this was the missing piece in the jigsaw I have long been trying to complete for quite a few years now. He and his talented team [also] bring a lot more to the table.

“There is so much value in greetings cards, and for every copy to stop whilst a blade strikes down does not make sense; our patented rotary method gets the job done up to three times faster.

“Our research told us that the ideal production speed for a one-person operation averages around 10,000 copies per hour, so we capped it at that to meet the criteria, although we can go much faster.”

FoldStream was designed around the new CreaseStream rotary Tri-Creaser Advance technology, which applies creasing to both sides of the card simultaneously so the fold is more flexible and easier to apply.

The process begins with CreaseStream's patented ‘non marking’ bottom fed feeder, which holds up to a 150mm-high load of cards and was designed to keep topping up to ensure production is seamless and uninterrupted.

The company added the plough-fold is always in-line with the crease, and that FoldStream leaves the finished folded product flat.

“There is no better way to fold – particularly when dealing with heavy weight stocks above 300gsm – than using a soft plough application, simply because it does not bend or fracture the finished product like many other systems that use rollers,” said Harris.

“Such methods of finishing will often undo all the good work carried out at the beginning of the production cycle.

“The key to fast makeready between smaller quantity batches is simply down to the plough always staying 100% in-line with the crease; this means all the operator needs to do is move the registration side lay over and reset to different size formats – it’s very simple.”

Extra accessories can be added to the new device, such as additional ploughs, a gluing system, tape applicator, rotary trimming, and micro-perforating.

A virtual live launch of FoldStream will take place next Monday and Tuesday (10 and 11 May) and commercial availability will begin from that point. Pricing information for the machine is not yet available.

To register for the live launch, visit: http://381184.hs-sites.com/foldstream_launch_sign_up