Introduction:
The
AutoCreaser, made in the UK by Morgana, provides
the complete solution to the problem of cracking
that occurs when folding digitally printed output.
It is equally effective in dealing with conventionally
printed card, laminates or cross-grained stock.
Before
Morgana launched the AutoCreaser, printers and
finishers faced with these problems had two choices.
The first was to use a platen or cylinder press – effective,
but very slow to set up and demanding high skill
levels. The second involved the use of rotary
scoring, which almost inevitably damages the
material, resulting in white show through on
the spine of the folded document.
The
AutoCreaser is a fully automatic, suction fed
device, which is 10 times faster to set up than
a platen and is supremely easy to use. It takes
a maximum sheet size of 630mm x 330mm and accepts
stock up to 350 gsm. It performs 2700 creases
per hour on A4. The AutoCreaser can also be programmed
to make 9 creases in a single pass with a 4mm
minimum distance between creases. For repeat
work it will memorise up to 9 pre-set applications.
The
AutoCreaser works by using a creasing rule and
matrix action that applies several tonnes of
pressure to weaken the fibres of the paper. Unlike
a scorer, however, this does not tear the surface,
so there is no white show-through – even
when the fold is made in an area of solid colour.
Creasing blades can easily be changed and the
operating action can be reversed for inverse
creasing.
The
AutoCreaser is fully mobile with a small footprint.
A single operator can feed the machine and offload
the catch tray or optional jogger (not included). To
eliminate cracking of the substrate the AutoCreaser
employs a technique by which the fibres are embossed
to weaken them. The creasing mechanism consists
of a male creasing rule and a female matrix that
come together to perform a superb crease. By
embossing the paper in this way, cracking is
eliminated.
Creasing
versus Scoring
Traditional rotary scoring machines use circular
blades that are in constant motion as the stock
passes through them. This creates a ploughing action
that actually cuts through the top fibres of the
paper or card in order to create a score. Inevitably
this weakens the paper and encourages cracking.
In contrast, the Morgana AutoCreaser employs a
unique creasing rule and matrix - as illustrated
- that eliminates tearing and, therefore, cracking.
