Smart creases

The name of the tool, which promises to solve the problem of cracked fibres during folding, is theTri-creaser Easy Fit. It is small, inconspicuous and is fitted directly to the folder. Nevertheless it delivers a depth and quality of crease that is usually only possible with flatbed cylinder creasers, according to the British manufacturer Tech-ni-fold. “Since not all that many companies have their own flatbed cylinder creaser, the creasing process needs to be outsourced”, explainss Uwe Reimold, who represents Techni- fold products in Germany. “This is expensive, not always reliable and, above all, costs time.” The Tech-ni-fold creasing tool, on the other hand, works at the same speed as the folder and so can crease up to 30,000 products an hour, according to Reimold, who points out that more than 20,000 Tricreasers have now been sold worldwide. On average, it takes about three job runs for the device to pay for itself.

EIGHT PERMUTATIONS

The Tri-creaser Easy Fit was primarily developed for use by inexperienced operators and it is therefore designed to be very easy to handle. All the settings for crease width and depth are integrated into the design and cover every possible material weight regardless of grain direction and ink coverage.The tool offers a total of eight different permutations (crease depths and widths). To prevent confusion during set up, the colour coding of the plastic male creases matches that of the corresponding female channels, each of which is identified by coloured dots. The male creases have been improved since the previous model and now, according to the manufacturer, have a longer life and offer enhanced product guidance, in support of the sheet guidance of the tool shaft.

This improvement is particularly apparent to customers that have had to struggle with light papers on conventional cylinders. In order to change the male crease, the desired crease is moved into position over the cone from its storage recess. As a result, the depth of crease can be adjusted without changing the creasing position. All three creases are housed on the tool.

The manufacturer, Tech-ni-fold, believes in its products and its European representative, Uwe Reimold’s company, offers potential customers the chance to try out the tool for 14 days on their own folders and with their own papers without any obligation to buy. “However, it’s very rare for a tool to be returned to us”, saysUwe Reimold. “As a rule, customers are convinced after the trial period”. Reimold is well aware that his service does not end with the sale. For difficult products, he and his teamare available at any time.

Article by Martina Reinhardt