UCHIDA AeroCut X and AeroCut X Pro
Taking out the need for multiple machines for small-format
finishing jobs, Brian Sims takes a look under the hood of UCHIDA’s AeroCut X range which is supplied by Morgana Systems
Principal consultant, Metis Print Consultancy
Wednesday, 05 Oct 2022 16:34 GMT
Basic functions of the AeroCut X are slitting, cutting and creasing including a self-sharpening guillotine
Finishing in a compact bundle
A tour around smaller print shops will reveal a whole host of machines capable of completing the finishing effects for most stationary such as business cards and other low volume items.
These items are quite effective and can be easily operated to great effect and have been for many years. The only issue, should you need multiple features on the printed copy, then you may need to set up and move around the workshop whilst you finish the work in question. This all adds to set up time and the juggling of staff to ensure the work is completed to deadline.
If you want to reduce the Tetris-type management of resources, then Morgana may just have the machine you need, bundled finishing processes all in one machine which can be effectively switched copy by copy or in batches of hundreds.
The UCHIDA AeroCut X and AeroCut X Pro are a basic machine and a fully equipped bigger brother which are perfectly suited to a digital plant or small-volume lithographic print shop. No longer would you need to have creasers, perforators, and trimming machines as the AeroCut X and X Pro have all you need in one box.
The AeroCut X series offers bundled finishing processes all in one machine
The heart of these machines is tried and trusted Japanese engineering with the overall construction of the finishing machine being robust and constructed from steel throughout. This means the accuracy of finishing can be relied upon, sheet after sheet.
Wrapped processes
The AeroCut X is the basic version within the series giving the obvious advantage of entry pricing but with the option of adding all the functions that come with the AeroCut X Pro which has all the main options as standard.
Basic functions of the AeroCut X are slitting, cutting, and creasing that has two single blade slitters to trim the top and bottom of the sheet; and two double blade slitters for various configurations of business cards, postcards, invitations, leaflets, and tickets for example.
The AeroCut X and X Pro are capable of a wide range of cutting, creasing, and perforating functions all wrapped up in one machine ”
Added to these linear cutting devices is a self-sharpening guillotine which can cut stocks up to 400gsm. The combination of these cutting devices means basic applications include four-edge trimming, side trimming, and cross cutting can be done with ease in one pass.
The maximum size of the sheet is 370mm wide by 750mm long but with additional support the 750mm can be extended out to 1600mm. These sheets are large for the nature of the machine and to ensure each sheet is presented to the cutting section accurately, the AeroCut X has an upgraded air-suction top feeder system which allows the machine to pick one sheet at a time from the top of the ream.
What makes the AeroCut X stand out from other devices of this design is the use of Intellicut software. Installed on desktop computers, users can produce a design or layout of the product you need. The cut and creasing settings needed for the job are encoded into a barcode on the PDF such that the machine has all the information needed for the job.
Business card collating is just one of the features that the AeroCut X series can offer
The barcode is read by the AeroCut X and the machine adjusts the cutters and creasers accurately meaning that set up times are virtually nothing and you are into production at the press of a switch.
Enter big brother
The big brother of the AeroCut X is the X Pro which has all the ability and flexibility of the AeroCut X along with the Intellicut software, but has key options available as standard. The AeroCut X Pro has seven modules within the machine laid out in the super structure to be able to provide a larger number of finishing options all in one go.
First up within the AeroCut X Pro is the barcode reader and registration device followed by a cross perforator. The next module is a pair of jump perforators where it is possible to adjust the depth, distance, and number of jumps the perforator makes on the sheet. The next two modules are the slitter devices that are found on the AeroCut X which provide the basic applications discussed beforehand.
The penultimate module is the guillotine with ionizer which enhances the longevity and accuracy of the cut product. Finally there is a rule and matrix creasing blade with adjustable finishing pressure. With the addition of high-speed creasing and cross and jump perforating, the AeroCut X Pro is fully packed with an increased capacity for production levels.
Clearly the AeroCut X Pro can deliver a greater scope of products and there is an increase in production speed, but both machines can cope with almost any challenge thrown at them. To further enhance the effectiveness is the AeroCut X machines, both can have some useful options added to them.
If you have an idea of greater production levels then Morgana can provide a water delivery conveyor which when installed will allow the operator to use their time more effectively as they need to dispose of waste less often.
If you want longer products, there is a feed table extension device enabling the machine to take longer sheets. With regard to the sheets, if dealing with a troublesome substrate then users can add an ionizer which helps prevent double sheets being lifted from the ream.
Both machines come with pre-set Fiery imposition templates which allow standard products to be dropped to the machine from a proven template and layout. The job memory is 266 pre-set along with 150 that can be customised.
Whichever machine you feel suits your needs best, both will give you the opportunity to remove a number of machines and put one very capable replacement in their place.
Brian Sims Principal Consultant, Metis Print Consultancy, www.metis-uk.eu
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