Highcon details Euclid II

The launch of Euclid II was revealed earlier in the summer by Highcon, which had previous to that revealed details of a number of upgrades to the first-generation Euclid.

Euclid II will be available at a range of price points and in different configurations as defined by the customer. This is intended to provide a tailored system for digitally finising a range of printed products, while also reducing the level of capital expenditure required to implement the technology. A top-of-the-line Euclid II+ will include all of the new features.

Euclid II’s new features are: an integrated digital stripping unit, a built-in waste stripping mechanism that automatically removes the waste from the smallest internal cutouts; optical registration that, in addition to the registration of the sheets mechanically on the machine, adds the ability to align the creasing and cutting to the image; a fine cutting accelerator, a software module that makes laser cutting and marking faster and more flexible; web-to-pack software, for which Highcon has collaborated with expert software developers to produce purpose built web-to-pack software. Highcon said that when combined with the digital cutting and creasing of the Highcon Euclid, this software will offer print service providers and packaging converters the ability to open customized online stores with all the advantages of a digital process.

Additional new features of the Euclid II series include: a new substrate handling system, which can handle a wide range of substrates such as paper, folding carton, labels and microflute with additional sensors ensuring registration accuracy and a smooth, uninterrupted sheet flow; enhanced creasing quality via a new polymer formula and the implementation of optimized rule geometry that keeps a balance between strength and flexibility so allowing the production of sharp and accurate creases with a new ability to produce curved lines; optimized cutting algorithms that heighten the accuracy and control over the laser power while allowing higher production speeds to be achieved; and a new user-friendly interface to provide improved productivity as well as enabling remote service.

Aviv Ratzman, Highcon chief executive officer and co-founder, said: ‘By transforming finishing into a value adding process, the Euclid II series can positively impact each user’s profitability.’

The Euclid II series will makes its debut at Graph Expo, while it will be introduced to the European folding carton market during a session during the second day of the ECMA Pro Carton Congress 2014.

Graph Expo will also be the first public exhibit of the Highcon Euclid digital technology in the North American market, with live demonstrations of the Highcon Euclid II+ machine on its stand. Highcon has also ready sold a number of machines into North America, namely to Anro and American Greetings.