Finishing & Screen Printing

Leissing Druckveredelung starts working with the BOBST EXPERTFOIL 142

Friday 11. January 2013 - Leissing and BOBST introduce the world's first large-format foil stamping machine on schedule

With the EXPERTFOIL 142, Leissing Druckveredelung GmbH & Co. KG now possesses the world’s first foil stamping machine for the 1,420 x 1,020 mm format. After ordering the machine from BOBST in early 2012, this well-known print finisher recently took delivery of it at Leissing’s headquarters in Landau in the German Palatinate, where it is now in productive operation. And as early as the start of December, the first jobs produced using the new large-format foil stamping machine were being delivered to customers.
“Installation ran on schedule and as smooth as clockwork,” says Norbert Schulz, summarizing his experience of the last three weeks. He goes on to explain that the entire process had been perfectly documented before the EXPERTFOIL 142 was delivered. “Now it’s in position and is a real eye-catcher,” enthuses the Managing Director, who is delighted that his company is setting new standards with the machine, both in terms of visual impact and performance – and news of the installation of the new machine has indeed spread through the entire European market like wildfire.
Above all, both Leissing and its demanding customers, which include brand manufacturers in the confectionery, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and tobacco industries, appreciate the economic advantages of the EXPERTFOIL 142. Norbert Schulz explains: “From now on we can perform all our work in 1,420 x 1,020 mm format.” This means a significant productivity gain and can even determine the economic viability of jobs with particularly tightly costed margins. What is more, the new foil stamping machine now allows Leissing to finish many large-format printed products such as display cards in a single step. Last but not least, the EXPERTFOIL 142 excels through its high level of energy efficiency because it works with a sheet format that is twice as big as that employed by the largest foil stamping machines previously available. “It makes little sense to print and die-cut in 1,420 x 1,020 mm format if we subsequently have to surrender the advantages of this format and scale down to format 3B during the finishing stage,” explains Norbert Schulz.
Some time ago, the company’s Managing Director informed BOBST of his wish to install a foil stamping machine for large-format operations, and his request met with an enthusiastic welcome from the Swiss machine manufacturer. Since then, the EXPERTFOIL 142 has been developed through to market readiness in a close, partnership-based cooperation between Leissing and BOBST, and a whole range of special requirements formulated by the print finisher have been taken into account. Thus, for example, the machine’s easy-access operability, including its walk-in foil section, represents a real ergonomic advantage for Leissing’s employees. In addition, the machine incorporates a number of innovative approaches to set-up operations. The EXPERTFOIL 142 also boasts other strengths, such as its extremely high stamping pressure of 600 t (6.0 MN) and its production speed of 5,000 sheets per hour which, combined with the large format, ensures the machine’s outstanding productivity. It is versatile enough to process a wide range of varied printing stock – from paper with a grammage of 100 g/m2 through solid board weighing up to 2,000 g/m2, and on to corrugated board up to a thickness of 2 mm.
The EXPERTFOIL 142 was tested at Leissing during November and the first trial jobs passed through the machine flawlessly. After that, there was nothing to prevent the on-schedule customer delivery of the first production jobs processed using the EXPERTFOIL 142.
“The number of enquiries from the market is increasing. And what is more, these are coming from new customers,” says Norbert Schulz, indicating how this investment decision has clearly boosted his company’s market profile. “Whenever anyone has a finishing contract to award, they should automatically think of Leissing,” was Norbert Schulz’s explanation of his strategic aims when announcing the acquisition of the new machine. His plans seem to have worked out.
Norbet Schulz: “By successfully completing this demanding project, BOBST has once again shown itself to be an exceptionally reliable and professional partner. In some ways, the EXPERTFOIL 142 represents the crowning achievement of our partnership which goes back more than 10 years.”