Finishing & Screen Printing
Benson Integrated Marketing Solutions Enhances Its Capabilities with Heidelbergs Stahlfolder SSP 66
Tuesday 11. February 2020 - Benson Integrated Marketing, located in Alpharetta, Georgia, has found the perfect folding solution for the companys bindery expansion with the Heidelberg Stahlfolder SSP 66 (first station, configured with 4-plate TH-66 second station). Thanks to the technology and functions of the machine, the Stahlfolder has doubled Bensons folding speeds compared to the companys previous folder.
Complete, All-In-One Solution
Eager to stay ahead of its competitors, Benson Integrated Marketing Solutions installed the Stahlfolder SSP 66 as the first of many new finishing machines in its plant. According to Brian Benson, CEO of Benson Integrated Marketing, “We started to focus heavily on how to create new customer experiences with our digital printing technology while also delivering 24-hour turnaround times. We knew that in order to achieve these goals we needed a better scoring and folding solution – a complete, all-in-one solution folder, with exceptional quality and increased throughput.”
Benson Integrated Marketing chose the Stahlfolder SSP and TH folding station due to its capabilities to slit, score, perforate, and fold all inline. The SSP provides excellent slitting capabilities that can reduce cutting processes and is also equipped with Tec-Ni-Fold tooling that provides high scoring quality.
“With the addition of the folding unit, we can fold pieces inline after scoring, which has resulted in very efficient and accurate production,” said Benson. “Since a vast majority of our work is simple panel folds, this has really benefited our company and helps us to get closer to a 24-hour turnaround.”
Exact alignment of sheets on the Stahlfolder is a result of the Airstream Table, Prism Side Guide and three pairs of slitter shafts. The feeder suction wheel transfers the sheets to the airstream register and prism side guide for perfect alignment, and then the sheets enter the scoring section registered perfectly, where the Scoring, Slitting and Perforation (SSP) is applied. On the Stahlfolder, the sheets are held in place on the Airstream belt by applying low-pressure air through the channeled transfer belt, which creates a negative pressure that holds the sheet firmly against the heavy-duty Prism Side Guide.
“Quality has been greatly improved with the Airstream Table as well as having better scoring wheels. Not only is it resulting in flatter sheets exiting the scoring unit, but the score itself is more of a true channel score,” said Benson.
Based on Benson Integrated Marketing Solutions specific folding requirements, the company chose the FFH Flat Pile Feeder, which is designed for small to medium run lengths. The economical feeder has a small footprint with short set-up times thanks to the pre-stacking device, which allows the operator to prepare follow-up jobs while the current job is still running.
“The feeder is exactly what we needed to run at the highest speeds,” said Benson. “In this industry, its crucial to have equipment that works well with your jobs. The flexibility the Stahlfolder gives us is exactly what we need to be successful as a company.”