AUTOBOND PROVIDES POLLARD BOXES WITH ONE OF EUROPE'S MOST PRODUCTIVE LAMINATORS

Pollard Boxes in Leicester is now the proud owner of one of Europe's most highly productive sheet-fed laminators following the delivery in October of an Autobond 105 CTP, a 105 x 76 cm sized, triple-purpose in-line water-based/thermal machine. It has the ability to laminate at the speed of many sheet-fed print presses. Pollard Boxes is a leading design and manufacturing business in the packaging solutions field. 'We carried out some fairly extensive research and Autobond was one of the manufacturers approached. We were extremely impressed when we saw the 105 CTP in action at Autobond's Heanor factory, laminating SRA2 130 gsm stock at 10,000 sheets an hour. The build quality of the 105 CTP is first class and the lamination itself is superb. Autobond has incorporated a second nip roller on this model, which results in a tremendously smooth finish and improves the gloss, matt and silk appearance.' The 105 CTP is the 'daddy' of the Autobond range, providing a top speed of 80 metres per minute and the ability to take sheets up to 41 inches wide. The laminator offers the choice of applying water-based film one-side of a sheet, or thermal film one or two sides. Many features are standard to all Autobond models such as the 25 mm thick steel side plates, which help ensure strength, accuracy and durability. Despite the size of the 105 CTP, the high level of automation makes it very straightforward to operate, allowing fast make-ready between jobs. The quick-change airshaft means that film rolls can be switched within moments. Autobond has been making laminators for more than 30 years and is also a major producer of adhesives for any make of laminator. On the 105 CTP, adhesive is filtered to 100 microns to ensure clog-free operation and there is the option to vary the coating weight to very fine tolerances, so coatings can be kept to the minimum with subsequent savings in materials. The most obvious difference with other models in the Autobond range is the 105 CTP's huge 1.8 metre diameter heated drum dryer, which is the reason it can run at such high speeds regardless of the film. 'The Autobond laminator has only been in use for a few weeks but we've already tried several different films on various substrates, all successfully,' says Matt Holyland. 'We've run stock from 130 gsm paper to 500 micron board without any problems, while the ability to switch easily between jobs makes the laminator effective at short and long runs. We particularly like the user-friendly touch screen control panel that is linked to the Siemens electronics, which are used throughout the machine. The Heidelberg Speedmaster 102 feeder also guarantees accurate feeding at all times.' Pollard Boxes has customers throughout Europe and provides a comprehensive selection of rigid packaging options to various markets, including luxury goods, cosmetics, beauty care, music, film, gaming, gifts and publishing. The company has installed the laminator at the new 19,000 sq ft premises of its trade finishing division Crusader, which was acquired in June. Crusader specialises in providing high quality foiling services to the print trade. 'We saw laminating as a natural extension to our foiling business and are now able to offer lamination and foil blocking in addition to finishing processes such as cutting, creasing and gluing. Having so many processes in-house allows us to provide a faster turnaround, reducing transport costs and the impact on the environment. 'Throughout this entire project we have been extremely impressed with the service from Autobond,' says Mr Holyland. 'This has ensured a trouble-free installation followed by excellent training and after-sales care - vital on such a large project.'