Digital cutting technology to replace standard die cutting is another option that packaging material converters can employ to provide brand owners with cartons that possess strong on-shelf presence.

February 2, 2015

3 Slides

Packaging converters play an integral role in the appearance, performance and quality of packaging. Positioned near the head of the packaging supply chain just downstream of substrate manufacturers, they contribute to packaged goods’ consumer-drawing traction desired by brand owners.

Besides the use of digital printing methods, converters these days also have the option of considering digital cutting using lasers and creasing systems. With that in mind, we present examples of  several impressive cartons converted using high-end “direct to pack” Euclid and Euclid II Series model digital/laser cutting from Highcon, Yavne, Israel, that can really make for a standout presence on shelf.

Highcon’s patented DART (Digital Adhesive Rule Technology) polymer is written onto the DART Foil, instantly forming the high-quality creasing rules in a matter of minutes, with no need for a traditional die. The recently introduced Euclid II can handle a wide range of substrates including paper, folding cartons, labels and microflute.

 

Update from Highcon Americas

Vic Stalam, president, Highcon Americas, informs Packaging Digest that the Highcon Euclid system debuted at the 2012 Drupa exhibition, with the first installation made the following year. These days Highcon is also selling its second generation of these high-performance converting machines, the Euclid II series. 

The Euclid can handle label and paperboard substrates from 8 to 24-point caliper and N and F microflute up to 47 point. Sheet sizes range from a minimum of 12.5 x 18 inch (portrait orientation) to a maximum of 30 x 42 inch (portrait orientation).

These systems are a notable capital expenditure: The entry-level solution is priced at $690,000, according to Stalam, and the pricing goes up from there based on options selected; click here for details of the optional add-on modules.

Stalam states that there are about a dozen installations of these systems worldwide, including three in the U.S.; those are at American Greetings, at Anro, which PD learned was the first installation of the digital cutter in North America according to the vendor, and at Carolina Graphic Services. CGS installed a Highcon Euclid II+ digital cutting and creasing machine in the second half of 2014. You can read more on that here.

“Our customers have used the Highcon Euclid to digitally finish a wide variety of products, including envelopes, greeting cards, brochures, promotional items, header cards, hanger cards, a huge range of packages and decorative labels,” Stalam explains. “The benefits they have found with the system include increased design flexibility, faster time to market, increased efficiency, and reduced carbon footprint.”

 

The company’s website is www.highcon.net.

 

You can see examples of the kind of materials and packaging it can produce in the accompanying Slideshow Gallery:

1.      Is this the most bubbly carton ever?

2.      The award-winning gelato box offers intricately made “playability.”

3.      An award-winning wine carton converted by Glossop Cartons that’s a “grape” one as viewed from several angles.

 

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