Heidelberg has launched the Diana Easy, an entry level folder-gluer to fill a gap in an expanding portfolio of packaging products. The 300m/min machine was previewed at Drupa last year. This year the official launch has taken place at the Nove Mesto factory in Slovakia operated by Masterwork, Heidelberg’s partner in finishing technology.
This is a partnership that is now more than two-and-a-half years old and has pushed sales of die cutters to new levels, says Heidelberg. Most of the machinery is produced at a state of the art plant in China, including the entry level EasyMatrix seen as a machine for commercial printers who want to add carton printing as an extra service.
The Diana Easy is the equivalent for carton folder-gluers. It takes some of the technology from the top of the range Diana X, pitched at the very top end of the market. The new machine will also appeal to these customers looking for an additional finishing line.
It has been designed to be easy to add functionality at a later date. This might include 4/6 corner boxes or inline injection systems. The speed can also be increased to 350m/minute. It will run boards from 200-900gsm, including corrgated materials and starting with blanks from 75-1,150mm wide for straightline cartons.
The aim has been to keep the price as attractive as possible for the basic machine enabling it to appeal to those expanding into packaging, and will sell in far greater numbers than the flagship machine where potential customers are limited.
Masterwork is currently making heavy investments in the factory to double capacity for the new machine and existing Diana Smart and Diana X. These have been developed with heavy Heidelberg involvement using experience from the former Jagenburg machines. Masterwork produces carton gluers for the Asian markets in China, but these are not considered to be at the same quality level.
With the expansion of the plant, Masterwork plans to expand the range of equipment produced in Europe over the coming months. The plant is also supplying impression cylinders to the main Heidelberg factory at Wiesloch in Germany.
Masterwork is investing in new machine tools and IT at the factory in Slovakia where it produces the Diana range of carton-gluers. The factory is being enlarged to deliver other products. It already produces impression cylinders for Heidelberg.
