Finishing & Screen Printing
BCQ makes big savings using IOC
Thursday 01. April 2010 - Commercial printer, BCQ Group based in Buckingham recently saved 45 hours production time on a 115,000 run job by using Kocher+Becks IOC (Inline Offset Cutting) system on one of its Speedmaster 74 presses.
“Most printers shy away from large volume die-cutting because its normally a painfully slow process.” says Alan Pond, Production Director, “but we found the IOC system really easy to use. Its very good.”
BCQ has had some experience with other inline systems, but until recently hadnt even heard of IOC. “We get constant demand for kiss-cutting, diecutting and creasing and our first encounter with Kocher+Beck has been so good that well certainly be going back to them for further dies when it suits the job. The customer service has been excellent and we are now actively quoting for larger run die-cutting jobs because we have a new found confidence in our ability to produce them competitively.”
Mr Pond understands there are limitations to any inline die-cutting system but says the advice and on-site training given by the technical support team at Kocher+Beck helped overcome any early reservations. He is particularly encouraged with the productivity benefits and the competitive cost of the IOC system generally.
“Normally Id be putting this work on a cylinder or platen and at best get 2,500 sheets per hour production. Instead, we were able to happily run the press up to 10,000 iph and print the back up in line with the complex diecutting and achieved 4 times the productivity. I have to say the people at Kocher+Beck couldnt be more helpful. Die-cutting should not be feared by any offset printer. Well be running more jobs with this process as time goes by.”
BCQ employ 90 people and operate a full design service as well as digital and offset machines, mainly HP, Xerox and Heidelberg. They also have a wide array of finishing options within the group.
IOC is available for virtually any offset press from B3 up to B1 directly from Kocher+Beck based in Coalville Leicestershire. The company is a leading specialist in the supply of flexible rotary cutting dies to the label and envelope industries which is rapidly extending into the commercial print sector with its IOC system.