News
KINGPIN – a new counter locating device which is revolutionising the make-ready process
Friday 26. May 2017 - C&T Channel Matrix, the worlds leading manufacturer of creasing matrix, has developed a revolutionary retracting locating pin for phenolic counters that brings significant time savings to the make-ready process as well as other benefits such as crease alignment and reduced contamination.
KINGPIN is a unique, patented system for locating counter plates that has been engineered specifically to save time during make-ready, resulting in reduced downtime, improved sheet throughput, improved creasing alignment, reduced risk of contamination, and cleaner dies.
The development comes in response to C&T Matrixs belief that the time is right for a more considered, engineered approach to cutting die technology, which has seen little advancement during the last 30 years.
The existing practice for positioning locating pins can lead to significant machine downtime. Pin instability and height variation can also cause movement in the die, leading to non-alignment with creasing rules. Contamination can also occur if pins are mistakenly left in the die-board.
KINGPIN is a completely new concept. It replaces locating pins and rings entirely and instead a permanent pin is inserted into the die-board for the lifetime of the die. There is no need to remove KINGPIN from the die as it self-retracts automatically into the die board upon transfer of the counter to the plate. When new counters need to be laid, KINGPIN can be simply reactivated allowing the make-ready process to be repeated using the same die.
The development and testing process has been extensive. C&T have worked closely with key end users and die makers in the UK such as the MPS Group (Multi Packaging Solutions) across various sites as well as Laser comb Group. The feedback has been extremely positive, with all sites excited about the full commercial launch which in June 2017.
Simon Shenton, C&T Channel Matrix, Managing Director commented: “We are very excited to be launching KINGPIN to the market. Its development is part of our commitment to our customers – we understand the pressures they face in trying to constantly find new ways to improve productivity. KINGPIN will make a significant contribution to helping them improve efficiency in the make-ready process”.