Finishing & Screen Printing

IDEAL is currently presenting THE 56 – the first stack cutter equipped with intuitive software

Monday 31. January 2022 - The Balingen-based manufacturer thus offers the perfect basis for convenient operation, intelligent and intuitive control and accelerated handling of print jobs. THE 56 thus makes working on a small-format guillotine simple and efficient.

THE 56 thus makes working on a small-format guillotine simple and efficient – but at the same time as convenient and powerful as on a large professional stack cutter. This also applies to demanding and extensive projects. Günther Braun (Sales Manager) and Thorsten Scheidler (Field Sales Manager) were on hand to answer a wide range of questions about this new stack cutter.
This new, compact stack cutter THE 56 has a remarkable range of features and sets strong standards in its product class with a particularly attractive price-performance ratio. With a cutting length of 560 mm, a cutting height of 80 mm, a residual cut of < 15 mm and an insertion depth of 560 mm, the basic specifications of this programmable stack cutter can be summed up succinctly. In general, THE 56 has a lot more to offer: More power, more speed and more output. With a 40 % faster pressing/cutting process, a 50 % higher maximum pressing pressure and a 100 % faster backgauge, this new stack cutter ensures an optimised workflow and flawless precision.
Mr Braun, the most striking innovation probably concerns the operation via the digital multi-touch display?
Yes, that’s right. The integrated 15.6” multi-touch display is reminiscent of a tablet or smartphone and ensures optimal operability and easy working. The display has a functional graphical user interface and a main screen with an intelligent split display. The purpose of this division is that the user has the most important functions in view at all times and can call them up directly via self-explanatory icons. As a result, the user does not have to jump back and forth between different menus and has direct access to all functions at all times.
How is this new user interface divided up in concrete terms?
The programming and settings level is on the left. Here, all main functions as well as the saved favourites can be controlled and managed in the standard view. Via the touch display, the central elements such as the date, time, cutting unit, cutting table lighting and many more can be globally set and saved in this setting level. The cut release buttons can also be dimmed here or the volume of the touchscreen speaker can be adjusted accordingly. On the right-hand side there is a numeric keypad for direct input of measurements, which can be used, for example, to store chain cuts in a programme.
In general, the intelligent user interface is reduced to the essentials. The display always shows exactly what is currently needed. No more, but also no less. The display can be tilted steplessly and thus explicitly adapted to the respective lighting conditions and the height of the user. This guarantees a high level of comfort for eyes and hands.
What are the special features and advantages of this new form of operation?
Definitely in the high intelligence of this stack cutter. Because with THE 56 you don’t have to choose between precision and productivity when working. The user always knows what to do next and can therefore act intuitively. Responsible for this is “CUT-CONTROL”, which is the actual heart of this new stack cutter.
And then the functional graphic user interface in program mode offers innovative control, programming and simple project management. This displays the running programme with the respective programme steps including all active and inactive settings. This makes individual cutting steps explicitly visible. This allows you to create, manage, change and, of course, process cutting programmes. The separately editable individual steps are numbered accordingly and the display runs while the individual steps are being processed. The text field for customer-specific information can also be edited separately.
Programmes already stored can be quickly found and retrieved via an integrated search function. Incidentally, with 8 GB of memory, the built-in SD card offers space for thousands of projects with any number of programme steps.
The file manager enables the creation of a freely selectable folder structure for pending tasks and the storage of meaningful project names for programmes to be saved. Print jobs that occur frequently can be stored as favourites directly on the home screen.
That sounds like a lot of flexibility for the user?
Yes, this new stack cutter does indeed provide the user with a high degree of individuality and flexibility. Both the press pressure and the backgauge speed can be assigned to specific users via the default settings. In the case of hydraulic paper pressing, the pressing pressure can be continuously adjusted and programmed between approx. 250 and 1000 daN. In case of deviations from the general default settings, these values can thus be set individually in each cutting programme. In addition, it is possible to store in a saved cutting programme for each step how the paper sheet must be rotated after a cut has been made.
Mr Scheidler, which equipment elements contribute to the best cutting results?
Precise edges for every cut and every type of paper: that is standard when working with THE 56. There is sophisticated technology behind it, but we go even one step further. A clever design with cleverly placed controls also allows for pleasantly flowing work processes, achieving the best cutting results. Among other things, the precision-bearing knife guide, the electronically monitored press bar cover and the manual backgauge fine adjustment contribute to high cutting precision.
THE 56 is a genuine quality product “Made in Balingen”. We have incorporated all our experience and expertise in the development and construction of quality stack cutters into this new machine. We have supplemented a solid, high-precision technology with an innovative programme control. The result is impressive and we have a virtually unique position in this stack cutter class. This is also confirmed by the positive feedback we have received from users of the machines we have already delivered – both from beginners and professionals with many years of experience. Anyone working with our new stack cutter “Made in Balingen” for the first time will find that cutting has never been so easy, comfortable and ergonomic.
What contributes to the high level of comfort and ergonomics?
In addition to the already mentioned 15.6” multi-touch display, the independent mechanical foot press, for example, contributes to this. In addition to exact pre-pressing – which is very important especially when cutting brochures – it also functions as a cutting guide via an ergonomic foot pedal. The ergonomic Precision-Drive is also important for comfort and ergonomics. This “joystick” allows manual fine adjustment of the backgauge. The EASY-TOUCH control element guarantees safe two-handed cut release via conveniently operated cut release buttons including an integrated, illuminated operating status display. The integrated cutting bar change function and the operator guidance via colour signals also ensure additional comfort during cutting. And with a variably adjustable table height from 950 to 1000 mm, ergonomic working is guaranteed for every user.
Safety always plays an important role at IDEAL. How is that with THE 56?
Safety is also a very high priority with THE 56. The corresponding equipment elements interlock in a well thought-out way – for perfect results, high cutting comfort as well as maximum safety. The comprehensive SCS safety package (Safety Cutting System) includes an IR safety light barrier on the front table, a closed rear table, a two-hand cut release via EASY-TOUCH and the electro-mechanical knife drive with integrated safety control. Thanks to SCS, changing knives and cutting bars or adjusting the knife depth from the outside is also absolutely safe and very practical. This is underlined by the PIN access lock with password protection – another novelty of this stack cutter – which means that the stack cutter can only be used after the PIN has been entered.
What is the situation with regard to service? Does THE 56 offer assistance here as well?
Yes, in the form of our so-called interactive assistance. This makes it child’s play to carry out service work such as changing knives and cutting bars with the aid of animated videos. The integrated help function and FAQs in the programme also guarantee a high level of user-friendliness. All updates for the stack cutter can be downloaded from the USB stick supplied, ensuring that the user is always up to date with the latest software.
Is there anything else to mention about THE 56?
Yes, an optional underframe panelling and side tables are available for THE 56, offering optimal expansion possibilities. For even more comfortable working.

Thank you very much for the informative interview.