Leading UK magazine and book printer Micropress has chosen Horizon AFV-566FKT iCE Folder technology to enhance its leaflet production capabilities.

The Suffolk business specialises in solutions for publishing, direct mail, and advertising media such as brochures and leaflets. It works with a range of clients including publishers, print managers, other printers, and end users producing books, catalogues, magazines and other commercial print work. It also offers warehousing and pick and pack services as part of a strategy to continually enhance its offering.

Micropress runs three Heidelberg XL106 (2x 8 colour and 1×10 colour) litho presses and the latest 8 colour is equipped with plate to unit and inspection control making it one of the most automated systems in the world.  Digital print is completed on a Cannon IX, a Heidelberg Jetfire, and a Xerox Primelink.

James Cross, Joint Managing Director, explains the decision to invest in a Horizon AFV-566FKT iCE Folder: “We needed additional folding capacity for leaflet work and the main reason we chose the AFV-566FKT iCE Folder was its ease of use. The tools on the system that enable quick positioning and makereadies set it apart from the competition.

“We did look at other solutions but after seeing the system demonstrated at an Horizon event in Hamburg, Germany, we knew it would do what we needed it to do. It will allow us to respond quickly to a rise in leaflet work, especially as the simple to set up and operate solution means team members can efficiently complete the jobs with confidence.”

The Horizon AFV-566FKT iCE Folder manages a broad range of fast turnround run lengths quickly and efficiently. It enables fast changeover thanks to a library of stored folds readily accessible on a 12.1 inch intuitive colour touch screen. There is a status checking screen for a quick at-a-glance overview, Auto Interval Function that adjusts to the optimum production speed automatically for higher productivity, easy recovery at knife fold section to reduce downtime, retainable knife fold stoppers to minimize stoppages and automated adjustment of hold-down roller on knife fold section to find the best position for smoother operation.

Horizon’s cloud-based iCE LiNK provides access to an intuitive easy to use dashboard that reports real-time production analysis for improved efficiency and profitability, remote update capabilities and scheduled maintenance resulting in less downtime.

Adds James: “Using iCE LiNK we will send job data to the machine via JDF and then also receive data back into the MIS. This will enable us to have a clearer picture of production.”

He concludes: “We like the range of innovative products IFS supplies and everyone is very easy to work with.”