Having designed and manufactured folder gluer lines since 1942, BOBST is the world leader in this field. Their original machine, the PCR 382, right through to today's high productivity models, developed through research and development to produce equipment which constantly advances what can be achieved using this inline process.
BOBST and flat bed die-cutting go hand in hand. They first invented the technology back in the 1940's with their first Autoplaten, the AP900. From that first diecutter, right up to today's highly sophisticated production lines, Bobst has continuously developed and improved their knowledge and skill of the flat bed die-cutting process. Worth more than 48 billion pounds sterling worldwide, the folding carton industry is an extremely important part of the packaging sector.
Folding and gluing process
In principle, the folding and gluing process transforms a piece of flat material into a finished product such as a box, envelope, or promotional item. This is done by folding the blank along pre-creased lines and laying the adhesive that will hold the product together.
Folder gluers are suitable for processing a wide range of materials including solid board, plastics, metalized varnished boards, litho-laminates, micro-flutes, and corrugated board. Their use is seen primarily in the packaging industry where they convert flat blanks into straight-line, crash-lock bottom, or multi-point boxes.
In the carton sector of the packaging industry they are often called specialty or carton gluers. Folder and gluers are also used outside of the packaging sector by businesses such as envelope manufacturers and commercial printers.
As a die-cut and creased blank goes through a folder-gluer, a selection of specially positioned guides, rotary hooks, and other devices fold its panels to their positions while adhesive systems apply cold glue or hot-melt adhesive to their locations. The folded and glued blank will then be placed under pressure for the adhesive to cure as it is transferred to the delivery. Highly sophisticated control systems trail the blank during its transformation and, in conjunction with quality assurance equipment, will expel any product that does not conform to pre-determined standard.
Flat bed die-cutting is a process used for the cutting, creasing, embossing, waste stripping, and blank separation of a range of sheet materials, from light papers and carton board, through heavy solid board, plastics and in-mold labels to micro-flutes and most types of corrugated board. The process is used in a wide variety of sectors from packaging, label, and display manufacture to commercial printing.
By combining highly accurate registration with precise sheet control at each stage of the process, a flat bed die-cutter offers the ultimate in quality when cutting, creasing or embossing sheeted material.
Cartonboard is mainly used in the packaging industry to make all types of folding cartons, but may also be used for graphics applications. For folding cartons the board used will normally be in the range 200 to 600gsm, or 350 to 800 microns.