Heidelberg Delivers First Dymatrix to Curtis Packaging

KENNESAW, Ga.—Heidelberg announced that Curtis Packaging, Sandy Hook, Conn., has installed the first Dymatrix 142 CSB die cutter in the Western Hemisphere. The massive, 60-ton die cutter was shipped from Heidelberg Postpress production in Mönchengladbach, Germany. From there, the die cutter was dismantled and packed in seaworthy crates, then shipped via freighter to the U.S. Upon its arrival in New York Harbor, the Dymatrix 142 was sent to Curtis Packaging, becoming the first piece of Heidelberg equipment the company has ever owned.

When the high-end sheetfed packaging and folding carton manufacturer went shopping for a large-format, high-speed die cutter to replace a 30-year-old machine, it did not expect a revelation on the order of the Dymatrix 142.

Senior Vice President of Manufacturing John Giusto—who flew to Mönchengladbach for a closer look at the die cutter prior to purchase—admits that he deliberately took a ‘show-me’ approach to the demo. “I’ve bought a lot of die cutters over the years,” he says. “I thought I’d seen it all.” While he was initially impressed by the sheer bulk of the machine and how solidly it was built, it was the performance that sold him. “When I saw the Dymatrix in action, it wasn’t just another concept anymore,” Giusto says. “This was a serious contender. The Dymatrix did everything I asked it to do and then some.”

Now in full production mode at Curtis, the Dymatrix 142 CSB (cutting, stripping and blanking model) with automatic pallet feeder continues to amaze. “So far, it has met or exceeded all our expectations,” Giusto says. For example, “The Dymatrix cuts from the top down, bringing the die to the sheet rather than bringing the sheet up to the die,” he explains, referring to the exclusive moving upper platen that enables the Dymatrix to maintain level sheet travel from feeder to delivery, resulting in a better die cut and smaller nicks. The Dymatrix also runs quietly and vibration-free, even at speeds to 7,000 sph and beyond. “The scrap evacuation system makes more noise than the Dymatrix,” Giusto marvels.

Curtis operates the Dymatrix across two 10-hour shifts with one operator and one helper for each shift. “We die cut and do a lot of complicated embossing here at Curtis,” Giusto says. “While we haven’t used the Dymatrix to emboss yet, I have to believe, based on what I’ve seen already, that the Dymatrix will enable us to do it even better.”

As Curtis Packaging has discovered, Heidelberg’s Dymatrix 142 for 40.2 x 55.9 inch formats delivers top productivity, thanks to advanced technology and many high-quality features, including:
• Production speeds of up to 8,000 sheets per hour
• Cutting force capability of 674 tons at maximum sheet size
• High-performance nonstop sheet feeder
• Electronically controlled braking brush in the delivery section, which permits higher production speeds and ensures that blanks are deposited in perfect alignment
• Patented gripper bar system that ensures precise registration
• Moving upper platen that eliminates unnecessary vertical movement of each sheet as it passes through the machine
• Double-cam drives for the upper and lower strippers that ensure that all waste is stripped
• Upper blanker with double-cam drive for reliable blank separation
• High degree of automation and user-friendliness
• Ergonomic design for consistently high productivity
• Optional fully automated pallet changing

In addition to its line of die cutters (which also includes the KAMA and Varimatrix models), Heidelberg provides a full range of packaging solutions, including folding carton gluing, embossing and hot foil stamping machines, as well as image setters, printing presses, cutters, stitchers, and workflow and consumables offerings. Visit www.heidelberg.com for more information on Heidelberg’s packaging solutions.