Programmable stack cutter of the latest generation
With THE 56, IDEAL Krug + Priester offers a stack cutter equipped with innovative software and extensive product features. This creates the perfect foundation for comfortable operation, smart and intuitive control, as well as accelerated handling of print jobs. Uwe Ochs-Bliedtner, Technical Director at DIALOGISTIKER GMBH in Frankfurt, explains the use cases for this compact stack cutter in his company and which features contribute to an optimal workflow and ideal cutting results.
THE 56 is designed to make working on a compact cutting machine simple and efficient – while at the same time being as comfortable and powerful as one would expect from a professional large-format stack cutter. All this is set against the backdrop of accelerated handling of print jobs. Uwe Ochs-Bliedtner: “At DIALOGISTIKER, we offer DIALOG, PRINT and LOGISTICS from a single source: In our field, we are the experts when it comes to perfectly combining manufacturing, lettershop, and digital printing. In addition, as a premium print shop, we stand for the highest quality personalised digital printing. We have been using the stack cutter THE 56 since early December 2022. While looking for an additional cutting solution (or backup cutter) for our Mohr 80, we – through our graphic dealer, Fischer in Hattersheim – came across the stack cutter THE 56 by IDEAL.”
With a cutting length of 560 mm, a cutting height of 80 mm, a residual cut of less than 15 mm, and an insertion depth of 560 mm, the basic specifications of this compact, programmable stack cutter can be summarised concisely. THE 56 boasts an impressive range of features and sets strong standards in this product class with an especially attractive price-performance ratio.
Uwe Ochs-Bliedtner: “Since several people in our company work with THE 56, it was important that the machine is easy to program. This is absolutely the case. The operator can immediately find their way around – even without training or prior knowledge – as the functions are entirely self-explanatory. The machine starts quickly and is ready for use in no time. This is also helped by the fact that programs can be called directly from a list or new programs can be created very quickly. This ensures intuitive operation and comprehensive user comfort.”
Thoughtful functions, intuitive control, efficient workflows
Compared to its predecessor, THE 56 provides more performance, greater speed, and higher output. A genuine leap forward and the basis for an optimised workflow and high precision. Uwe Ochs-Bliedtner: “We mainly use this stack cutter for finishing digitally printed sheets, which includes a wide variety of print products from business cards to brochures. This gives us great flexibility, and the work speed perfectly fits our processes.”
A highlight of THE 56 is undoubtedly the digital multi-touch display, which allows for simple operation. At 15.6‘‘ in size, it resembles a tablet and ensures optimal usability and easy handling. The functional graphical user interface and the main screen with split display guarantee that the user always has the most important functions in view and can select them easily using intuitive icons. Thanks to these practical features, the tedious switching between menus is eliminated, allowing direct access to all functions at any time.
Uwe Ochs-Bliedtner: “Operating THE 56 is truly intuitive and easy to understand. The user always knows what to do next and can navigate immediately. The numbers on the display are very easy to read. The red colour contrast for warnings is quickly noticeable as well.”
The programming and settings level is located on the left side of the display. Here, all main functions as well as saved favourites in the standard view can be controlled and managed. In this settings level, important elements such as date, time, cutting indicator, cutting table lighting, and much more can be set and stored globally via the touch display. In addition, the cutting trigger buttons can be dimmed and the volume of the touchscreen speaker adjusted. On the right side, a numeric keypad allows direct input of measurements, offering, for example, the possibility to save chain cuts in a program. Uwe Ochs-Bliedtner: “For me, the green and red illuminated buttons for cutting activation are a nice and very helpful feature. But overall, the user guidance is very practical, clear, and easy to grasp. There’s no tedious searching, which saves a lot of time and enables fast working.”
Comfortable features for best cutting results
In addition, numerous other functions support a particularly comfortable and easy cutting experience. For example, it is possible to program the desired pressure of the hydraulic paper clamp and adjust it individually for each step of the program. The independent mechanical foot press also provides additional comfort, as it allows not only precise pre-pressing but can also serve as a cutting indicator. The ergonomic Precision-Drive, a kind of “joystick,” also contributes significantly to comfort and ergonomics. Uwe Ochs-Bliedtner: “The stack cutter THE 56 has an extremely clearly visible optical cutting indicator. The very good workplace lighting is also particularly worth mentioning.
From my perspective, precise and comfortable work is also supported by the electronically monitored clamp bar cover and the manual fine adjustment of the back gauge.”
Maximum safety is a focus of all IDEAL stack cutters, including THE 56. Uwe Ochs-Bliedtner agrees: “All safety devices work flawlessly and react very quickly.” These include, in addition to an IR safety light barrier on the front table and a closed back table, a two-hand cutting activation via EASY-TOUCH, and the electro-mechanical knife drive with integrated safety control. Knife and cutting strip replacement, as well as knife depth adjustment, are also safe and practical. This is further reinforced by the PIN access lock with password protection, meaning the stack cutter can only be operated after entering the password. Uwe Ochs-Bliedtner: “Personally, beyond the overall price-performance ratio, the large touch display, good lighting, and ease of operation convince me the most. I would definitely buy the IDEAL stack cutter THE 56 again and can fully recommend it.”