BESPOKE CUTTING KNIFE KEEPS WATKISS AT CUTTING EDGE
Posted : Wed 2nd Aug 2006 @ 13:22A special paper trimming knife developed and manufactured by Burcas is helping print finishing equipment producer, Watkiss Automation conquer fierce competition from Japan and Europe by pushing ahead in the innovation stakes.
Watkiss Automation has been designing, manufacturing and supplying collating and print finishing equipment for over 30 years to various print operations including commercial and in-plant, offset and digital.
Having used Burcas paper cutting knives in a selection of its products since 1991, the company had no hesitation in turning again to the West Midlands specialist when Watkiss decided to develop a new product (the PowerSquare) capable of making booklets up to 10mm thick - nearly twice the capacity offered by the company's competitors.
"We have two competitors in Japan and two in Europe," explains Technical Director Mike Watkiss, "all of whom are considerably larger companies. We don't believe in offering ‘me-too' products: we compete by focusing on innovation to produce superior products which match our customers' needs. This is why we decided to develop the PowerSquare, although to do so we needed the help of Burcas."
Through the PowerSquare Watkiss wanted to create a complete book making system for digital print applications, including off-line and on-line models. As a specification it had to produce SquareBack books up to 10mm thick (200 pages 80gsm) - double the capability of conventional machines.
When booklets are folded the pages near the middle of the pile protrude progressively further than those near the covers, creating an unsightly fore edge (the edge opposite the spine). Professional machines such as those manufactured by Watkiss have the ability trim the fore edge. However, 10mm is a no small feat.
"Trimming a 10mm stack of paper is quite a demanding application," says Mike. "A job that we knew would test the engineers at Burcas, who we tasked with producing the trimming knife. Our experience of Burcas is that they never say ‘you can't do that' or ‘not in a million years'. They are always willing to develop new methods, as was the case regarding the PowerSquare."
Burcas set about developing the trimming knife for the PowerSquare while Watkiss undertook design and development of the machine itself. Several factors come into play when cutting through such a dense stack of paper. Achieving a high quality cut is paramount. To do this the booklet has to be held tightly closed in order to get an even cut across the length of the booklet and through the depth. There must also be no visible signs of ‘shearing' or "tatty edges".
"Burcas responded to the challenge brilliantly," declares Mike. "Within no time a prototype had been produced and trial cuts were held. Several stages of further development and ongoing modification, with input from our engineers, followed before we agreed upon a final ‘design'."
Such is the competitive advantage offered by the PowerSquare, with its specially developed Burcas trimming knife, that Watkiss is understandably reluctant to divulge any specifics about the design.
"We took a pre-production machine to the Digital Print World exhibition at Earl's Court and to Graph Expo in Chicago in October and the response was overwhelming," states Mike.
Watkiss has targeted sales of 100 units in 2007, with the first machines being shipped in February. Sales figures are then projected to escalate steeply in subsequent years.
Watkiss Automation has been established for over 30 years. Although it now employs around 70 people and turns over £3 million, the business is still very much in the Watkiss family, with six members currently active.
"While we like to associate ourselves with the traditional values of a family business, such as attention to detail and personal service, we are also highly progressive and innovative," he says.
Today Watkiss exports 75 per cent of its production and has 15,000 machines operational in more than 80 countries.
Burcas News
Burcas is going Nuclear!!
Following a series of confidential meetings with a number of major nuclear suppliers regarding the problems they have experienced...
Read More
BURCAS AT DESI 2009 DEFENCE EXHIBITION
Dsei 2009 was held at the Excel Centre in the heart of the London Docklands during mid September.
Burcas concentrated on...
Read More
Burcas adds 5-axis machining
In August 2008, family-owned tooling manufacturer and subcontractor, Burcas Ltd, installed its first 5-axis machining centre...
Read More
Burcas get another CNC-controlled Hardinge Kellenberger
Midlands based precision engineering specialist, Burcas, has recently invested in a second CNC-controlled Hardinge Kellenberger...
Read More
Burcas Invest in a Schneeberger Norma 5-Axis CNC Tool & Cutter grinder
Burcas has recently invested in a New Schneeberger Norma 5-Axis CNC Tool & Cutter grinding machine. The machine...
Read More
Burcas lands Post award as business takes off
Black Country engineering firm Burcas - the winner of this month's Birmingham Post Business Award - is on the cusp of a handful...
Read More
Burcas Build a Wireless Bridge!
As Burcas' premises expanded naturally the computer network needed to also. A problem for Burcas as the range of conventional...
Read More
Burcas Boosts Grinding Capacity with Kellenberger Machine
Midlands-based precision engineering specialist, Burcas, has recently invested in a CNC-controlled Hardinge Kellenberger...
Read More
Burcas Invests in Aerospace Training
Specialist aerospace component machinist, Burcas, is investing in staff training - nearly 50 employees have already achieved...
Read More
BESPOKE CUTTING KNIFE KEEPS WATKISS AT CUTTING EDGE
A special paper trimming knife developed and manufactured by Burcas is helping print finishing equipment producer, Watkiss...
Read More
A&M EDM Gains Aerospace Accreditation through Supply Chain
Specialist Birmingham wire and spark erosion company A&M EDM has gained the coveted aerospace AS/EN9100 approval as a...
Read More
UK FIRM BOOSTS SUPPLY CHAIN TO REAP INTERNATIONAL REWARDS
Aerospace makes tough demands of its supply chain, from the multi-national Tier 1s to the SMEs that provide the subcontract...
Read More
BURCAS AT FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL 2006
Burcas are exhibiting at FI 2006, on stand C11 in Hall1, along with the Midlands Aerospace Alliance. Come and visit us, where...
Read More
BURCAS BOOSTS PRODUCTIVITY WITH NEW FARO MEASURING ARM
Midlands-based precision engineering specialist, Burcas, has recently invested in a FARO portable measuring device. The new...
Read More
CHANGE PROCESS HELPS BURCAS REACH NEW HEIGHTS
The aerospace industry is one of the world's most demanding manufacturing environments, so when precision engineers Burcas...
Read More
BURCAS COMPLETES KNIFE RANGE WITH KIMURA STEEL KNIVES
Burcas has been appointed UK agent for Kimura steel paper-cutting knives which are available from stock held at the company's...
Read More
BURCAS WINS JAPANESE AEROSPACE ORDER
Specialist precision engineering manufacturer and subcontractor, Burcas, based in Birmingham, is celebrating winning an order...
Read More
AS EN 9100 - Quality Approved
The Burcas Team have today (20th December 2005) been audited by BSi, and shall now be recommended for the approval to AS...
Read More
BURCAS BOOSTS TURNING CAPACITY FOR AEROSPACE
Specialist precision engineering manufacturer and subcontractor, Burcas, is upgrading its extensive turning capabilities...
Read More
BURCAS INVESTS IN HIGH ACCURACY PRECISION FORMING GRINDER
Growth in the high precision tooling and aerospace divisions of specialist precision engineering subcontractor Burcas has...
Read More