Kale Print purchases second D&K Neptune laminator from Graph-Pak

Kale Print recently installed a D&K Neptune B3 fully automated laminator, supplied through Graph-Pak.

Kale Print production manager Brent Kale said, “We already have a D&K Neptune laminator, the larger one, which we bought a few years ago through Graph-Pak. What we needed was a laminator that could handle our digital work, which is increasing. We have always completed a lot of digital work; it is one of our busy departments.

“We looked around at quite a few machines. We chose the D&K Neptune for several reasons. First, it offers ease of operation and it is user friendly. Second, it is a robust, solid machine that can take a lot of work. It runs every day. Also, it runs a wide range of stock weights and types and is an all-round reliable machine.”

Automation key for B3

The D&K Neptune B3 laminator fills a need in the sector where automation continues as a matter of necessity.

Graph-Pak managing director Tom Ralph said, “The digital market continues to grow and it was inevitable that D&K Neptune would launch a B3 model, especially a fully automated SRA3/B3 model where finishing shops just can’t achieve these results with hand feeding.

“With a compact footprint of less than 2m x 1m, the D&K Neptune B3 laminator takes up not much more space than hand-fed models, and it weighs in at around 350kg. It has a deep pile feeder and will run stock weights of 115gsm to 350gsm at speeds of up to 15 metres per minute meaning that it will laminate 2,000 SRA3 sheets per hour. It also has an easy to operate touch screen control panel.

“The D&K Neptune is a solid and reliable machine. We like that it is easy to use and it can also do a longer sheet. It also gives us a sleeking foil adaption.

“It is a big benefit to complete this work in house. With the shorter runs and quick turnarounds that the market demands, you don’t want to be outsourcing this kind of work.

“Since we bought the first laminator, we have enjoyed an excellent relationship with Graph-Pak and, despite having the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic, we were able to install the new machine with no hassles. Tom Ralph is a great guy, really easy going and Graph-Pak is a good operator, quite efficient.”

With digital run lengths ranging from one to thousands, fully automated finishing has become more widespread. Manual feeding simply can’t keep pace with the demand from digital presses.

“D&K Neptune has answered the market’s need for an affordable compact and fully automated laminator. With this solution, print companies can stay ahead of the trend for higher volume digital production.” Ralph added.

He lists the D&K Neptune B3 Laminator’s features:

  • Compact footprint of less than 2m x 1m
  • Deep pile feeder runs stock weights of 115 gsm to 350 gsm at speeds of up to 15 metres a minute
  • Touch screen operation
  • Easy installation
  • Maximum laminating width of 370mm
  • PLC controlled
  • Compact footprint
  • Equally adept at running litho or digital output
  • Heated Chrome top roller
  • Pneumatically controlled Rubber nip roller
  • Decurl bar that you can adjust on the run
  • Burster type sheet separator
  • Extended feed table options – 66, 74, and 88cm
  • Optional rewind unit for foiling
  • Graph-Pak service and support

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