Two years ago, Mumbai-based distributor Advanced Graphic Systems entered the sample making segment with the launch of Aoke – Cut CNC flatbed cutting and creasing machines. Capable of cutting and creasing paper and paperboard, with additional routers the Aoke machines can also cut materials such as acrylics and aluminium boards.
AGS has developed a new application for the Aoke flatbed cutting machine to remove the upper layers of cut blankets with a half-cut for purposes of Spot UV and varnish applications. Vihans Duggar, senior manager for sales says, “Aoke machines are installed at various units for mock-ups and recently we developed a new application for cutting blankets. A blanket has many layers and Aoke can be used to remove the few layers from the front surface to make what is known as half-cut blankets for printing of Spot UV and varnish. Today most printers cut the blanket manually with blades which can be tedious and consumes around one hour in the process.”
“With Aoke machines, the cuts are precise, and since they consume 50% less time, lead to faster turnarounds. We did a market survey and found the demand for such machines to be high. However, cost acts as a deterrent. With the help of testing we confirmed that half cutting of the blanket can be executed on the sample cutting machine,” added Duggar.
Duggar confirmed several installations at commercial print and packaging units in the Mumbai region with Kalapi Printing press being the first to install the digitally driven Aoke sample maker. The machine is stable with a competitive price claimed to be one-third of the similar products in the market. Aoke has around 15,000 installations around the globe.
As a company, AGS is an expert in color matching and measurement solutions in India enjoying a strong partnership with global leaders in that domain. Solutions include densitometers, spectrodensitometers, plate readers, ink optimization and print standardization software, ink presetting and closed loop control software (CIP 3 connectivity), proofing and sample making or digital cutting and creasing machines. Apart from Aoke, at the December 2015 Pamex exhibition in Mumbai, AGS introduced a Print and PDF Inspection System for pharmaceutical packaging companies which compares and double checks with PDFs to ensure that correct and minute details are printed correctly on the packaging.
AGS has recently shifted to a new seven storey building in the Electronic Zone at Mahape in Navi Mumbai. The company’s sales and support team operating from the new and larger Navi Mumbai premises should ensure the continuous improvement that AGS offers to its new and existing customers. The expanded office in Mahape will be able provide even more support to the fast growing local industry.
