What Is The Biggest Press? We get this question all the time. Who do you know with a huge hand-fed clamshell type press and what’s the biggest size made for our short run, but enourmous jobs? There are quite a few companies that can print or otherwise process large formats but can’t get them into their diecutters. These runs are typically too big quantity wise to be successful with digitally cutting. Perfect for a clamshell press if you can find a big enough one.
Last year the answer to this question was easy as there are a few clamshells here in the US that measure in the 50" x 80" (1,270mm x 2,032mm) size range. A little while ago I attended an IADD chapter meeting at Thomson National Press Company here in New England and the question became much more pinpointed. Thanks again to both Thomson Press and to Sue Corcoran for all they did to set-up this great meeting! Someone asked the same question – what’s the biggest size you ever made? The answer, as of a recent delivery, is a monster machine sold to a company that uses it to kiss cut huge labels/banners that go on the sides of trucks. The size is 50" x 105" (1,270mm x 2,667mm) and the press develops a total pressure of 125 tons. In order to appreciate this size, not only do you have to have the right job, you have to stand in front of one while it’s running full blast (1,500 impressions per hour). Chuck St. Andre of Thomson says that he really enjoyed the process they went through with this biggest of it’s kind press. “When you stand in front of it, you get quite a nice breeze” says Chuck!
Here’s the next trick, find a company that will make a steel rule die for you in that size! Thanks again to Thomson for the great meeting and if you need to know who owns that press, I’m sure Chuck will be glad to pass on the name.
Please contact Cut Smart if you would like more information on this subject.
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