Me & My: Sakurai Maestro MF80VII
“We have become a Sakurai loyalist for the automation, precision and quality offered,” says Sujan Nailady of the Bengaluru-based Image Labels.
20 Feb 2018 | By Priya Raju
Me & My: Sakurai Maestro MF80VII
Describe your company
Established in the year 1996, Bengaluru-based Image Labels is a manufacturer of self-adhesive and in-mould labels for industries like electronics, electrical and automobiles. The firm offers in-house design, pre-press to the final products for its client which include L&T, Pricol, HP, Wipro, Apollo Tyres, GE, Godrej and TVS.
When did you invest in the Sakurai machine?
We invested in the Sakurai Maestro MF80VII machine more than a year ago. The machine is a flatbed automatic screen printing machine for high-end as well as precision industrial applications.
What does the machine do?
The flatbed automatic press is designed for fine line printing applications. We use the machine for jobs which require high precision and accurate printing like membrane overlays and fascia panel printing for the electrical and electronics industries.
Why did you choose this particular machine?
We invested in our first Sakurai machine in 2005 and since then we have been a Sakurai loyalist. Today, all the six machines deployed on our shopfloor is a Sakurai. We have been very comfortable using the machine and were satisfied with the performance and the quality of the output produced by the machine. Plus the Maestro MF80VII was an apt choice for us to cater to the electrical and electronics applications that we were looking for.
Did you look at any other similar machine?
There are few German, Taiwan-make machines available in the market, but we have not explored them. We are satisfied with Sakurai’s performance and the first machine that we invested in 2005 is still as good as a new one.
What features of the machine do you particularly like?
The ability of the machine to print fine lines with precision, which is a critical aspect for printing membranes and overlays, has impressed me. This has resulted in reduction of print rejections.
Is there anything you wish it had that it doesn’t?
Not really. Each machine that we have invested in comes with its unique benefits and applications.
How fast is it?
The maximum printing speed is up to 1,000 impressions per hour, but the speed of the machine totally depends on the substrates and applications it is being used for. For POP applications, the machine can be run at high speed, but for jobs which require accuracy like decals and printed electronics, the speed may vary.
How much time or money has it saved?
The automation of the machine helps reduce the time taken for a job to be produced and saves a lot of time. Plus this has reduced the use of manpower and helped decrease the rejections in print. All this has resulted in a lot of indirect cost savings.
Would you say that it offers value for money?
I would say it is the best machine for the kind of jobs produced by us. The screen printing machines from Sakurai are a workhorse, and we are still happily using the first machine which was installed 14 years ago. Hence it definitely offers a return on investment.
What about the pre- and after-sales service?
The pre- and after-sales service have always been smooth. The service engineers from Kunal Enterprise are just a call away and they ensure timely service. Having said that, there haven’t been any major breakdowns yet.
Who do you think is the machine right for?
The Maestro MF80VII is great for someone who creates niche applications which requires precision printing.
Under what circumstances would you invest in another such machine?
It depends on the future growth. We will invest if there is an increase in volumes. And if we invest in the future, it will definitely be in a Sakurai machine.
Conclusion
User’s verdict
Speed *****
Quality *****
Reliability ****
Value for money ****
Suppliers Response
Ajay Gandhi, president, Kunal Enterprise, says, “The team at Image Labels, have been using the machines from Sakurai for more than a decade. Currently, the firm has six Sakurai machines including flatbed and cylinder presses which speak volumes about the built quality and niche output that the machines are built for. Its niche applications are successfully delivered by a fleet of Sakurai machines on their shopfloor while maintaining rigorous standards of precision and quality.
Contact Ajay Gandhi
+91 9820220063 / ajaygandhi@kunalenterprise.com
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