The market for platen die-cutters and foil stampers has been steady, but it seems that some of the machines on offer are so good that one isn’t enough.

Sodhisons Mechanical Works has been manufacturing Crosograph hand-fed platen die-cutting and foil stamping machines since 1970. The machine is ideal for die-cutting, creasing, embossing and hot foil stamping.

The Crosograph range includes Crosograph 35, Crosograph 40 and Crosograph 45.

Depending on the range, the Crosograph machine is 5.5 tons to 15,000 tons of cast iron platen for cutting and creasing. Having said that most of the machines sold in India have heat controls so that they can apply foils as well.

Sodhisons Mechanical Works which was founded in 1947 has a manufacturing facility in Delhi and another one in Sonepat, Haryana.

With an installation base of more than 2,000 machines in the domestic and international market, it includes installations at International Print-o-Pac, P R Packaging, Compack Enterprises India, Replika Press, Kumar Printers, HBD Packaging and Galaxy Print Process.

Rakesh Sodhi, director at Sodhisons Mechanical Works, says: "We have always tried to give the best to the print industry. This is one of the most preferred die-cutter and foil stamping machines both in the domestic and the international market."  

Capability and speed
The Crosograph is capable of handling paper and board stocks from 80gsm up to 1,800gsm and corrugated card up to 5mm thick. Depending on the version, the working speed of the Crosograph varies.

Higher the version, lower is the speed. Its speed ranges from 1500-960 strokes per hour for die-cutting and 1,800 strokes per hour for foil blocking. Its size allows four-up – or greater – greetings cards, book covers or labels to run through the platen.

Safety
The Crosograph is equipped with safety features which are beneficial to an operator. The key features are: guard for flywheel and belts, stop bar for instant stopping, start and stop push buttons. Trip bar which is a safety device on the moving platen and wrap around safety guard which is a trip guard on the fixed platen.

Sodhi says: "For us, the safety of the operator is of prime importance. The machine is equipped with safety features which make it more popular. There is a comfort level for an operator, who can manage controls and speed. Furthermore it appeals to those who don’t want to run die-cutting jobs on an industrial scale."

Robust construction
The Crosograph is robustly built and lasts for longer than Sodhisons has been selling them. However, Sodhi advises that they are still available secondhand. In fact, they are often snapped up by existing Crosograph users, who want a second machine because of the ease of use, quick set-up and flexibility. Most definitely a company to watch out for.

Specifications

Crosograph 30, 40, 45 Moving platen size (mm) 630 x 880, 760 x 1010, 880 x 1140 Inside chase dimension (mm) 550 x 810, 630 x 930, 810 x 1060 Impression per hour 1400, 1400, 1200 Power consumption (HP) 3, 5, 7.5 Pressing capacity 180, 200 and 260 metric tons Weight (kgs) 3200, 4500, 5500