DS Smith's investment in the Highcon Beam 3 machine at Neuville-aux-Bois amounts to between 2 and 3 million euros. This sum reflects the importance of laser technology in the company's strategy to modernize its production facilities while meeting new market requirements. This investment not only enhances the plant's responsiveness, but also reduces the cost of tooling and the time required to manufacture traditional die-cutting plates, giving the company a competitive edge in the production of personalized packaging.
The Highcon Beam 3 enables digital cutting of folding cartons and micro-flutes. It brings finesse to carton cutting, opening up creative opportunities never before seen in the packaging industry. Thanks to its three laser heads, the machine is capable of producing complex patterns with millimeter precision, making it possible to create custom shapes for promotions, such as vine leaves for wine boxes or even reproductions of the Eiffel Tower. This enables manufacturers to offer more attractive packaging, capable of standing out on the shelf.
Another key advantage of the Highcon Beam 3 is its ability to eliminate the need for traditional cutting plates. The machine can be set up in just ten minutes, thanks to a simple computer file. Compared to the several days needed to manufacture conventional cutting plates, this time saving is significant. It enables the factory to respond more rapidly to small and medium-sized production runs, particularly useful in a context of rapidly changing consumer trends.
In a market where personalization and small production runs are becoming increasingly important, this technology enables DS Smith to offer services tailored to the needs of customers wishing to produce smaller volumes. With a cutting capacity of 2,000 sheets per hour, compared with 8,000 for a traditional press, and with no loss of material, the machine responds effectively to these requirements, while offering increased flexibility.
