Barnstaple, North Devon-based Atlantic Formes prides itself on a reputation based on 25 years of experience in the trade, and sound relationships forged with its customer base.
The company produce cutting formes for many different types of cutting and creasing machines, from high-speed rotary die-cutters, flatbed die-cutters, hand fed platens to single-shot Rollerpress for die-cut point-of-sale products. Atlantic are experts in corrugated conversion tooling and manufacture and supply tooling for the solid carton board business sector.
Working in partnership with C&T Matrix, Atlantic has recently made a strategic investment in the latest rubber-cutting technology, complimented by a powerful CAD design system. This new asset has allowed Atlantic to better service the growing needs of its wide customer base across the UK.
Nick Welland, Managing Director, Atlantic Formes, wanted to invest in the latest rubber-cutting technology to enable them to cut rubbers for both corrugated and solid board tooling. Welland had been looking at the CLEARTECH XPRO OC1311 machine, which covers all application areas in just one machine (pen plotting for layouts and make-ready sheets, sample making and rubber cutting). However, Atlantic wanted to focus on progressing the cutting of its Sprintcell rubber (known as Crystal Face) supplied by C&T, using customisable sheet sizes.
Welland explains, “We wanted a bespoke machine that would be suitable for our current and future needs. Working with C&T we commissioned the CLEARTECH XPRO 0505 cutting machine, which was made to our exact specification.”
From initial discussion to full installation, the whole process took 10 weeks. C&T, in conjunction with the Clear Tech, helped with the installation and gave training and support over a three day period. The machine even came supplied with spare cutting mats and oscillating knives.
Welland explains, “It allows us to cut 6mm to 16 mm rubber heights, of all types, from Sprintcell, Vulkollan to SpeedX. We also took this opportunity to upgrade our CADCAM systems. This upgrade was supported and assisted by C&T who advised us how to go about this process to make sure we had the latest rubber and nesting programming. We have been working with C&T for many years and will continue to work in partnership to help us innovate our business and better service and support our own customers. This ‘made to measure’ machine has been the perfect solution for Atlantic in terms of exactly what we wanted and the space we had to accommodate it.”