Crabtree supports Metal Crowns with bespoke metal decorating technology
British metal decorating and coating equipment manufacturer, Crabtree, has designed, supplied and installed a bespoke metal decorating machine for Kenya-based Metal Crowns.
Metals and plastics packaging company Metal Crowns, which is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, commissioned Crabtree to provide a bespoke machine that would enable it to improve time efficiency, reduce labour costs and increase output, all while maintaining quality in its metal decorating operations.
Crabtree’s consulting engineers and design team worked closely with Metal Crowns to create a solution that was in line with its end-product requirements, formats and infrastructure. Metal Crowns was also able to select which machine functions to automate based on its specific requirements.
Crabtree developed a user-friendly hybrid machine, in both cure and automated operation. A 3-colour FastReady press was commissioned with conventional and UV cure, along with an inline varnish and coating unit. From an operational perspective, several CNC functions were removed that would not be required by Metal Crowns during operation.
The new machine was able to demonstrate an actual production speed of 6,000 sheets per hour and a reduction in time taken to set the machine at changeover.
Michael Hart, general manager printing, Metal Crowns said: “We are delighted with the level of service and attention to detail provided by the Crabtree team. I’m hugely satisfied with the company’s ability to really listen to what we need and to design a solution that meets our requirements.
“For us, efficiency is the number one priority, so we asked Crabtree to provide a machine that could deliver certain efficiencies in speed, accuracy and shorten the time to set the designs – this is exactly what they have delivered.
“We have worked on a number of successful projects with Crabtree and as such they have been a preferred supplier of ours for the last 30 years. This is largely down to the quality and reliability of their product and the great relationship we have developed with them.”
Alan Rutter, senior director, Crabtree said: “It has been great working with Metal Crowns to develop their capability. In particular, liaising directly with Michael to specify a machine that ticks all the boxes.”
