Autoprint Reckoner VDP65

Coimbatore-based Autoprint, the manufacturer of press and post-press equipment which has 9,126 installations in the last two decades seems bullish about its VDP machine, the Autoprint Reckoner VDP 65, which was launched in January 2009.

Autoprint has a range of offset printing and post-printing machines at its Coimbatore factory that churns out one new product every year. Autoprint has an installation base of over 9,000 machines – at least one installation in every district of India and exports to over 52 countries across five continents. It has a nationwide dealer network and a worldwide support network with over 160 sales and service personnel supporting the customers. It is also a prestigious ISO 9001-2008 certified company with TUV Suddeuschland for its design, production and marketing of the entire product range.

Technology challenge
Autoprint Reckoner VDP 65 prints variable data like 1D barcodes, 2D barcodes, variable addresses from a spread sheet and numbers on each sheet through inkjet technology.
Reckoner is equipped with superior capacity to print variable numbering, barcode, mail address, logos and other many personalised details with the same print head. The gap between sheets can be controlled using the servo motor which enhances productivity up to 20% which is unique to their design.

The Reckoner VDP 65 offers flexibility to choose any font, size and style, number of digits, skips and repeats at the maximum speed of 6000 sheets an hour. The VDP equipment is equipped with automatic feeder, ultrasonic double sheet detector (unique to Autoprint), side lay registration, on-line vertical perforation, creasing attachment, automatic receding pile delivery stacker to enhance productivity and minimum setting time.

B Vijaykumar, senior officer, marketing support, shares his views on savings using VDP. He  says, “It uses computer data and prints with inkjet, eliminates the need of inventory on different types of mechanical numbering boxes. Thus it is a saving in production cost.”

“Alternatives are available in the market and these equipments are being operated by either hand numbering or by mechanical numbers on platen machines. These kinds of machines are less productive and involve complicated setup and inventory.”

He adds, “The quality of production on Reckoner is unmatched with these features. Our customers have found Reckoner as a reliable machine in their round-the-clock operations,” shares Vijaykumar
The Reckoner VDP machine is equipped with features including numbering of sizes and fonts, jump / skip numbering, 1D and 2D Barcode, variable address from spreadsheet, random numbering, security features like invisible ink by using inkjet technology.

The Government of Gujarat and Kerala had installed four and seven VDP kit respectively in their states, Madurai-based Classic Printers, Kerala-based San Georgia, New Delhi-based Seshasai Business Forms, New Delhi and Hyderabad-based Shrenidhi Secure Prints are some of the customers of Autoprint who are using this machine.

Reckoner VDP 65 was initially launched for commercial applications which require very few variable data on a sheet. Vijaykumar says, “We had a customer's request who wanted to print 200 variable data on an A3 sheet. This we took as a challenge and proved the application's versatility within 20 hours. The machine is running successfully in Sri Lanka – and is deployed for Airtel recharge cards. After this installation, we have successfully implemented it in many countries like Zimbabwe, Nigeria and others. Earlier such application machine cost around one crore Indian rupees. We have replaced that with a machine that is less than 50% of that cost.”

Vijaykumar speaks on its usability, “It’s a simple machine combined with single sheet feeding and computer technology. Even a semi-skilled operator can learn it within a month. We give one week training for the customer’s operator at our factory on free of cost. Apart from this we also give onsite training for one more week. We give one year warranty for spares and service warranty for six months service support through our call centre / CRM.”

Autoprint is into variable data imaging and verification now and are eyeing the packaging market and want to consolidate its position in these sectors.

Established in 1992, Autoprint, a ISO 9001:2002 certified company has achieved 10,000 installations. It has emerged as a market leader in offset print and allied machinery.