Page 31 - PWM2025_SEPTEMBER EBOOK

PRODUCT PORTFOLIO

Star product
BlueCrest Evolution

Suited to both transactional and direct mail, says Simon Eccles

and increase production capacity,” says
Jefferies. “In addition, Evolution runs a file-
based processing system to help achieve the
highest mail piece integrity in the industry.
Such automation is typically associated
with higher-end, higher-cost systems.”
The line is automated from input to out-
put, accepting roll-fed or cut-sheet pages
(single or dual) and ending with sealed
envelopes. Many adjustments that used to
take time manually are automated through
job setup from the operator screen. Setups
are repeatable for regular or repeat work.
However, the setup of insert and envelope
feeder side guides remain manual to
accommodate the size and thickness varia-
tions that come with paper stock changes.
Software options include on-board sys-
What does it do? BlueCrest says: “A flexible, multi-format tem diagnostics; the ability to integrate and
Specifications
Evolution is a multi-format mail inserter inserter, the Evolution is ideal for both mid- monitor systems across multiple locations,
for mid-level volume mailers from US man- Speeds:12,000 and high-volume mailers who run high manifesting and postage accounting solu-
ufacturer BlueCrest. It is suited to both cycles per hour for page-count jobs, short-run jobs, or need tions; end-to-end tracking; automated re-
transactional and direct mail operations, tri-fold letters; extra capacity during peak times, without prints; predictive analytics and
with automation allowing “quick and easy” 10,000cph for half- sacrificing accuracy or integrity. The built- maintenance tools. There’s a choice of
switching from one application to the fold; 8,000cph for in automation and compact work cell make
other, BlueCrest says. BlueCrest was spun flats it easy to operate, even for less experienced three optional inline printing systems.
off from Pitney Bowes in July 2018 to con- operators.” Print+ Messenger is an inline inkjet for
centrate on ‘industrial’ mailing lines and Feeders: Up to 18, How does it work? plain white envelopes. It runs at 26,000
BCC mailing and sorting software, plus the friction and rotary, pieces per hour (pph), with full-colour,
with double-feed
rebadged HP PageWide inkjet web presses, detection David Jefferies, BlueCrest’s UK-based fully variable text and images, printed
that it calls IntelliJet, and the rebadged marketing director for EMEA, says: inline within the inserter work cell. The
Kyocera TaskAlfa Pro 15000 sheetfed inkjet Total pack thick- “Evolution brings high-end automation and
press called EvoluJet. ness: 13mm for tri- flexibility to a mid-range platform. The fast-drying dye ink doesn’t need a special
Evolution was developed inhouse by fold, half-fold or machine processes all European letter sizes drying unit.
BlueCrest, but uses some of the automation flats and uses BlueCrest’s Direct Connect oper- Print+ Response is an inline unit that
technology from high end mailing lines. It ating system running file-based processing prints monochrome or full-colour
sits in the middle of BlueCrest’s range of Price: From for full process integrity (reading technol- 600x600dpi images on plain envelopes or
mail inserting platforms, with EPIC above £250,000 ogy options include OMR, Barcode, 2D, inserts at speeds up to 22,000pph. Print+
and MSE, Rival and Velocity below in Contact: BlueCrest and OCR). Evolution is modular and
terms of features and functionality. www.bluecrestinc. expandable, and can be configured with Statement is a full inline document printer
for short-run jobs or reprints, running
When was it launched and what are com, info@ between three and 18 feeders.
A portrait to landscape module adds flats inline with the work cell. The BlueCrest
the target markets? bluecrestinc.com capability. Mail traying can be automated software handles the process of sending
The base model was launched in the US by an optional cobot arm called Ottomate reprints to the print unit. It’s a 1.5m long
in 2020 and has seen a few updates since to Trayer, which moves finished mail from the unit that prints 40-160 simplex or duplex
decrease setup times and occupy a smaller inserter into a mail tray and places it on a
footprint. It has only been sold in Europe conveyor. documents per minute. BlueCrest’s Output
comparatively recently – it supports US “Thanks to a simple, easy-to-use system Manager software handles colour manage-
and European letter formats. interface, mailers can reduce labour hours ment with ICC profiles.
The base model was launched in 2020 and has seen a few updates since to decrease setup times.

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