CWT Flexa easy lite laminator

[JBurton]

Looking at a discounted laminator from CWT, wondering if anyone has any experience with this one in particular. I'm coming from a manual raise/lower gfp that is starting to get wore out, but it's definitely functional, and while I've been holding out for a kala mistral, that price tag is pretty steep.

 

[Evan Gillette]

Grimco had two new "house brand" laminators at the ISA show. They are Chinese imports that according to the sales guy are intended to be budget replacements for the most popular Kala and GFP machines they sell. They are both tefu/lefu/mefu made. Kala lookalike was $10k and GFP copy was $5k show pricing. You could also order from Alibaba like Victor did in another thread. It doesn't look like Grimco has them on their site but I have pictures if interested. CWT rebrands Chinese equipment like most others, their apex finishing tables are the same as "IECHO" maybe this laminator is the same?

This is the "kala knockoff" that grimco is selling for $10k aka 1700-D2

Lf1700-d2 Laminating Machines Automatic Laminator For Film Lamination - Buy Laminating Machines automatic Laminator film Lamination Product on Alibaba.com

Lf1700-d2 Laminating Machines Automatic Laminator For Film Lamination - Buy Laminating Machines automatic Laminator film Lamination Product on Alibaba.com

www.alibaba.com

This is the what colex is selling for theirs, I believe pricing is roughly $7k aka 1700D1

Lefu Lf1700-d1 High Speed Automatic Hot And Cold Laminating Machine,Roll To Roll Laminator - Buy Cold Laminating Machine roll To Roll Laminator hot And Cold Laminator Product on Alibaba.com

Lefu Lf1700-d1 High Speed Automatic Hot And Cold Laminating Machine,Roll To Roll Laminator - Buy Cold Laminating Machine roll To Roll Laminator hot And Cold Laminator Product on Alibaba.com

www.alibaba.com

The cheapest one from Grimco is maybe an older model or version, it has more of a squared off look and might be the 1700d4 but I would have to look at pictures more.

Just some food for thought...

 

[Evan Gillette]

Oh yeah that CWT is totally a 1700-d3

https://cutworxusa.com/collections/laminators/products/express-heat-assisted-laminator-html?variant=44579769844032

120cm Silicon Roller 1600mm 63 Inches Wide Format Roll To Roll Laminator Full Automatic Lamination Machine Lf1700-d4 - Buy 1600mm 63 Inches Wide Format Roll To Roll Laminator 63 Inches Wide Format Roll To Roll Full Automatic Lamination Machine automa

120cm Silicon Roller 1600mm 63 Inches Wide Format Roll To Roll Laminator Full Automatic Lamination Machine Lf1700-d4 - Buy 1600mm 63 Inches Wide Format Roll To Roll Laminator 63 Inches Wide Format Roll To Roll Full Automatic Lamination Machine automatic Lamination Machine Lf1700-d4 Product on...

www.alibaba.com

 

[Evan Gillette]

Lots of different flavors/labels but you get the idea.

Fayon 1600da 160cm Automatic High Speed Cold Laminator Roll Laminator Cold Laminating Machine - Buy 1600mm Clod Laminating Machine roll To Roll Laminating Machine poster Graphic Laminating Machine Product on Alibaba.com

Fayon 1600da 160cm Automatic High Speed Cold Laminator Roll Laminator Cold Laminating Machine - Buy 1600mm Clod Laminating Machine roll To Roll Laminating Machine poster Graphic Laminating Machine Product on Alibaba.com

www.alibaba.com

 

[SignsInnovator]

Looking at a discounted laminator from CWT, wondering if anyone has any experience with this one in particular. I'm coming from a manual raise/lower gfp that is starting to get wore out, but it's definitely functional, and while I've been holding out for a kala mistral, that price tag is pretty steep.

Hey J, I’m with CWT USA and we actually have that model in stock right now. If you’re open to it, feel free to DM me your email and I’d be happy to send over more info and pricing. We’re running a strong promotion on it at the moment, so it might be worth a look before you decide.

 

[SignsInnovator]

Grimco had two new "house brand" laminators at the ISA show. They are Chinese imports that according to the sales guy are intended to be budget replacements for the most popular Kala and GFP machines they sell. They are both tefu/lefu/mefu made. Kala lookalike was $10k and GFP copy was $5k show pricing. You could also order from Alibaba like Victor did in another thread. It doesn't look like Grimco has them on their site but I have pictures if interested. CWT rebrands Chinese equipment like most others, their apex finishing tables are the same as "IECHO" maybe this laminator is the same?

This is the "kala knockoff" that grimco is selling for $10k aka 1700-D2

Lf1700-d2 Laminating Machines Automatic Laminator For Film Lamination - Buy Laminating Machines automatic Laminator film Lamination Product on Alibaba.com

Lf1700-d2 Laminating Machines Automatic Laminator For Film Lamination - Buy Laminating Machines automatic Laminator film Lamination Product on Alibaba.com

www.alibaba.com

This is the what colex is selling for theirs, I believe pricing is roughly $7k aka 1700D1

Lefu Lf1700-d1 High Speed Automatic Hot And Cold Laminating Machine,Roll To Roll Laminator - Buy Cold Laminating Machine roll To Roll Laminator hot And Cold Laminator Product on Alibaba.com

Lefu Lf1700-d1 High Speed Automatic Hot And Cold Laminating Machine,Roll To Roll Laminator - Buy Cold Laminating Machine roll To Roll Laminator hot And Cold Laminator Product on Alibaba.com

www.alibaba.com

The cheapest one from Grimco is maybe an older model or version, it has more of a squared off look and might be the 1700d4 but I would have to look at pictures more.

Just some food for thought...

Appreciate your input, and you're right that many laminators on the market have Chinese origins. That said, I wanted to provide a bit more context on how Cutworx (CWT) laminator you're referring to stands apart from machines you'd find on Alibaba or even some private-label options out there.

All Cutworx (CWT) laminator models are brought into Flexa in Italy before coming to the U.S., where it goes through a full upgrade and quality control process to meet U.S. production standards. Here’s what’s done to each unit:

1. Electrical system upgraded to CE standards
2. Dual photocell safety system installed
3. Armored heating element added
4. Clutches and brakes replaced with high-performance components
5. Springs for both rollers and clutches upgraded
6. Rollers precisely aligned
7. Pneumatic lift and pressure adjustment added
8. Temperature controls calibrated and verified
9. Final testing done using real material for full function check

On top of that, Cutworx (CWT) provides full U.S. based support and each machine comes with a 1-year parts warranty. That level of support and peace of mind isn’t typically available when buying direct overseas.

Happy to answer any other questions or provide more details if needed.

 

[Evan Gillette]

Thanks for the info! That's exactly why I haven't made a direct purchase myself. I prefer to have a US company for support and distribution.

Most companies won't take the time to explain what they have or have not done, so you are a step ahead of anyone else. Some of them won't even admit they aren't manufacturing the machines...

Do you care to share the special you are running on your machines (assuming it isn't against forum rules or your marketing agreements)?

 

[SignsInnovator]

Thanks for the info! That's exactly why I haven't made a direct purchase myself. I prefer to have a US company for support and distribution.

Most companies won't take the time to explain what they have or have not done, so you are a step ahead of anyone else. Some of them won't even admit they aren't manufacturing the machines...

Do you care to share the special you are running on your machines (assuming it isn't against forum rules or your marketing agreements)?

I just sent you a direct message with my contact info. Look forward to hearing from you.