At Graph Expo, in-plants had plenty of folding and scoring machines to choose from.

By Bob Neubauer

THE LATEST folding technologies were on display at Graph Expo. For those who couldn’t make it to Chicago, IPG has collected a sample of products that were featured at the show.

B&R Moll showed its Regal folder/gluer system. It includes a primary pocket folder/gluer unit and a complementary folding unit that glues, forms pockets and can change product directions for secondary operations. Also shown was the Standard 2000 folder/gluer. It has a makeready feature for easy setups. All settings are in inches. It comes with a roll up standard stacker.

Challenge Machinery displayed its Medalist 870 folder, which provides floor-model features in a table-model size. It folds up to 30,000 sheets per hour (sph) of 81/2x11? stock, and handles sheets up to 14x20?. Features include air separation, vacuum feed, adjustable metallic sheet separator, flip-up swing deflector, combination rubber/steel rollers, adjustable roller calipers, parallel paper path, top-mounted control panel with built-in sheet counter, 7/8? slitter shafts, delivery area jam detector system and noise hood.

Duplo showed its DF-1000 air-suction folder. Its suction technology helps ensure that digital color pages are not marked or scratched, and that static does not build up during the finishing process. Able to handle bond stocks and art/coated paper to a maximum weight of 200 gsm, the DF-1000 can fold and batch up to 240 sheets per minute (spm). Operated by an LCD panel, the system requires no special training. Duplo also showed the DF-920 automatic tabletop folder, with sound absorbers. It can fold 280 spm thanks to a feed system that ensures reliable feeding for a range of paper sizes, weights and stocks. It automatically recognizes five popular paper sizes.

In the massive Heidelberg booth, a USA B 20 folding machine was running with a flat pile feeder. Designed to accommodate short runs and quick makereadies, this folder is especially suitable for frequent job changes in the small- and medium-format ranges. It features a high-speed valve for accurate suction control, a long sheet aligning table and positive helical gear drive for fold rollers. Traction on the folded sheets is improved due to the compressibility of the soft-polyurethane folding rollers. The pile feeder has automatic pile height compensation. The DCT 500 control system, centrally located at the register table, features makeready functions that include self-learning modes and direct-access buttons.

New from Hasler was the M8600 tabletop folder/inserter. It enables mail houses to boost productivity by automating high-volume mailings. It can process 4,300 envelopes per hour, with inserts as small as 31/2x5? to full sheets up to 14? in length. Power

1 2 3 4 5 All

0 Comments

View Comments

Bob Neubauer Author's page

Bob has served as editor of In-plant Impressions since October of 1994. Prior to that he served for three years as managing editor of Printing Impressions, a commercial printing publication. Mr. Neubauer is very active in the U.S. in-plant industry. He attends all the major in-plant conferences and has visited more than 180 in-plant operations around the world. He has given presentations to numerous in-plant groups in the U.S., Canada and Australia, including the Association of College and University Printers and the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association. He also coordinates the annual In-Print contest, co-sponsored by IPMA and In-plant Impressions.

Folders Aplenty at Graph Expo