Collators Versatility Required
In-plants produce a diversified range of products. Their collators must be just as versatile.
By Kristen E. Monte
FLEXIBILITY, VERSATILITY and productivity are three key qualities in-plant managers look for when choosing a collating system, says A.B.Dick's Dennis James. More specifically, he adds, in-plants look for equipment that can handle a variety of paper stocks without taking up a lot of floor space.
In-plants today produce a diversified range of products, adds Ron Bowman, vice president of sales for Rosback Co.
"Many of the items [in-plants] wish to collate...are varied and come in all sizes, shapes and weights," says Bowman. "They require a heavy-duty, versatile collator to collect these varied materials for the next step."
Since in-plants must be able to collate a variety of products with ease, collators are becoming increasingly automated.
"A collating system is a key element of an in-plant bindery because so many different types of jobs typically flow through it," says Don Dubuque, marketing manager at Standard Finishing Systems. "In-plants recognize the benefit of investing in equipment that offers automation benefits today, but will also be ready to be integrated into a comprehensive JDF workflow when they are ready."
Here is a look at the latest offerings from some of the top collator vendors in the industry.
Friction or Suction
The A.B.Dick Watkiss Vario modular collating system offers friction or suction feed options along with three different feeding systems to mix and match bin types. Productivity of the unit is furthered with flexible bin linking, multi-set programming, batch insertion and preset memory functions. The Vario has a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that provides control over stitching, folding and trimming functions. Accessories include online stitching, folding, trimming and an inline SpineMaster unit that squares the spine of the booklets to emulate perfect binding.
www.abdick.com
New to U.S. Market
Soon to be introduced in the U.S., the Italian Collator 6000, from American Binding, produces 8,000 books per hour. It can come with a maximum of 36 stations and it is available in the following three versions: 12.6x13.8˝, 12.6x17.7˝ and 12.6x21.7˝. Its spheral bearings allow its mechanical parts to last longer, its tilted loading plates and special bellow nozzles accommodate light paper or plastic sheets and it is connectible with other binding equipment.
www.americanbindingco.com
Sixty-bin Maximum Capacity
The C.P. Bourg suction tower dual output BST 10-n collating system operates with a user-friendly touch screen graphical interface to split system output. The two 10-bin tower system with a 2˝ bin capacity offers a 60-bin maximum capacity, and produces 4,200 sets per hour. The BST 10-n features automatic paper feeding, a maximum 250 gsm paper stock weight and a maximum paper size of 20x133⁄4˝. The system can produce saddle-stitched, folded and trimmed booklets and straight stacked sets of NCR paper or separated sets for perfect binding, simultaneously.
www.cpbourg.com
Loads Sheets While Collating
The Duplo DFC-12/24 vertical collator is available in 12- or 24-bin configurations, with a 1.1˝ bin capacity and bi-directional friction feeding. The DFC-12/24 produces 3,900 sets per hour, with a maximum page size of 12.6x17.72˝ and 15 lbs. to 80 lbs. cover paper stock range. Connectable with the DBM-120 bookletmaker, it features job programming, adjustable speeds, missing/double sheet and jam detection, mixed paper stock in the same run and it allows the user to load paper while the machine is collating.
www.duplousa.com
The Duplo DFC-12/24 vertical collator, shown with two towers, produces 3,900 sets per hour.
Up To 50 Stations
The Col-Tec vacuum-feed horizontal collator, from Rosback Co., runs 3,500 cycles per hour, features continuous loading and a missing/double sheet detection system and has a five- to 50-station capacity. Options include stitch/fold, three-knife trim, gluing, self-setting detectors, computer programming, deep pile feeding, jogger and high-speed units for paper in all weights and sizes.
www.rosbackcompany.com
Rotary-pulse Vacuum Feeding
Standard Finishing Systems' Standard Horizon VAC-60 deep-pile collator uses a rotary-pulse vacuum-feeding system and can memorize up to nine jobs. It has 5˝ of bin capacity and up to six VAC-60 towers can be combined to create six-, 12-, 18-, 24-, 30- or 36-station systems, with each VAC-60 tower running full speed in either direction. The VAC-60 can integrate with various workflows for automated CIP4/JDF-enabled bindery and finishing options.
www.standardfinishing.com
Streamline Your Collating
Streamfeeder's StreamNet collating system collates 120 pieces per minute and features a low profile, lightweight control box for easy and simple integration. The StreamNet system creates completed sets by triggering feeders in ascending sequential order and terminating feeder triggers in ascending sequential order. Features include an audible alarm, remote pause/resume stations, host system I/O interface and a 300 conveyor index control with interface.
www.streamfeeder.com
Handles Variety of Sheet Sizes
The Vijuk Setmaster collator system handles sheet sizes from 5.5x4˝to 27.83x39.37˝and thicknesses from a 13 lb. book to 600 lb. tag. The Setmaster is capable of collating stock from NCR paper to heavy chip boards, and double/missing sheet detection is standard. It can be equipped with any number of stations, and each feeding station has an adjustable head. Options include a stitch/fold/trim unit for booklet making, a duplex system for double production of small items and computerized operation.
www.vijukequip.com
