Bindery Big at Graph Expo 2010

Though inkjet presses may have stolen some of the thunder, new bindery equipment was everywhere at Graph Expo. The crowds were consistently large in the bindery booths, and vendors were very upbeat about the show.

Mark Hunt, director of marketing for Standard Finishing Systems, was excited about the array of new products that had Standard’s booth buzzing with activity. Much of the attention focused on the Standard Horizon CABS 6000 perfect binding system, which includes the MG-600 gatherer, SB-17 17-clamp perfect binder and HT-110 three-knife trimmer.

“Many printers are seeing their cash flow freed up, and their access to capital improved,” observed Hunt. “The industry is definitely seeing some pent-up demand.”

Coming off a very solid third quarter, Duplo USA was counting on Graph Expo to be a catalyst for success coming into the home stretch of 2010, reported Si Nguyen, marketing director. “We came into the show with very high expectations,” he said. “I’ve seen studies that say the bindery is high on peoples’ buying lists...I think we’ll see things turn around for everyone.”

Nguyen was particularly excited about Duplo’s DC-745 slitter/cutter/creaser, which will likely be integrated into Xerox’s color production presses. The model boasts faster processing speeds, quick and easy setup and changeovers, along with new cross- and micro-perforation options.

Good Attendance in a ‘Difficult Economy’

At the MBM booth, Mike Venitelli, senior vice president of sales and marketing, noted that the company’s new 1500S air suction tabletop folder, released in late summer, was receiving plenty of attention at Graph Expo.

“Attendance has been good for us; I definitely have no problem with it,” he noted. “It’s still a difficult economy, though. We’ve been told that the recession is over, but it still hasn’t trickled down to printers yet.”

With some of the incentives extended to vendors by the Graphic Arts Show Co. (GASC), Spiel Associates decided to roll out an oldie but a goodie—the Sterling S59 gatherer/collator. The S59 can collate up to 6,000 sets/hour, and handles NCR paper, greeting cards, index stock and stitched books, among others. President David Spiel said expectations were limited, but noted that activity is picking up on the East Coast and in the Midwest.

Muller Martini showcased a pair of newer products, the Orbit three-knife trimmer and the Primera 160 saddle stitcher. The Orbit boasts speeds up to 7,200 cycles/hour, while the Primera 160 is available in two versions: the C160 with partial automation and flexible expansion, and the automated E160 with flexible expansion.

Werner Naegli, president of Muller Martini USA, happily pointed out that through the second day of the show, the company was in negotiations to sell several pieces of equipment.

“People are coming in with a firm intent to buy,” he revealed. “I’m very encouraged compared to last year. It’s really positive news for us.”

Colter & Peterson rolled out its redesigned 54˝ Saber paper cutter with automatic knife adjustment and 15˝ color touchscreen. The show turned into a welcome relief for company president Bruce Peterson, who described Print 09 as “paralysis.”

“I’m pleased, pleasantly,” Peterson remarked. “The volume of viable leads is up from the Print show. I just have a sense that more people are willing to spend money now.”

Finishing Roundup

Elsewhere on the show floor:

• Baum showed its new Untrafold 714XA Autofold tabletop folder, which can take up to a 14x25.5˝ sheet. Its air/vacuum feed system handles sensitive imaged stocks to prevent marking. A feed table extension can handle longer sheets.

• MBO America showcased the palamides delta 703 delivery system, including a special offer through year’s end at a price of $90,000 with the trade-in of a palamides BA700. Similarly, the delta 703 can be bundled with the T800 Perfection folder for $250,000.

• MGI Digital Graphic Technology demonstrated its new air-fed Digital Finisher 360 inline laminator/cutter/creaser/scorer/slitter, now able to handle 40 ppm. It provides duplex lamination or multiple finishes (e.g. matte on one side, satin on the other). It can handle sheet widths up to 14.2˝ and lengths up to 29˝.

• The Neopost IS/IM6000 mailing system made its Graph Expo debut. The system includes the Neopost/Hasler iMeter postage meter and an Internet-connected smart device.

• Pitney Bowes showcased its Print + Messenger color inkjet system, which uses HP technology to provide full-color envelope-printing capabilities on high-speed inserting systems. It runs up to 20,000 mail pieces per hour.

• The Böwe Bell + Howell MAILStream Inveloper combines envelope manufacturing and mail piece assembly into a continuous workflow, freeing operations from traditional envelope manufacturing.

• Vijuk Equipment touted the upcoming release of its MV-11 outsert system. The newly designed machine will feature a third knife and capacity of 16 fold plates. It creates evenly sealed outserts with up to 170 panels.

• The Challenge CMT series of on-demand book trimmers was shown by The Challenge Machinery Co. Utilizing barcodes printed on the book block, job dimensions are sent to the trimmer for setup.

• The new MBM 5222 Digicut hydraulic cutter features a programmable backgauge module with a digital display capable of storing 99 programs with 99 steps each.

• Morgana Systems showed off its new Pro range of creasing machines, which includes the AutoCreaser Pro 33. It employs a creasing rule and matrix that eliminates tearing and cracking.

• Spiral Binding touted its Snake Skin Wire-O, which can be used in any automated spool wire machine. It offers increased productivity, eliminates waste caused by tangled wire, and reduces storage and handling costs.

• Among the products on display from Cosmo Films/GBC Commercial was an updated 6300 laminator, a mid-volume, single-sided system, re-engineered to include a Mabeg feed head with close manufacturing tolerances to enable precise paper pickup/transport.

• GBC also showed Plockmatic’s finishing line, which includes the new BM 2000S booklet maker with wire stitchers. It can produce 100,000 books per month.

• On display in Brandtjen & Kluge’s exhibit was the Kluge -MailFold automatic folding and gluing system. Included in the line: a MultiFeeder friction-fed tipping unit, along with inkjet controller, labeling and tabbing units from Buskro.