Bindery - Finishing

WHILE HARDWARE and software manufacturers have yet to devise a tonic that can cure the hung-over stitcher operator, many aspects of postpress efficiency have been adequately addressed...depending upon whom you ask. Some feel we have made leaps and bounds en route to shortening the after-press process; others believe we’re still being short changed. We’ve asked a group of industry experts their opinion on the progress made in automating postpress processes. Most agree that some areas have been bolstered, but they don’t agree on which areas. “I’d say binding, folding and stitching equipment have drastically improved to the point where we have eliminated a

HAUPPAUGE, NY—12/20/07—There is perhaps nothing more heartwarming than the smile on a child’s face after receiving a new toy for the holidays. Yet, for the more than 13 million U.S. children living in poverty, making the holiday season a happy one may require help from others. For the fourth straight year, Muller Martini Corp. of Hauppauge, Long Island teamed with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves to help make the holidays special for disadvantaged local children by gathering toys for donation. The effort was part of the annual Marine “Toys for Tots” Program, which through the gift of a shiny new toy provides happiness and

For years, MBO America has hosted an open house at its Westampton, N.J., facility. Recently, though, the company turned this event into a mini trade show by inviting more than 20 leading providers of digital printing, on-demand finishing, mailing and gluing solutions to show their wares as well. “We’re not Graph Expo, but we’re not just an open house any more,” observed Sharon McKenney, MBO marketing manager. Called “Innovation Days,” the three-day show hosted approximately 300 visitors from all over the country. Equipment focused on real-world transactional printing and finishing applications, personalization, on-demand book/brochure production and sophisticated mailing solutions. In several instances, exhibitors partnered to showcase

When Goss International Americas installed its SP-2500 saddle stitcher at a Banta facility in Minnesota, it crossed the line, according to Muller Martini. The technology used in that stitcher belongs to Muller Martini, the company contends. So Muller Martini filed a patent suit against both Goss International and Goss International Americas in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota in Minneapolis. It is seeking damages and injunctive relief to halt further infringement of its technology. Muller Martini, along with its sister company, Muller Martini Mailroom Systems, also filed a second suit against the Goss companies in the U.S. District Court for the District

AFTER YEARS of healthy investment in prepress and press, in-plants are finally taking notice that their bindery is inefficient, unproductive and poorly suited to the short-run requirements of today’s print market. At the same time, printers recognize that manufacturers are bringing labor-saving innovation to the bindery. Automation stands out as the most powerful theme, with stepper motor controls, touch-screen interfaces and integrated digital workflows that enable automated setups and changeovers. Also significant, in-line finishing is gaining favor for some work—especially digitally imaged output. Digital printing sparked a wave of in-line finishing several years back, with high-speed monochrome printers introducing a range of in-line

ANDOVER, MA— November 7, 2007­—Standard Finishing Systems, a leading supplier of post-press and paper handling solutions, received the 2007 Gegenheimer Corporate Award for industry service from NPES, the Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies, on November 4 at the NPES 2007 Annual Conference in San Diego, CA. “I’m pleased to accept this prestigious award on behalf of all Standard employees,” said David Reny, Managing Director, Standard Finishing Systems. “It’s a real compliment to the dedication and service of our entire organization.” Named in honor of former Baldwin Technology Company Chairman Harold W. Gegenheimer, these annual awards recognize one company and one individual

THERE ARE two sets of attendees walking the show floor at Graph Expo. The first type has done his/her homework, knows all the primary players for a given product, has whittled down the equipment choices to a short list, and is at the show to see the machines in action. This person is on a mission. The second type has been to all the booths offering freebies, has three or four posters, two flash drives, one guitar and assorted other trinkets. For him, this show is a two-day reprieve from work. This tire kicker doesn’t really have an agenda. An educated shopper is the

Muller Martini has opened a new rebuild center in Allentown, Pa. The 10,000-square-foot facility includes state-of-the-art capabilities for both rebuilding and refurbishing used equipment. Through the company’s pre-owned equipment program, printers and binderies have the opportunity to purchase certified pre-owned machines at substantial savings. Among the equipment available for purchase are saddle stitchers, perfect binders, press delivery machines and a diverse range of other Muller Martini technologies. “Our pre-owned equipment is evaluated carefully and it is then meticulously brought back to its original specs by our factory-trained experts. . .in virtually every way the machines are just like brand new. Plus, our rebuilt equipment

MBO America has been hosting an annual open house for nearly a decade now, but the one it has planned for next month will outdo them all. The finishing equipment company has invited 20 other vendors to exhibit their wares in MBO’s new and expanded Technology Center in Westhampton, N.J. The event, called Innovation Days, will take place November 7-9, from 10-6. It will once again feature an authentic Beer Garden buffet. Joining MBO this year will be Buskro, Baumer hhs, Bograma, Colter + Peterson, Delphax, Ehret, H&H, HP, Hohner, KBA, Lake Image Systems, Longford International, Muller Martini, Oce, palamides, Ricoh/IBM, Ryobi, Shinohara,

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