This month in ProPrint’s new Technology Guide section, we look at what's hot in digital finishing. Check out the best in post-press equipment aimed specifically at short runs and on-demand work

Horizon

Flexible Binding Solution

Horizon, distributed in Australia by Currie Group, offers the Flexible Binding Solution, a system that combines a folder, perfect binder and three-knife trimmer to achieve on-demand book production. The Flexible Binding Solution suits offset printers with short runs, as well as most digital printers.

This system is configured with an AF-566F digital + PSX-56 folding and stack output system with an interface conveyor to the CABS4000S perfect binding system.

For offset print, folded signatures are gathered into book blocks, bound and then trimmed. For digital print, printed rolls are cut and then folded into sequential signatures to produce complete book blocks that are delivered directly into the CABS4000S binding and trimming system for a complete roll-to-finish solution.

The PSX-56 stacks signatures or booklets, delivered at a comfortable height for easy packaging. Applications can be stacked 1-up, 2-up or 3-up for efficient production. Rigid, large diameter rollers apply 1.2 tonnes of pressure for tight, flat folds.

The CABS4000S perfect binder delivers 4,000 books per hour with an inline system from gathering to trimming. Colour touchscreens provide easy operation for accurate changeovers and quick adjustments for flexibility. It is equipped with an interchangeable tank unit that allows binding with both EVA and PUR hotmelt.

Various book sizes can be bound inline, from a minimum A6 size to a maximum A4 size. Offline signature gathering is possible using the ST-600 stacker. Also, by installing the RU-600 misfeed unit the gatherer can operate non-stop. It also offers quality control image checking cameras, a thickness detector, a weight checker and other optional quality control features. The Horizon bindery management system (pXnet) can also be added, to increase efficiency of the binding process. The pXnet system can receive JDF data.

Main specs

AFC-566FG

• Machine structure: six buckles plus fold knife plus two buckles below knife

• Maximum sheet size: 558x850mm; 1,100mm with optional extension table

• Minimum sheet size: 128x148mm

• Sidelay guide minimum set position: 74mm

• Sheet weight range: Normal paper = 35-244gsm; art/coated paper = 50-232gsm

PSX-56

• Max sheet size: 546x330mm

• Min sheet size: 128x92mm

CABS4000S

• Max speed: 4,000 books per hour

• Glue options: EVA and PUR hotmelt

• Book sizes: min A6 to max A4

Morgana

DigiFold Pro

The Morgana DigiFold Pro is an automatic creasing and folding machine that can also perforate brochures, promotional flyers and letters that have been digitally printed on a wide range of stock.

The DigiFold Pro is the highest-selling digital finishing machine for Morgana worldwide. Locally, the DigiFold and the newer DigiFold Pro have been the most popular finishing products sold here for more than 10 years, according to the distributor, Ferrostaal Australia.

The DigiFold Pro can be used as a standalone creaser when folding is not required and as a perforator when creasing and folding are not required. Central to its performance credentials, the DigiFold Pro can fold and crease without paper and ink cracking issues.

Fast automated set-up with a touchscreen interface is guaranteed by Morgana. Enter the required fold type and sheet length and the DigiFold Pro automatically sets the creasing and folding positions ready to run the job. The register table ensures that all sheets are correctly aligned before being creased and folded.

The DigiFold Pro overcomes the problems associated with high toner fusion temperatures in digital printers, which can cause the stock to curl and become difficult to feed. It has a low-pressure suction chamber built into the feed table to ensure stock is held flat and fed correctly.

The machine is portable and has a small footprint to save space, which will suit the confines of many digital print shops.

Main specs

• Operating speed: 6,000 A4 sheets/hour

• Stock weight: up to 400gsm

• Max sheet size: 700x385mm (900x385mm with optional extension table)

• Max folds per sheet: two

• Max programmed applications: unlimited alpha numeric

• Min repeat crease distance: 40mm

• Min repeat fold distance: 70mm (depending on paper weight)

• Min crease distance from lead edge: 50mm

• Min fold distance from lead edge: 50mm (depending on paper weight)

• Min crease distance from tail edge: 50mm

• Min fold distance from tail edge: 50mm (depending on paper weight)

• Min fold length: 70mm

• RRP: $39,860 ex GST

Multigraf

Eurofold Touchline CP375

The Multigraf Eurofold Touchline CP375 was officially launched locally at PacPrint13 by Neopost Australia (GBC), adding to the company’s already extensive finishing product portfolio.

Swiss manufacturer Multigraf AG says the Eurofold Touchline CP375 was developed to offer more flexibility and automation than any other product in paper finishing. It offers automated creasing and perforating – across the sheet and longwise – in a single pass, for paper stocks up to 400gsm, and can be diverted from creasing to perforating and vice versa in a very short time. By simply entering the necessary information through the touchscreen, the machine creates all settings automatically. A small, centralised, multifunctional operating panel offers all necessary functions for a fast production start.

The creasing and perforating section features a patented, interchangeable tool bar system. The tools are electronically detected and the relevant pressure is automatically set. Up to four perforating or slitting heads are available for inline work, all of which are plug and play. Set-up can be achieved in just a few seconds on the touchscreen control panel.

The Eurofold Touchline CP375 is equipped with a pile feeder using vacuum belt technology and air knife control for perfect sheet separation. There is no additional pump needed, lowering noise levels in a print room environment.

Main specs

• Max sheet size: 375×1,050mm

• Feeder system: suction feeder

• Feeder capacity: 100mm

• Min paper size: 105x148mm

• Max paper size: 375x660mm; 375×1,050mm with table extension

• Paper stocks, perforating: 80-300gsm, max 0.3mm

• Paper stocks, creasing: 80-400gsm, max 0.4mm

• Control panel: touchscreen

• Double sheet detection: ultrasonic, optional

Pitney Bowes

Connect+ 3000

The Connect+ Communication Series is arange of three digital postage meters that brings print and mail together. Launched in 2011, the three machines are positioned to appeal to commercial printers, quick printers and envelope printing specialists.

Labelled the 1000, 2000 and 3000, the on-demand capability of the three Connect+ machines augments digital finishing processes by allowing printers to create bespoke envelopes with no minimum volume constraint, thus ensuring the printed contents integrate with the exterior of the mail piece. 

Printers can use the top-level Connect+ 3000 as a dedicated envelope printer capable of full-colour graphics at production speeds with up to 1,200dpi finishing quality. When required they can also combine mail processing, print postage and graphics simultaneously.

The Connect+ 3000 uses HP thermal inkjet thanks to a partnership between the two companies. HP’s thermal printheads are positioned to enable a swathe up to 22mm wide to be printed with a custom message or logo in full colour across the top of the envelope. It can also print the fluorescent red needed by the postal system for machine vision and processing.

Operation is via a colour touchscreen with a range of presets that can be saved to multiple accounts. It handles standard graphic file formats and can capture them from a variety of sources. The operator has to match the graphic to the job and set the volume required.

The Connect+ 3000 supports Dimension on the Way (D-o-W) and Weight on the Way (W-o-W) technologies to ensure that the correct postage prices are paid, based on size and weight, without a lot of set-up by the operator.

Mailing volumes can vary from 2,000 to 20,000 per day, with speeds ranging from 180 to 300 envelopes per minute on the 3000.

Main specs

• Min envelope size: 89x127mm

• Max envelope size: 254x356mm

• Flap depth: 25-98mm

• Print technology: HP thermal inkjet

• Colours: CMYK plus postal fluoro red

• Resolution: up to 1,200dpi

• Print area: up to 22mm deep

• Speed: up to 300 letters/min

Plockmatic

PL104 SquareFold

According to Swedish finishing equipment manufacturer Plockmatic, its PL104 SquareFold is an ideal piece of finishing equipment not only for print shops but any business that produces booklets. The company says its SquareFold finish is “the perfect bound look for a fraction of the cost”.

The SquareFold does away with the warm-up times and glue issues that are associated with perfect binding, and its finished bind is secure because of the staples that hold the booklet together.

Plockmatic claims there are cost savings to be found in the handling of thick booklets because SquareFolded booklets lie flat and are easy to handle, easier to put in a guillotine for trimming, and easier to stack in the box than stapled booklets.

Because they are perfect bound, SquareFold booklets also tend to attract higher revenue, with their quality difference and a printable spine.

The PL104 SquareFold can be either configured as a table-top unit or set up on a stand for simple alignment to any booklet production line. It runs at up to 1,800 booklets per hour, and can be hand-fed or positioned inline with other booklet-making devices.

The PL104 is simple to operate, with three modes for different thicknesses and a bypass when connected inline.

Plockmatic offline products like the PL104 are sold in Australia by Fuji Xerox Australia’s Supplies division.

Main specs

• Capacity: 22 sheets of 80gsm

• Speed: up to 1,800 sets/hour

• Squarefolding modes: three plus bypass

• Max booklet size: 240x325mm

• Min booklet size: 100x120mm

Rigo

Lamibind 340 PUR binder

FAB Equipment is expanding its line of finishing systems to include solutions for digital print applications. Just released in Australia is the new 340 PUR binder, which follows the very successful release of its bigger sibling, the Rigo Lamibind 420 PUR binder.

This new model is designed to reduce the entry price point for a professional semi-automatic PUR binder that is ideally suited for very short runs of A4 and A3L size books.

Fab Equipment’s Matthew Benn commented that the company has sold several larger Lamibind 420 binders since PacPrint13, “which is not bad considering the way the market is, and how new these machines are to the market in Australia. We only launched the Rigo range at PacPrint this year.”

The Lamibind 340 PUR uses a closed-tank system that also incorporates side gluing, so bind strength and quality are not compromised while reducing waste and clean-up time associated with open tank systems.

It features a motorised clamp and automatic binding unit, as well as a robust milling system with dust extraction and operator friendly touch-screen display. The Rigo Lamibind 340 PUR binder is configured as an entry-level PUR binding system that, when compared to outsourcing alternatives, will reduce costs, improve turnaround times and ultimately increase profitability. It is priced at under $40,000 plus GST.

Main specs

• Max document thickness: 35mm

• Maximum length of spine: 340mm

• Number of working cycles: 290 (forward-backwards/hour)

• Glue application: motorised

• Side gluing: gluing plate

• Adjustment of glue thickness: manual

• Adjustment of glue temperature: push button

• Temperature range of melting glue: 140-200 degrees

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