FINISHLINE: Single Source for Specialty Folders

H+H folders are now distributed and sold in the U.S. by MBO America. That includes the miniature and pharmaceutical folders formerly distributed by Vijuk. MBO's German parent firm merged with Herzog + Heymann (i.e., H+H) in 2000, giving it a wider range of equipment configurations, from small formats for packaging inserts up to large formats for maps and posters. MBO America will now carry the H+H specialty folder KL112, used for small folded and glued material, pharmaceutical instructions (shown), perforated lottery products and extremely thin papers. It is supplied with up to 14 buckle plates for each folding unit. Critical to this specialty performance, says MBO, is an H+H exclusive technology, the radial folding roller adjustment that keeps the paper in constant contact with the rollers, maintaining paper position integrity. www.herzog-heymann.com

In January, MBO announced it had taken a majority interest in Ehret Control, a Freiburg, Germany supplier of inline web finishing systems founded in 1982. “Now we are able to offer in the expanding market segment of digital printing by means of coordinated top-technology, an even wider product portfolio of one source,” says MBO spokesperson Manfred Minich. “Ehret benefits from better access to investment funds necessary for the further development and market introduction of innovative solutions.” Ehret Control provides variable cross-cutters, rotary punching aggregates, unwinders, pile deliveries and other special machinery and accessories for complex solutions. Apart from the classic printing, packaging and label producing industries, Ehret's customers also include pharmaceutical companies and mailing companies.

MBO America distributes German-based parent company MBO's (Machine Builder of Oppenweiler) finishing equipment in the U.S. through a direct sales force and a network of dealers. It says it is now the leading supplier of folding equipment in the U.S. and offers the broadest range of equipment and capabilities for print material finishing. MBO provides unlimited training, at no cost, to all MBO equipment users in Westampton, NJ, and Schiller Park, IL, near Chicago. mboamerica.com

Muller Martini says it prefers to keep its drupa debuts under wraps (Hall 14, Stand B38) but is laying the groundwork for its presentations by focusing on the development of ergonomics, and in particular, optimizing the Human Machine Interface. HMI facilitates operation, monitoring, operator intervention, and in some cases, even maintenance. It is gaining increasing currency in machine design because it is so prevalent in everyday consumer life as well. Workers expect production machines to be as intuitive to operate as their home appliances.

Muller cites the work of Thomas Maier, professor for technical design at the University of Stuttgart, in noting that a well-designed HMI sets the stage for a smooth flow of information between operator and machine, and for the physical engagement of machinery by workers.

“Ergonomics is becoming increasingly relevant in the operation of consumer products, individual machines and whole systems,” Maier says. “The objective of optimum ergonomics must always be to improve usability.”

Ergonomics increasingly sets the standards for the technical design of production equipment and workstations. Taking into account the capabilities and requirements of human beings reduces the potential for accidents, lowers the incidence of illness and prevents chronic health problems.

Workstations, control consoles and production equipment must be sized more precisely to meet human requirements. System configurations must take into account such variables as body size and physical capacity. When these anthropometric factors are incorporated into such human activities as seeing, gripping, lifting, sitting or moving, human well-being at the workplace is enhanced.

In bookbinding facilities, cutting, folding, collating, gluing, saddlestitching and other processes each present unique ergonomic problems. Ergonomic designers may automate heavy-duty tasks such as those listed above, assigning them to machines. Or at the very least, designers can offer advice on how to get the job done safely. For example: The closer a load is held to the body, the easier it is to handle. Avoiding excessive standing on hard floors and refraining from leaning forward are other ergonomic rules of thumb. Repetitive bending also is very dangerous, as exhibited by the frequent muscle, spine and joint injuries that occur in personnel who are assigned to such tasks. Another ergonomic challenge involves working with material that is positioned at an incorrect height. The ergonomic solution is to make systems that are more adjustable, so they can adapt to the different height requirements of different workers.

The drupa introductions for Standard Finishing will be on display at two locations. The first is Horizon (Hall 13, Booth 35) where the HCB-2 hardcover binder, StitchLiner 6000 and AF-566T4F folder will debut.

Hunkeler finishing modules handled by Standard Finishing will be on view at Hall 14, Booth A40. A visit to these locations will provide a preview for the next generation of automated finishing systems that will be carried by Standard Finishing.

ONLINE: www.mboamerica.com, www.mullermartini.com