Postpress Integrates Digital Print

One of the easiest ways to locate postpress exhibits on the massive Graph Expo show floor is to look for variable data and digital. Chances are, where there's digital print being demonstrated, digital finishing displays won't be far away. Some examples follow:

Baumfolder Corp. (booth 3863) is showing its tabletop 714XLT with right-angle, Flexifold with deep pile feeder and B12 AutoBaum—all three folders suited for smaller formats and shorter runs, such as newsletters and billiing statements. Also at the Baum stand: the iFold and AutoSet systems, along with new scoring, creasing and perforating solutions, including the PS Digital Creaser, that can handle both digital and offset applications.

The Baum 30´´ Continuous Feed Folder is a floor model available with 8- and 16-page right angle units, and Baum K20 knife folder for increased flexibility. And the Baumbinder 1500 perfect binder also is on dis-play, as is the D3-HD floor-model drill, which requires no tools to position the heads.

From duplicating to finishing systems, Duplo USA (booth 3046) features a complete line of on-demand printing and finishing equipment. Products making their North American debut at Graph Expo include: the DPB-500 PUR Perfect Binder; DC-645 Slitter/Cutter/Creaser with inline folder option; System 3500 mid-range bookletmaking system; DPJ-450 Digital Printing System; and UAS-400 Photo Album System.

Digital color finishing equipment being shown is the Ultra 205A UV Coater, DC-615 Slitter/Cutter/Creaser, DC-445 Creaser, SCC (Slitter/Cutter/Creaser) equipped near-line bookletmaking system and the DSF-5000 High-Speed Sheet Feeder.

Morgana Systems (booth 4263) is showing the latest versions of its AutoCreaser 33 and 50 models, which curb the problem of cracked folds on digitally printed pieces. It handles sheets up to 27×19.7´´ at high speeds. The firm's DigiFold product combines blade and matrix creasing with patented folding technology. Also, its DocuMaster machine is a complete finishing system capable of creasing, folding and booklet-making.

Nordson (booth 2641) offers book-binding via its EP 48V system, which applies PUR adhesive directly to book spines for better adhesion and improved lay-flat properties. Originally designed for multi-clamp binders, this latest head design brings PUR capability to single-clamp binders typically used by digital printers for short runs.

Rima-System (booth 3075) is displaying the RS 830 Rotary Trimming Line, which integrates two trimming modules and a bump turn on a stable, movable frame. An integrated passive knife cooling guarantees a precise cut, accurate run-out and long edge life. The system offers reliability, low knife prices and inexpensive re-sharpening.

Making its debut at Graph Expo is the RS 610 High Speed Log Stacker, the latest in horizontal log-building automation, featuring closed-loop speed control, automatic end-board feeding, remote access and one of the fastest cycle times on the market. Operation of the RS 610 is safe and easy, thanks to the open log building area, single-side operation and easy accessibility to all maintenance points. In August, Civiemme-System was integrated with all Rima project centers now providing vertical log stacking equipment.

Also, the Rima RS-36 Indexing Stacker is equipped with a set of moving forks that gently collect the product in the upper bin. Together with the smart servo pusher and integrated bundle delivery system, superior bundle quality on light and heavy pagination work is ensured.

Rollem International (booth 3015) is highlighting inline cutting from a digital press with its new auto-collation for pack sets. On the show floor, its Jetstream system is operating with an HP Indigo press as postcard sheets are fed directly from the coating unit at 5,000 spm. The Rollem re-registers the sheet with an electronic scan system (Auto-Scan) for registration accuracy and takes the printed sheet into final cut size, while the new Auto-Collation gathers finished cards into sets.

In addition, business card sheets are being finished and delivered into an automatic boxing unit for high-volume production. Multiple-up images are trimmed and slit in two directions, delivering finished product with accuracy—and eliminating the need for multiple machines, manpower and stock movement. Introduced at drupa, this system is geared for multi-up products such as playing cards, game cards and reply cards.

Standard Finishing Systems (booth 2246) is introducing the Standard Horizon BQ-270C single-clamp Perfect Binder. Designed for the short-run POD and commercial print book markets, it features a digital caliper that measures book thickness and transfers the settings to the binder for automated changeover.

The Standard Horizon BQ-470 four-clamp binder, featuring interchangeable EVA/PUR adhesive tanks and automation, has two new accessories. Operators can use the SI-470 digital caliper for automated set-up and the new PM-470 pre-melt tank for longer runs between adhesive replenishment.

The complete Standard Horizon book-binding product line also is on display, ranging from short-run print-on-demand binders up to the nine-clamp CABS 4000 production perfect binding line with inline three-knife trimming.

Horizon AFC folders use an intuitive touchscreen that prompts the operator for sheet size and desired fold pattern. Using this data, the folder calculates all necessary set-ups for a fully automated changeover in under 30 seconds. There's also “intelligent” control at the network level, with full JDF compliance via the i2i Bindery Control System. Job parameters entered at a central console can be called up by any in-network Horizon finisher.

Guaranteed to eliminate fiber cracking, the FastFit Tri-Creaser, Technifold USA's (booth 3455) latest version, delivers inline, die-quality creasing on folding and scoring machines—including models from Stahl, MBO, Baumfolder, Herzog & Heymann, Shoei, Vijuk (G&K), Horizon AFC, GUK, Morgana, Rosback and Pierce—without pulling out shafts to change settings.

Also new this year is the TurboCreaser 52, a stand-alone creasing and micro-perforating machine that runs sheets up to 20.5´´ (52 cm) wide at 18,000 sph.

Vijuk Equipment (booth 3839) is introducing the G&K FA 53 folder at Graph Expo. The high-speed, versatile FA 53 can be equipped with up to 14 plates to accommodate a variety of standard and complex fold patterns. Setup is fast and easy with its zero-makeready plates and quick caliper-set rollers. The new, wider format folds sheets from 8×8.25´´ to 20.75×40´´.

The FA 53 folder is paired with a Station II for making cross-folds.

LasX Industries (booth 443) is debuting the LaserSharp STS-400 Sheet Fed System with live, continuous-feed digital finishing demonstrations. The system uses a laser to cut, perforate and score complex, variable shapes—ideal for personalized pieces and short runs, says the manufacturer. LaserSharp reads barcodes with variable data to identify a predefined shape and location for finishing 14×22´´ sheets. It's fully automated, using a sheet feeder, servo-driven conveyor and stacking equipment running at similar production rates as digital presses and printers.

For traditional offset printed sheets, the Stahlfolder TH 66 6/4/4 represents the back end of Heidelberg's (booth 1200) integrated print shop demonstration at the show. The TH 66 automated folder is being demonstrated with the Stahlfolder TSH+SPA delivery, used predominantly with high-capacity folders and stitchers. This unit offers small stacks—and a lot of storage capacity prior to stack removal.

The system consists of the TSH non-marking presser/stacker delivery and SPA side delivery. TSH features a batching station and pressing station, as well as a divert gate to eliminate mis-folded products and also used in makeready. A patented diversion system guides the products into an upper or lower bin and batches/stacks are created based on desired counts/heights.

Once a batch is completed the stack is transported to the operator side into the SPA side delivery for easy removal.

The system also eliminates marking, which is an increasing problem in bindery operations. All moving parts touching finished product are driven and will not leave marks. But Heidelberg notes that combinations of not-so-dry-inks and/or sensitive stocks, such as dull coated, eliminate the use of presser/stackers and can dramatically slow down production.

ONLINE: go to graphicartsonline.com/postpress