Muller Martini will debut an end papering unit for its Vareo perfect binder, opening the way for book of one production for case bound books at the Hunkeler Innovation Days next month.
Until now perfect binders for short run digital printing and binding have been restricted to producing softcover books or with work arounds for book blocks with end papers. The few devices that promise end papering in book production have not yet been widely adopted.
But with Muller Martini’s weight the solution now seems in sight. Muller Martini GB sales manager David McGinlay says there is strong latent demand for such a breakthrough. “I have booked 34 appointments for Hunkeler Innovation Days and 60% of those are interested in this technology,” he says.
The VBA end sheet feeder will be part of an automated production line that combines three Vareo binders and the Infinitrim Duo robotic three edge trimmer.
The Vareo was first shown at the HID in 2015, progressing to Drupa the following year where it was paired with the Infinitrim in an automated production line. It uniquely handles three books at once through its three clamps with each of a different size and format thanks to servo motors and barcode driven software.
Now says the Swiss manufacturer, the development of the new end sheet feeder means that “blocks with end sheets and liners can be produced in ultra-short runs”.
At the Lucerne event, Muller Martini will run three Vareo machines to the Infinitrim. One will be a Ventura MC sewing machine designed for book of one production; another a standard Vareo and the third the Vareo with the VBA for book block production. These will be combines to demonstrate eight different products in single copy batches.
This presentation also includes Hunkeler technology for sheeting and trimming the printed reel, Heidelberg for folding prior to delivery to the binding options.
There will also be a Vareo in the host’s area where the binder will be producing batches of book blocks for feeding into the Infintrim to demonstrate off line cell production as well as the inline capability.
Gareth Ward
Hunkeler Innovation Days returns to the exhibition centre in Lucerne from 25-28 February against a background of inkjet starting to gain traction in commercial printing.
