(back to the
top) Hot-Melt Adhesive Henkel Adhesives unveils its new low-application-temperature
hot melt adhesive to bookbinders. The user friendly, low-temperature
Safe-T-Melt increases binding quality, boosts productivity, and
improves worker safety, claims Henkel. It is also said to help maintain
cleaner systems, reduce maintenance; prolongs application equipment
life; reduce energy costs; improve worker safety; reduce adhesive
fumes; reduce cross-grain paper wrinkling, and bind different paper
stocks.
New Safe-T-Melt products include high performance spine glues and
low-temperature side glues.
(back to the
top) Air-Feed
Paper Jogger
MBM Corporation (www.mbmcorp.com)
introduces the AJ-700 Air-feed paper jogger, which jogs paper and
dries ink in one step.
The air-assist function forces air between sheets to reduce jogging
time and eliminate powder buildup. In addition, it reduces empty
insertions and double feeds in printers, folders, and collators.
The AJ-700 jogger also features a built in timer for continuous
operation, an air-only function, and a foot pedal.
(back to the
top) Collator Line
Vijuk Equipment, Inc. (www.vijukequip.com)
introduces the Setmaster collator and its bookletmaking capabilities.
The Setmaster line features collators with sheet sizes ranging
from 130mmx100 mm (5.5x4") to 707mmx1000mm (27.83x39.37"),
which handle thicknesses from 20g/m2 to 1000g/m2 (approx. 13 lb.
book to 600 lb. tag). The collators can be equipped with any number
of stations. The feeding stations, which load on the run, are equipped
with an adjustable feeding head with multiple suction points and
air-blast separation, ensuring accurate sheet transfer. Double-
and missing-sheet detectors are fitted as standard.
Options include a stitch/fold/trim unit; duplex system; head, corner;
or loop stitcher; hole puncher; cross folding unit; ultrasonic welder;
shrink wrapper; variable speed jogger; criss-cross jogger; gluing
unit; computerized operation; deep-pile feeding; hand-feed station;
crash numbering; and deep pile delivery unit.
(back to the
top) Tabletop
Cutters
The Challenge Machinery Company (www.challengemachinery.com)
introduces the Spartan series of tabletop paper cutters. The cutters
are available in two sizes, 15-3/4" and 18-1/2" and in
both electric powered and manual versions. Affordable and simple-to-operate,
these machines have many of the features of larger, more expensive
cutters.
(back to the
top) Automatic Layout Calculator
LithoTechnics (www.lithotechnics.com)
debuts Metrix 1.5, reported to be the first automatic layout calculator
for commercial printers. Metrix optimizes press sheet layouts for
ganging multiple products, eliminates the complexities of gang printing
and minimizes stock waste, placing as much product on a press sheet
as possible, while considering printer/press capabilities and product
specs such as grain direction."
The new 1.5 version can plan up to one hundred products, different
sizes and quantities,mixtures of flat and folded work, each with
different bleeds and grain direction requirements.
Metrix integrates with MIS systems by importing JDF product intent
data. The Metrix Production Edition also exports JDF, CIP3, and
Preps template files to eliminate the manual creation of Preps templates
in prepress, and to automate the setup of cutters and folding machines
in the finishing department.
(back to the
top) Digital Ink Presetting
Continental Micro Systems presents The Printflow Company's digital
ink fountain presetting soluton.
Acting as a translator between the prepress and the printing machine,
Printflow Digital Ink Preset System (DIPS) converts prepress data
into the proper digital format, calculates the required coverage
per ink zone, thereby creating the ink key presetting information,
and transmits this data on to the press control console.
Printflow DIPS consists of the DIPS Converter (prepress file reader)
and the DIPS Center (interface and preset module). The DIPS Converter
is able to calculate the image coverage data out of most RIPs either
in CIP3/4 format or, if this option is not possible, then into the
existing RIP format.
The DIPS Center processes image area coverage data from a prepress
area sent via Ethernet from the DIPS Converter. When the job is
ready to be printed, the image area coverage data is calculated
to specific ink key values, which are then transferred to the press
console to preset the ink fountains. One DIPS system is able to
communicate with various press models and sizes simultaneously.
DIPS communicates with almost any RIP format and with printing
machines from most major manufacturers.
(back to the
top) Mac Sign-Making Software
Scanvec Amiable (www.scanvecamiable.com)
releases its Flexi and PhotoPRINT Products for Native Macintosh
OS X. Flexi and PhotoPRINT for Mac include such key features as
full design control, RIP, color management, and print and cut. Composed
of pre-built workflows and features specifically designed for the
sign-making industry, the Flexi line of products are designed for
those who want to use Mac OS X as their design and production platform.
Customers who want to RIP and print to large-format digital printers
directly from their Mac OS X work station can now do it with the
professional PhotoPRINT product.
(back to the
top) Automatic Baler Ties
NEXGEN Baling Systems (www.marathon-equipment.com)
debuts its PC-Series Auto-tie baler. Features include a gear-driven
tier, a twisting device that reportedly produces the smallest "pigtail"
in the industry, resulting in a 10% reduction in wire consumption.
(The pigtail is the part that sticks out when the two wires are
automatically twisted together.) Other highlights include a touch-screen
operator interface, high efficiency power unit, quick loading wire
box holders, ram hold-down bars that are adjustable from the exterior
of the machine, and a Nylatron dust control system.
(back to the
top) High-Speed Folder/Gluer
American International Machinery (www.aim-inc.net)
debuts the Signature Elite, a high-speed folder gluer that offers
faster set-up with less tooling, increased versatilty, and an extensive
carton range.
The Signature Elite offers all of the features found on its predessor,
the Superior folder, including a high-performance servo-driven vacuum
feed section. Additionally, the Elite provides an increased speed
of up to 1,800 feet per minute, with higher backfold speeds offering
more consistent overall production speed. Redesigned lead-in carriers
offer increased control and easier set-ups in the compression section.
Additional features include a carton alignment section that straightens
and corrects carton skewing out of the feeder for consistant and
accurate folding, and a belted six-corner folding device that uses
a belt to fold cartons, thus helping to decrease scuffing.
(back to the
top) Management Software
CRC Information Systems, Inc. (www.crcinfosys.com)
highlights THE System, a fully-integrated, easy-to-use information
management system that encompasses all aspects of graphic arts business
management. THE System utilizes Windows 2000/2003 and SQL Server
2000 platforms and specifically addresses the requirements of commercial
printers, from estimating, production, and inventory management
to accounting and e-commerce. The cost-saving benefits of THE System
are proven to generate one of the industry's highest returns
on investment, says the company.
(back to the
top) Ink-Jet Printers
Paul Leibinger Numbering Machine LP introduces the Leibinger DotJet
280 and DotJet 300 ink-jet printers. Based on drop-on-demand technology,
the DotJet printers offer a compact and modular concept with high
resolution and a wide-print format. The printers are ready to image
in five minutes , and can be used with UV-curable, oil- and solvent
based inks to print on a variety of substrates.
