Muller Martini Presents Connex Workflow Management System
Mike McNamara, Muller Martini
Muller Martini may be best known for its print finishing equipment, but on Sunday afternoon in Booth 625, industry journalists gathered to learn more about Connex, a workflow management system that oversees the entire production process from job input through the finishing stage.
In a presentation providing an overview of Connex, Muller Martini referred to the technology as “Finishing 4.0,” which connects essential capabilities throughout the printing process. For example, if an IT staff is struggling to manage a variety of digital files, Connex can provide that management with minimal operator intervention. Additionally, if a print shop is finding it difficult to manage variable content through to the finished product, Connex is able to provide that management through embedded barcodes.
To view Connex in action, Andy Fetherman, VP of Sales and Technology, led a booth tour, including a demonstration of the Muller Martini Presto II Digital saddle stitcher, the Vareo perfect binder, and the InfiniTrim threeknife trimmer. During the presentation of the Presto II Digital saddle stitcher, a variety of books passed through the machine, ranging in thickness and page count. Through embedded barcodes, the Connex system was able to insert specific offset printed signatures to the corresponding books.
The Vareo perfect binder meanwhile, also bound books of varying thicknesses and page counts, matching covers based on barcode technology. Similarly, the InfiniTrim threeknife trimmer displayed its ability to trim books based on barcode technology with no makeready required.
With the Vareo and InfiniTrim connected inline, both offset and digitally printed products of varying size can be trimmed and bound without operator intervention, creating a touchless workflow in the finishing process.
To close the booth tour, the journalists were given a look into how Connex operates. What was particularly important to note was that Connex provides relevant data and shows what is being produced in real time.
“Muller Martini may not be known for workflow,” Fetherman said. “But we are to our customers.”
