BINDERY matters
Open House Offers Look at New Gear
ROLLING MEADOWS, IL—Spartanics held its fourth annual open house in suburban Chicago recently, featuring the North American debut of the new Spartanics Klemm laser cut diecutting system. Two participatory forums were offered to attendees on the subjects of "Introduction to Digital Diecutting" and "Feed Users Forum."
Finishing Safety Standards Adopted
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved ANSI B65.2-2005, Graphic technology-Safety requirements for binding and finishing systems and equipment. This standard revises and replaces the 1999 edition, and is currently available from NPES.
The standard addresses mechanical safety issues such as motion controls, guarding against hazards, and warning systems. It also includes information on the use of the Inch-SAFE-Service method, which has been recognized by OSHA as an acceptable alternative to lockout/tagout when doing minor servicing and makeready activities that are routine, repetitive and integral to the use of the equipment for production.
The revision was done by ANSI-accredited B65 Subcommittee 2. This revision is an effort to further harmonize the requirements of ISO 12649:2004, Graphic technology-Safety requirements for binding and finishing systems and equipment, with the requirements of B65.2. Such harmonization is important to facilitate international trade while adhering to U.S. safety regulations.
To maximize such harmonization, this revision of B65.2 is a national adoption of ISO 12649, modified with specific requirements for the U.S., which are clearly noted throughout the document and are compiled in a separate annex of the standard. These modifications are in the form of additions to, or deviations from, the requirements of ISO 12649.
Book on Budgeted Hourly Cost Studies
With postpress and fulfillment operations becoming increasingly important contributors to today's printing profit margins, NAPL's new "Budgeted Hourly Cost Studies for Bindery, Finishing & Mailing Operations" 2005 edition provides printers with critical data for pricing and comparing operating rates for 639 machines from 80 manufacturers in 29 equipment categories related specifically to the bindery, finishing and mailing areas.
The 2005 Bindery Blue Book is available on a CD-ROM or in a printed version. The Blue Book is based on exclusive survey data direct from the manufacturers or distributors on all new models of equipment, so it doubles as a buyers guide.
This 672-page edition shows readers exactly how hourly cost rates are constructed, examining more than 15 cost factors and how they differ for various equipment configurations, one- to three-shift operations, and three different productivity levels. Easy-to-follow instructions explain how printers can adjust the rates for their actual investment costs and actual employee wages.
For ordering information and pricing, call NAPL at (800) 642-6275, option 4.
Eight Cutting Lines Purchased by CGX
PATERSON, NJ—Information about big purchases made at PRINT 05 and CONVERTING 05 continues to be revealed. Colter & Peterson reports it sealed a deal with Houston-based Consolidated Graphics (CGX) at the show for eight Wohlenberg/Baumann cutting lines.
The lines are to be installed at CGX locations around the country including: CDS Publications, Medford, OR; Woodridge Press, Anaheim, CA; Wetzel Brothers Printing, Cudahy, WI; Mercury Printing, Memphis, TN; Emerald City Graphics, Kent, WA; American Litho, Hayward, CA; Western Litho, Houston; and Bridgetown Printing, Portland, OR.
Colter & Peterson President Bruce Peterson notes that his company is working with CGX to remove some older Polar equipment. "As part of the agreement, we will be relocating existing machines within their system," he says.
The flexibility in size and options on the Wohlenberg/Baumann cutting lines was appealing to CGX, Peterson points out.
"Instead of having a 'cookie cutter' approach, and have every CGX plant buy the same exact system, we were able to tailor every system for each plant and provide exactly the features they needed," Peterson explains.
For example, Wetzel Brothers, a large-format printer, was accommodated on its size requirements by Colter & Peterson easier than by some other cutter dealers in the market, Peterson contends.
The company was also also able to assist CGX with setting up its bindery workflow more efficiently.
quick cuts
Brown's Bindery, located in Columbia, SC, recently installed a Heidelberg ECO 105 folder/gluer, a Stahlfolder SSP 82 scoring, slitting and perforating machine, and a KAMA 105 diecutter. The new additions have expanded the shop's postpress capabilities and support its transition from a traditional trade bindery to a commercial finishing and fulfillment business.
B&D Binder and Index, Arlington, TX, has acquired Jabez Bindery of Midlothian, TX. The acquisition expands B&D's plastic coil and Wire-O book binding capabilities. Lynda Morgan, Jabez Bindery's previous owner, has accepted a sales position with B&D as its bindery sales manager.
The rebuilt Kluge EHD series foil stamping, embossing and diecutting press exhibited by Brandtjen & Kluge at PRINT 05 was sold to Seaboard Bindery in Woburn, MA. During the show, the machine finished promotional posters for the Smithsonian Institute announcing the opening of its new exhibit, "Picturing Words."
New York City-based LB Graph-X & Printing has installed a second high-speed Polar 92 XT cutter from Heidelberg to increase capacity. Since the installation, the shop reports a 50 percent reduction in cutting time.
A Muller Martini Bravo-T saddlestitcher is now in operation at Kennickell Print & Communication, Savannah, GA.
Portland, OR-based Rapid Bind has purchased a new Kluge OmniFold folder/gluer to work in tandem with an existing Moll Marathon folder/gluer.
Old Ina Corp. of Tucson, AZ, reports increased productivity with the addition of a Polar 115 X cutter. The general commercial printer also has installed Heidelberg's Prinect Printready System to maximize workflow efficiency. Founded in 1981, Old Ina houses 60 employees.
Victor Graphics in Baltimore has purchased a new Muller Martini Acoro A7 perfect binder, completing a $6 million capital expansion project for 2005. The new equipment replaces a Starplus binder. Other new equipment purchased included a Timson T48A web press, a Creo Magnus VLF platesetter and Creo Prinergy workflow software.
Do You Have Bindery-related News To Report? We Want to Hear About it!
Fax to (215) 238-5484 or e-mail mmichelson@napco.com
