Bindery Matters

ABS Graphics Consolidates Plants, Increases Capacity with Two Automated Cutters

ITASCA, IL—Moving a large company from two locations is a herculean task, but ABS Graphics' 150 full-time and 50 temporary employees kept their feet on the accelerator, even over the holiday break. The firm recently consolidated its separate large-format and litho operations in nearby Addison and Chicago, IL, into a new, 130,000-square-foot facility here. One of the first machines pressed into action was a new, 72˝ Wohlenberg cutting system with automatic rear loader, jogger and lift from Colter & Peterson.

"We bought the auto loader and jogger for its speed. With a two-man operation, we're seeing a significant increase in the amount of volume we can turn around on the Wohlenberg system," remarks Steve VanderVeen, ABS owner and principal.

The new cutter works in tandem with another recent addition: a five-color KBA Rapida 142 large-format press used to print retail in-store jobs.

"The KBA press prints 40x56˝ sheets, which is double the size and weight of 28x40˝ sheets," he explains. "Running two-sided, we use the auto loader to pick up and turn it over, as well as aerating and jogging the loads, and then put it back on the press."

Digital Printing Professionals Converge In Switzerland for Innovationdays 2015

Lucerne, switzerland—Every two years, Hunkeler Innovationdays provides the opportunity to experience the future of digital finishing solutions. This year, from Feb. 23-26, Hunkeler is hosting Innovationdays 2015 at the Messe Lucerne exhibition center in Switzerland. This year's theme is "Reaching the Summit Together."

The 11th trade show will expand into two new exhibition halls with more than 80 exhibitors and 40 innovative production solutions on display, including the latest digital printing, paper handling, mailing, and in-line, off-line and near-line finishing systems.

For example, Hunkeler will premiere a new generation of unwinding and rewinding modules with faster roll changes and production speeds up to 1,000 ft./min. Hunkeler will also showcase a book production line with automated format length changeover, as well as a dynamic finishing solution for perforating, punching, gathering, chip-out, cutting and stacking.