Materials Handling in the Bindery — Moving It on Over

To this end, Banta is moving towards automating bindery processes rather than relying on manual processing to keep up with the pace of machines. It continually works on creating more efficiency. For example, Banta bundles in logs versus hand stacking on pallets for increased efficiency and speed.

Mason points out that digital workflows are beginning to incorporate bindery functions in-line with the press. “At Drupa, we saw many instances of in-line finishing, all of which is beginning to blur the line between the bindery and the pressroom—much as the line between prepress and the pressroom has been blurred by the advent of computer-to-plate and closed-loop color.”