Printers Boost Productivity with Heidelberg Intelligent Automation Installs

HardingPoorman Group has installed a POLAR P.A.C.E. 137XT fully automated cutting system with robotic loading and stacking and automatic presetting via Compucut in its recently expanded Indianapolis facility.

“The new system has taken over the lion’s share of our cutting work, which includes anything and everything from finished trim to posters, signatures, and diecut sheets,” said Steve Anzalone, COO. “It’s also our first piece of postpress equipment with connectivity. We can take the cutting file directly from layout with virtually no makeready time. ”

The new POLAR system replaces two existing standalone POLAR machines. It now operates alongside the company’s remaining POLAR 115 EMC programmable cutter, which the company reserves for smaller jobs. Even minus two cutters, Anzalone said, “We’re much more productive and have no problems keeping up with the workload.”

The time-saving automated setup, preparation of the cutting material via stacklift and jogger, and unloading via Transomat mean that HPG’s cutter operators are spared the wear and tear of repetitive bending and lifting. POLAR Autotrim automatic waste removal further improves performance by removing cutting waste during the cutting process, eliminating the arduous manual picking of waste strips.

Anzalone concluded, “We weren’t looking at this level of automation, but we’re really glad we went ahead with it. The ROI is in line with expectations and the benefits have been outstanding.”

HardingPoorman Group’s broad portfolio of services includes computer-to-plate offset printing, UV printing, digital printing, variable data services, CD/DVD replication and automated packaging, mailing, comprehensive bindery, wide format signage, and fulfillment. The company, which serves the area within a 150-mile radius of Indianapolis, has 155 employees, and records annual sales of $34 million.

Binderyonics Adds Stitchmaster ST 350 to Equipment Lineup

Binderyonics Inc., a trade bindery located in Elk Grove Village, IL, recently took delivery of its third Heidelberg saddlestitcher, this one a Stitchmaster ST 350 with fourth and fifth knife options and counter stacker. According to company president Dan Griffin, Binderyonics specializes in the binding and finishing of high-volume direct mail catalogs for a variety of Fortune 500 companies doing business across the Midwest and nationwide.