BINDERY matters

Blue Ocean Press Cuts to the Chase

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL—At Blue Ocean Press, Company President Tom Mounce is measuring the return on his investment in a fully automated, programmable Polar 115 XT cutter with Autotrim, Transomat offloader and Dorner conveyor. Mounce claims he’s already seeing ROI on the configuration in time savings and ease of use. He explains that the operator now works fewer hours with less assistance due to the automated material handling features of the new cutter.

The Polar’s variable-speed backgauge, which can be sped up or slowed down, depending on job requirements, also allows Blue Ocean to handle a wider range of stocks at higher speeds. The new cutter joins an existing 115 XT cutter and three Heidelberg Stahlfolders.

Trio of Machines Pump Up Productivity

PHILADELPHIA—A “Happy Thanksgiving” card was sent to the customers of Innovation Printing & Communications, thanking them for their support. But the greeting also announced that several new pieces of equipment were installed at the full-service commercial printing facility here. In addition to a pair of new Heidelberg Speedmaster presses, three highly automated bindery systems were added: a 40˝ Brausse 1050SE diecutter, a B&R Moll folder/gluer with hot and cold glue units, and a Muller Martini Model 380 BravoPlus T saddlestitcher.

Ink-Jet Offers VDP, Boosts Value-Added

DEKALB, IL—A Videojet 4320 ink-jet addressing and imaging system recently added at MPE Business Forms is transforming the way the company does business. The new technology, with print resolution up to 600 dpi and expandable print head configurations from 2˝ to 8˝, is enabling MPE to now offer barcoding, variable data and direct mail services.

“The new equipment is amazing,” reports Colleen Edwards, cost estimator and customer service rep. “We’re currently running several different types of applications with it—from direct mail cards to barcoded forms and book jobs, as well as labels.”

MPE is so excited about its new equipment, which also includes a Videojet Cheshire 5100 feeding and transport system, that it developed and distributed an e-mail flyer for its customers, illustrating the many usages of the ink-jet imaging system, while promoting the value-added.

All-Heidelberg Shop Extends (Again)

STAMFORD, CT—A new six-pocket Heidelberg Stitchmaster ST 90 saddlestitcher with stacker and cover feeder recently joined an ever-expanding family of Heidelberg equipment at Printech, a commercial printer and direct mailer. Printech—which operates five Heidelberg presses, two Stahlfolders and several Polar cutters—replaced an aging stitcher with the new Stitchmaster ST 90.

“The new stitcher is more accurate, runs at higher speeds, produces higher quality and helps us meet our customers’ demand for quick-turn work,” says Carmine Furci, vice president.

Family run Printech serves customers from Manhattan to Florida, producing a variety of printed materials ranging from business cards to annual reports.

New Saddlestitcher Grows Commercial Work for Newspaper

LONGMONT, CO—Printing three daily newspapers, as well as commercial work, Lehman Communications is eyeing even more commercial business opportunities since installing a Muller Martini BravoPlus T saddlestitcher configured with six hoppers and cover feeder.

“Speeds have almost tripled on some products, makereadies are faster with far less tools required, and the trimmer is the frosting on the cake. It is so easy to make adjustments on-the-fly, and the accuracy of trims is outstanding,” says Dale Carr, vice president of production at the Daily Times-Call, which also publishes the Loveland Reporter-Herald and Canon City Daily Record.

Installation of the new BravoPlus T was completed in less than two weeks. Aside from the newspapers, the company produces several magazines, college course books and municipal publications.

Quick cuts

VistaPrint North America, of Windsor, Ontario, purchased its fifth Rollem scoring and slitting machine.

Knoxville, TN-based Coleman’s Printing & Awards has significantly improved production capacity with its new Standard Horizon StitchLiner 5500 collator, stitcher and trimmer. Prepress workflow has also improved with the installation of a new four-up Presstek Dimension 412 platesetter.

The bindery at Digital Ink in Richmond, VA, has been seriously upgraded with the addition of a new Polar 115 X cutter, Stahlfolder B 30 folder and Stitchmaster ST 90 saddlestitcher, all from Heidelberg.