BINDERY matters
Heidelberg Hosts Packaging EventKENNESAW, GA—Heidelberg USA hosted a packaging open house for attendees of the 2009 IADD•FSEA Odyssey trade exhibition recently held in Atlanta. Seventy-five people were able to see Heidelberg packaging equipment installed at its Print Media Demonstration Center.
Among the equipment demonstrated were a Speedmaster XL 105 press; a Diana X 135 folder-gluer; a KAMA ProCut 74 half-size diecutter; and a Dymatrix Pro CSB diecutter.
Direct Marketer Configures Complete Finishing System
LAS VEGAS—Trialogue Direct, a direct marketing firm, recently installed a Rollem slitting and scoring system. The 30? TR model with 30? mobile right angle operates in-line with Trialogue's folding unit to create a complete finishing system for the company's various direct mail products.
Schumann Increases Capacity, Speeds Stitcher Makereadies
FALL RIVER, WI—Schumann Printers, a printer of 300 special interest magazines and catalogs, has installed a Muller Martini Tempo 22 saddlestitcher to replace its Muller 301. The upgrade has increased capacity and speed in cycle times and makereadies.
According to Dan Schumann, president, "The overall makeready times have been reduced, at the same time producing many more books per hour." He adds that the in-line merchandise tipper on the Tempo enables the company to tip while stitching at very high speeds.
Eckhart Elected ?To BIA Hall of Fame
SEWICKLEY, PA—Bill Eckhart, of Eckhart & Co., was inducted into the Binding Industries Association (BIA) Hall of Fame at the 2009 BIA Mid Management Conference in early May. Individuals selected for the Hall of Fame have made dedicated efforts to advance the betterment of the industry and are also strong supporters of the BIA.
Eckhart has been associated with the BIA for more than 50 years, serving as secretary, treasurer, vice president and president. He also served on the board of directors for 14 years.
PA Finisher Buys Pair of Stitchers
MANHEIM, PA—According to Doug Shelley, owner of Phillips Graphic Finishing, faster makereadies and higher production speeds were some of the key criteria used when he selected two Heidelberg Stitchmaster ST 450 models to replace two of his aging saddlestitchers.
"The value of these machines is huge in terms of speed and turnaround," notes Shelley. "Our makereadies have been cut in half, and our run speeds are already nearly double what they were before."
New Capabilities ?Up Competitiveness
BALTIMORE—Pack Appeal, a division of Bindagraphics, has acquired a high-speed Emmeci slipcase manufacturing production line to be more competitive in high-volume and quick-turnaround slipcase design and production. Slipcases are often companion pieces for a wide variety of book, magazine and looseleaf binder projects.
The Emmeci installation also gives Pack Appeal the ability to manufacture "Godiva style" rigid setup boxes, as well as to produce game board boxes, totes and multimedia boxes.
"We believe high-speed slipcase and rigid setup box capabilities are an excellent complement to Pack Appeal's existing line of binders and tabs," notes Matt Anson, president. "And the new product line can be decorated with any number of finishing effects—foil stamping, debossing, windowing, spot UV coating—to create high-end packaging that cuts through the clutter in the marketplace."
Diecutter Doubles Production Speeds
CHARLOTTE, NC—Commercial printer Classic Graphics recently expanded its finishing capabilities by adding a Bobst Commercial 106 Autoplaten diecutter. The unit has a built-in stripping station. A maximum sheet size of 41-3⁄4 x 29-1⁄8? has eliminated Classic's need to guillotine sheets down before diecutting. The new Bobst machine replaces three older cylinder presses.
"We can diecut a much larger range of materials than we could with our old cylinder presses," says Bill Gardner, president. "Our production speeds have more than doubled and we've enhanced the quality of our diecutting."
Printer Adds Its Second Co-Mailer
MECHANICSBURG, PA—Fry Communications has added an additional co-mailer. Installation began in the first quarter.
"This additional co-mailing horsepower is a great benefit to our customers who have readily embraced it in view of rising postal rates and continued discounts offered to efficient mailers," says Steve Grande, vice president of sales.
Fry's co-mail facility also recently announced its ability to co-mail polywrapped products.
quick cuts
Variable trim binding, a technology that allows for the stitching of multiple titles with varying face trims in one co-manufacturing pool, is now available at Brown Printing's Woodstock, IL, facility.
Cincinnati-based Seemless Design & Printing purchased a new Polar 78 XS cutter from Heidelberg.
Roswell Bookbinding, Phoenix, acquired a Thomson ValueLine stamping and embossing press, complementing eight other stamping presses currently ?in operation. PI
