Muller Martini's Award-Winning Scalable SigmaLine to be Showcased at GRAPH EXPO

A “Must See ‘Em” GRAPH EXPO award-winner, Muller Martini’s Scalable SigmaLine technology consists of a modular 1,000 cycles per hour production system featuring the SigmaBinder, a four clamp perfect binder with a measuring station that uses lasers to capture the dimensions of the incoming book block. These measurements are used to automatically set the binder’s length, width and thickness dimensions in real time. The book is then transferred to the SigmaTower to both cool and allow curing of the adhesive prior to trimming. From there, the book moves directly into the SigmaTrimmer where three independently driven knife elements automatically trim books of varying sizes and thickness without makeready, i.e., there is no changing of pressing pads or cartridges.

SigmaLine technology significantly streamlines the production of one-off and short-run books resulting in optimal productivity in the line. It will be operating live in Muller Martini Booth #845 during this year’s GRAPH EXPO. Visitors will get a first-hand perspective on what makes Scalable SigmaLine technology so powerful, in particular:

• Fully automatic setup of the entire system through a laser measuring station that determines the incoming untrimmed book block dimensions for setting up the SigmaBinder.
• When installed in-line, the laser measuring station allows the book blocks to be handfed into the SigmaBinder. This enables the Scalable SigmaLine technology to have both the flexibility of a near-line configuration and the efficiency of an in-line workflow in the same system.
• Barcode intelligence guarantees book block to cover matching integrity and automatically relays the final trim dimensions to the SigmaTrimmer. This groundbreaking technology enables the efficient production of commercial-quality one-off books by nearly eliminating makeready.
• New to 2011, the larger book length trim capability provides even greater flexibility and incoming book block format standardization.

Scalable SigmaLine has been nominated for an “Encore” award at this year’s GRAPH EXPO event. With its ability to produce 1,000 fully variable length, width and thickness books per hour, printers can enjoy the flexibility of a near-line configuration, productivity of an in-line workflow and the intelligence to guarantee book integrity in one system. The technology can be integrated into the complete SigmaLine system, which networks digital printing and finishing in one operation, enabling fully automated end-to-end production from blank rolls to completed books.

GRAPH EXPO takes place September 11-14, 2011 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Muller Martini engineers and experts will be on hand in Booth #845 to provide insight and ideas about how Muller’s innovative technology and workflow solutions can help printers and binderies grow their businesses.

ABOUT MULLER MARTINI
Muller Martini is the world’s largest producer of print finishing solutions for commercial and book printers, trade binderies, newspapers, and digital book manufacturers. They are also the world’s leading manufacturer of variable size web offset presses. Muller’s innovative workflow solutions optimize processing efficiencies, while helping to build new revenue streams. With U.S. headquarters in Hauppauge, New York, Muller’s sales and support team provides training and responsive service to printers and binderies nationwide.