Daniel Germann, managing director of Muller Martini's OnDemand Solutions division, said the sale was concluded within the first three days of the show's opening, but the customer had requested anonymity.
Germann said that interest in the SigmaLine had come from across the globe, with customers from Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Australia all visiting the stand.
Several live enquires have already been noted in the system from the UK. Fulmar chief executive Mike Taylor stopped off to look at the line during his visit to the show, and said he was impressed by its "industrial robustness".
The SigmaLine process is handled in one single operation, from pre-press through to digital printing in mono on both sides of the paper, to trimming, folding, finishing, binding and saddle stitching if required.
Small run book projects can be easily and economically produced. Books, brochures, catalogues and financial reports can all be produced on line.
The process is controlled by an end-to-end control system, SigmaControl, with JDF interface. The production part is then handled through the Sigma Press, which can also handle digitally pre printed rolls.
Muller Martini has partnered with Delphax Technologies for the print engine and will incorporate the new Delphax CR200 roll-fed digital press into the production line. The Delphax Press will be co-branded as the SigmaPress powered by Delphax, which will be manufactured specifically for Muller Martini and customised by Delphax for integration into the Sigma line.
The Delphax CR200 is capable of speeds of 2,000 images per minute at 600dpi, enabling it to produce 300pp books at the rate of one every five seconds.
Germann said the challenge Muller faced was to find a partner that could deliver a technology that would meet its speed and quality requirements.
Following an extensive review Delphax and its patented electron beam imaging beam technology was selected.
Once printed, the pages are sent through the SigmaFolder, which then passes them onto the SigmaBinder or SigmaStitcher as required. The SigmaSticher can handle up to 6,000 books per hour. The SigmaFolder can deliver 4pp-8pp signatures to the saddle stitcher, and 8pp 12pp or16pp documents to the perfect binder.
The SigmaBinder is capable of producing perfect bound books at a speed of up to 1,000 books per hour, and with a thickness from 3mm to 40mm.
Lastly, the SigmaTower is a cooling tower interlinked with the binder to ensure adequate cooling of the books and drying of the adhesive.
The SigmaLine costs between 1.6m-1.8m.
Story by Andy Scott at Drupa
