Launched last month, the line, which costs around £300,000-plus dependent on configuration, is comprised of an AFC-74 folder or AFC-566 folder, StitchLiner 6000, VAC-80S collator and the new HIF-6000F hybrid interface.
The line has a number of possible configurations, with the two collating towers optional, and customers that already have some of the elements can have them integrated to form the line.
IFS managing director Bryan Godwyn said the key production benefit of the line is to eliminate the need for separate folding.
Technical sales director Jason Seaber hailed the machine as a good solution for work running off both litho and digital presses as it is intended mainly for short- and medium-run booklet jobs.
“What it gives a user is flexibility in production,” said Seaber.
“If you have a traditional gather, stitch and trim you print the sheet then you fold offline into sections then generally load into a gatherer for the machine to gather the sections and trim, whereas the FoldLiner eliminates all these processes and enables the printer to take a pallet of printed sheets from press and produce booklets without too much effort.”
Running at maximum speeds of up to 6,000bph and with makeready times of less than two minutes, the FoldLiner can combine four-page flat-sheet sections with eight-page or 16-page sections, meaning customers have the ability to produce booklets of differing page lengths than just multiples of eight. It also offers variable sheet count production via an optional mark sensor.
If configured with an AFC-74 folder it can take sheets sized up to 738mmx1.1m or 558x850mm if configured with the AFC-566. The stitchliner can take maximum sheets sized 356x508mm.
The Hybrid interface, the only component of the line that is newly launched, is a bridge conveyor that connects the folder to the stitchliner.
“This is a small but important part, particularly if you are merging a B1 sheet to a 16-page section and then want to add two four-page sections,” added Seaber.
Earlier this year, IFS, which is Horizon’s exclusive UK and Ireland distributor, took on its StitchLiner Mark III and Horizon BQ-480 perfect binder, and last month it added Belgian manufacturer Fit Things’ new Slimbox laser cutter.
