The stitch, fold, and trim machine can be integrated with Horizon's AC, HAC, TC and TAC series collators. In 1996 it was upgraded to the faster SPF/FC-10II that had improved controls, followed by the SPF/FC-11 and then the SPF/FC-20.
Alongside this was the SPF/FC-20a bookletmaker, which had offered an operating speed of 4,500 booklets per hour (bph), compared to its predecessor's 2,600bph and featured geared folding rollers and a 10-inch colour touchscreen.
"Current-day systems demonstrate a steady, highly automated progression from the SPF/FC-10 prompted by printers demanding faster book production and higher quality. Also the advent of digital print engines meant these automated systems could operate more effectively online," explains Alan Harrison technical director for Intelligent Finishing Systems, the distributor for Horizon in the UK.
According to Harrison, developments on the machine were focused on functionality.
"As it was manual the SPF/FC-10 took longer to set up and required more skilled operators. Automation has been increasingly added to upgraded models offering benefits such as job memory storage and JDF compatibility," explains Harrison.
The system takes sheets from the collator in page order with the cover sheet on top. They are then fed into a jogger where the book block is jogged on three sides before being stitched.
"This frictionless operation prevents any scuffing to the centre pages. The block is then fed into the folding area and there are registration guides that maintain a consistent fold position to the wire stitching," says Harrison.
The stitched book then exits through nipping rollers to flatten it and is transferred to the fore-edge trimmer where it is clamped along the spine and fore-edge before trimming.
Secondhand source
Optional extras include long delivery conveyors, a pre-set kicker on the delivery system and the ability to fit four stitching heads instead of the normal two. IFS will part-exchange used models, while Used Horizon Direct (UHD) is a good port of call for secondhand machines.
"The world market for Horizon used equipment is very buoyant," according to Harrison.
All spare parts for Horizon machines are available from UHD and IFS and all equipment is supported throughout its lifetime.
"Spare parts, including those for the first friction collator sold in the UK in 1981, are still available from Horizon's headquarters in Japan," says Harrison.
IFS has 16 service engineers and technical support staff based around the UK. UHD operates its own team of specialist engineers to refurbish and rebuild Horizon equipment.
The SPF/FC-10 is no longer available new, but the SPF/FC-20 costs around £26,500 while the SPF/FC-20a is £36,000.
Price for a fully refurbished SPF/FC-1011, including delivery and installation and three months comprehensive warranty, is around £10,000. But note they are generally sold with MC-8/80 collators. As with all used machines check the usual things like wear and tear and service history.
SPECIFICATIONS
Max sheet size 330x470mm
Min sheet size 210x149mm
Stitch thickness 4mm
Production speed 2,600bph
Price Used SPF/FC-1011: around £10,000
What to look for
- General wear and tear
- Service history
