Of all the new machines to be put through their paces at Ipex, one of the most visible will be MBO's latest B1 buckle folder, which receives its global debut at the show. The T765 Efficiency Automatic, which will take pride of place on Friedheim International's stand, is set to play a starring role in the production of the Ipex Daily, folding more than 10,000 copies of the paper per day. It's an intensive work-out for the new machine, but one that Stuart Bamford, sales manager of MBO's UK distributor Friedheim International, believes it is more than capable of handling.
Bamford has high hopes for the T765 which he says will fill the gap between MBO's entry-level B30 and K760 models and the T800 and K800 high-end machines. "With the introduction of the T765, which also has a twin brother, the K765, MBO has now got six models in the range instead of the two its nearest competitor has got. There're now low-, medium-and a high-end options."
Unsurprisingly, the T765, which the company says is perfect for bookbinders that handle short-run work or for finishers looking to make their first move into automation, is based on the same principles and uses the same technology as the other machines in MBO's buckle folder stable. Where it differs slightly is in its use of Vario Control whereas other models use Navigator control.
"They basically do the same thing, but Vario Control is the economical version of Navigator Control," says Bamford. Vario Control features a 15in colour-coded touchscreen that allows current folding impositions to be pre-configured and displayed in Quick Mode - combined folding impositions can be created using Expert Mode - and if the operator inputs a job incorrectly, the system will reject it. In short, only technically possible folding impositions are allowed.
After a job has been run through the machine once, it's stored in the T765's memory bank and can be recalled instantly, which brings time savings during makeready.
"Using the job memory means that makeready times can be from as little as two to three minutes," says Bamford.
This is one of the major selling points of the new machine with makeready times significantly reduced on the T765 as the rollers and buckle plates are fully automated.
However, the T765 isn't quite as flexible as its higher-end siblings, the T800 and K800. "With the new machine you have it fully automated or not at all. You can't say I only want the rollers or the buckle plates automated," says Bamford.
Train to gain
While automation inevitable speeds up the process, it's not the be-all and end-all, according to Bamford.
"You tell it the sheet size and what you want it to look like when the sheet is folded and it does it for you, but like all automation you have to know what you're doing to get the most out of the machine."
MBO's Rapidset II is fitted as standard. If there's a paper jam, the drive motors stop and report the problem to Vario Control instantly to minimise potential damage to the machine, which has a top running speed of 205m per minute for a T765 with one or two units and 180m per minute for a three-unit version. The standard model has four fold plates with the optional extension up to six fold plates in unit one or two - if the machine comes with three units unit two can only be equipped with four fold plates.
Bamford says that the flexible machine can also handle a wide range of substrates with even thin papers transferred precisely between the fold rollers leading to improved perforation and cutting results on the rear slitter shafts.
In terms of rival machines the T765 goes up against Heidelberg's Stahlfolder TH and Bamford isn't shy of mentioning the German manufacturer. "We're going head-to-head with Heidelberg with the T765," he explains. "If anyone buys a folder in the B1 size then they're either going to buy an MBO or a Heidelberg and, of course, we believe that our machine is the better proposition."
He dismisses models by other manufacturers (see alternatives) based on customer service levels alone. "People who buy these types of machines are blue-chip B1 companies who demand a high level of service that can only be delivered by companies like ours."
Service levels are one thing but what about that all-important price? Bamford argues that it's difficult to pin down a figure due in large part to the different options that customers can plump for. Also, for a German manufacturer, the exchange rates don't help matters when selling kit into the UK either. "A few years ago the exchange rate was €1.50 to the pound. Now it's closer to €1.10. You're talking about a significant difference - almost 25% increase - in price."
Regardless of such issues Bamford says that potential customers should expect to pay somewhere between the price of a B30 and a T800. "It will be very competitively priced. It will be cheaper than rival machines and also much better."
The combination of automation and a competitive price point are what Bamford hopes will set the machine apart from those offered by rival manufacturers.
Show business
While the machine is available to purchase now (the lead time for orders is eight to 10 weeks) Bamford refuses to be drawn on sales targets and anticipates that most potential customers will hold off on investing until after they have seen it in the flesh at the NEC in Birmingham, which will be the machine's first global outing.
"The exhibition is a relatively short period of time away so if they want to buy at Ipex that's what they will do."
There's one other weapon in his armoury that Bamford will go big on at Ipex - the production of the show daily.
"It's an honour to be associated with the Ipex Daily," says Bamford. "Everybody reads it and it gives us the kind of exposure that we crave. Hopefully people will come and see the new machine for themselves."
And even if they don't they'll be able to sample its capabilities in the pages of one of the 10,000 pieces of print it will transform into a newspaper every day of the show.
SPECIFICATIONS
Min sheet size (palletised feeder) 17x25mm
Max sheet size (palletised feeder) 760x1,200mm
Min speed (1-2 folding units) 10m per minute
Max speed (1-2 folding units) 205m per minute
Feeders Choice of pile, continuous or pallet
Price From £56,000
Contact
Friedheim International
0845 026 2001
www.friedheim.co.uk
THE ALTERNATIVES
Heidelberg Stahlfolder TH 82
MBO sees the Stahlfolder as its most direct competitor and while it may not be able to challenge on levels of automation - the TH 82 is a more highly automated model probably more inline with the T800 - it is significantly cheaper than the Heidelberg machine. However, the Stahlfolder has more optional extras than MBO's new model, can handle a bigger sheet size and also boasts a faster top speed.
Max sheet size 820x1,280mm
Min sheet size 140x180mm
Max speed 230m per min
Price From £70,000
Contact Heidelberg UK 020 8490 3500 www.heidelberg.com
GUK FA 74
This folding unit, which is distributed in the UK by M Partners, comes with two, four, six or eight folding pockets per station. The FA 74 is available with a round pile feeder, flat pile feeder or pallet feeder and has a maximum running speed of 160m per minute and a max sheet length of 1,440mm. It's a lower price than the T765, but there's no automation.
Max sheet size 740x1,440mm
Min sheet size 160x160mm
Max speed 160m per min
Price From £45,000
Contact M Partners 020 8647 5379 www.mpartners.co.uk
BAUM 30 AutoSet
Boasting a similar maximum sheet size the BAUM 30 AutoSet offers a fast set-up, while at the same time producing quality folds, according to the company. The folder is available in a number of different configurations with parallel and eight-page units available in four- and six-plate configurations.
Max sheet size 770x1,270mm
Min sheet size 140x180mm
Max speed 230m per min
Price Not available
Contact Binderhaus +49 (0)711 3584545 www.binderhaus.com
Shanghai Purple Magna ZYS780
This Chinese-made machine features four buckle plates on both the first and second folding sections and two buckle plates on the third folding section - the 10 units can be combined depending on folding requirements. The ZYS780 boasts a touchscreen display and has a double sheet and jammed sheet detector that monitors sheet travel and pauses production automatically if a problem occurs.
Max sheet size 780x1,160mm
Min sheet size 150x200mm
Max speed 160m per min
Price Not available
Contact Shanghai Purple Magna Machinery Company +86 21 54864145 www.sh-pm.com
