What does the machine do and who is it targeted at?
The E220 is the latest incarnation of the Muller Martini Tempo saddlestitcher, which first entered the market back in 1997. It’s aimed at the high-volume A4 magazine, brochure and catalogue market.

It will typically sit inline with a trimmer, stacker and an Integra inserter, running at 22,000 copies per hour. Stream feeders and unwind stations are also required. Muller’s Connex information system records production data and links it back to an MIS.

What’s its USP?
Muller Martini UK managing director Andreas Schillinger says the Tempo sits just below the ultra high-speed saddlestitchers, like Muller’s own Supra, but retains the high level of automation necessary for more specialist magazines.
Schillinger claims the Tempo is ideal for "trickier jobs" like half-pages, stitched-in products and merchandise tipping. The E220 can have up to four stitching heads, meaning smaller booklets can be stitched into magazines – a trend in the glossy magazines market. Muller Martini claims the machine saves energy when in use as well as on standby as components are deactivated as soon as the machine stops.
    
What improvements have been made on the previous Tempo model?
The CIP4-compatible machine has had a number of upgrades, many of which have been taken from Muller’s Primera range, says Schillinger. One noticeable addition is Amrys, Muller Martini’s own automated makeready system, which enables the saddlestitcher, along with the feeder, trimmer and stacker to be automatically set to size and synchronised in a "matter of minutes".

To save energy, the loading process and compressed air supply are now automatically switched off as soon as the machine stops. Compressed air energy use has been reduced by 25% and is only deployed to feeders that are in use.

How easy is it to operate?
The introduction of touchscreen control makes the programming of jobs easier and there are also smaller, ‘local’ controls, so the operator doesn’t have to run back to the main screen each time to make tweaks.

According to Schillinger, the modern-day operator needs a different mindset to the operator of old. He says it’s less about "fixing and tweaking" jobs and more about understanding machine performance from the data supplied. Muller Martini has a data management tool called Optimiser on all of its saddlestitchers. Optimiser monitors performance and highlights any parts of the machine that might be prone to higher than expected failure rates.

Schillinger says Tempo also reduces physical demands. For example, the feeders sit on top of the chain, allowing the operator to access moving product at the feeding station. It’s a design that also saves space as no connecting conveyor is needed.

How much does it cost and what impact has it had so far?
Prices for the E220 start at £1m for the basic model. There have, thus far, been no UK installations in what Schillinger concedes is a market where most new machines are bought as replacements. However, it’s early days and Schillinger says he will be happy to sell one or two per year.

What level of service support can users expect?
The E220 can link online to Muller Martini’s new MMRemote service, which the manufacturer says can reduce downtime in emergency situations by up to 50%. In most cases, Muller believes malfunction can be traced back to operational or settings errors, which can usually be resolved immediately by advising the operator.

Should a callout be required, Muller has 21 engineers on hand in the UK and can normally get one to a customer within 24 hours. Schillinger says "substantial stocks" of spares are kept in the UK, but that if a part is needed from the Swiss headquarters, it is shipped and delivered in a day.

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SPECIFICATIONS
Speed 22,000cph
No of stations up to 40
Max stitching size 320x260mm  340x260mm
Number of stitching heads 4 (HK75 VS), 3 (HK 85 VS)
Price From £1m, additional inline equipment extra
Contact Muller Martini GB 0844 875 4590

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ALTERNATIVES
Goss Pacesetter 2200 Goss International introduced the 22,000cph Pacesetter 2200, along with its 25,000cph Pacesetter 2500 cousin, in late 2006. Like the Tempo, both Pacesetters feature servo-driven components and are available with up to 40 horizontal or vertical feeding stations. With a reel-to-saddlestitch option and the ability to mix reels and folded signatures, a 2200 operates with a single stitcher, while a Pacesetter 2500 uses a dual stitcher to achieve the higher output. The machines can be equipped with a Goss flying trimmer or Ferag SNT-U trimmer.
Speed 22,000cph
Number of stations up to 40
Price from £600,000
Contact Goss Graphic Systems 01772 257571

Ferag StreamStitch Launched in 2004, the StreamStitch is said to be based on technology that’s been used in gatherer-stitcher drums for many years. While perhaps more of a rival to Muller Martini’s Supra than the Tempo, its ability to handle medium-length runs means it encroaches on the commercial print sector. When producing magazines, the inserting drum is used as a gathering system and glossy covers can be merged with topical sections off a newspaper press.
Speed 40,000cph
Number of stations up to 3
Price £250,000
Contact WRH Marketing 01279 635657