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Watkiss Automation has been designing and manufacturing collating equipment since 1974. In 1991, it decided to put this wealth of knowledge into building the company’s first-ever vertical collator, the Vario. The Bedfordshire-based manufacturer packed a lot of its tried and tested technology into this machine, delivering what it claimed was the first collating system to offer bi-directional delivery.

According to the company’s communications director, Jo Watkiss, the Watkiss Vario "is the only truly modular vertical collating system in the world".

"Each feed station is a self-contained module. The modular design means printers can choose and specify, and can also upgrade when their needs change," says Watkiss.

For small businesses, the machine can be set up as a bench-top collator, while larger printers can choose up to 32 bins and add an online bookletmaking system.

Its modular design includes two types of feeder – friction or suction – two different base designs, each for floorstanding or benchtop models, three types of stackers and two types of bookletmakers.

Selling success
Watkiss has so far sold 600 Vario machines in the UK, despite stiff competition from the likes of Duplo, Horizon and CP Bourg in the collating market. According to Watkiss, the machine’s success is down to its flexibility. The design of the collator allows printers to mix friction, suction or SlimVAC rotary suction feeders in the same collating tower – in any configuration.

The entire system is centre referenced, so the feed is always balanced and central on the sheet.

"This has an added advantage when bookletmaking; the stitches are always central and don’t need moving when changing paper size," explains Watkiss.

Advanced features, such as flexible bin-linking, multi-set programming and batch insertion, are also available to users. The machine has a Graphical User Interface computer that provides integral control of the entire system from collating to stitching, folding and trimming.

As a result, it allows special feed sequences and selective feeding for mailing jobs – customised sets can be programmed on-screen. Integration with other third-party systems is also an option.

If attached to a bookletmaker, the operator can load the bins and unload the bookletmaker from a single position.

"The Vario also has far better ‘height efficiency’ than its competitors – meaning more bins are within easy reach. In fact, the top 16th bin on a Vario is of a comparable height to the 10th bin on other collators," adds Watkiss.

This makes for a space-saving machine that also saves time and reduces operator fatigue, according to the manufacturer.
The company frequently takes in secondhand machinery as part-exchange and puts used machines through a full factory refurbishing programme prior to re-selling. 

"Machines are also sometimes available from dealers and we are happy to provide an inspection report and quote for refurbishment, installation and operator training if requested," says Watkiss.

The Watkiss Vario, configured with 12 SlimVAC suction feeders, automatic stitch-fold and trim, a dynamic hand-merge station and criss-cross jogger has a footprint of 692x2,938mm. Expect to pay £47,924 for a new model and around 50% of this for a factory-refurbished machine.

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SPECIFICATIONS

What to look for

General wear and tear

Service history

Inspection report