At the Printing United Expo in Las Vegas, Muller Martini CEO Bruno Müller announced the 2023 launch of a new finishing line, the SigmaLine Compact. The Swiss manufacturer's new machine, which is expected to be available in 2023, is designed to allow printers with limited space to produce the bodies of digitally printed books, brochures and magazines.
The SigmaLine Compact will complete the range composed of the SigmaLine III a machine for coils up to 42 inches wide (1067 mm) that requires 2,000 to 3,000 m 2 on the ground.
This new SigmaLine, measuring just 40 m2, handles digitally printed rolls up to 22.5 inches wide (572 mm). It covers all types of finishing, says Muller Martini, making signatures for softcover, hardcover, thread-stitched and saddle-stitched books.
According to Muller Martini, the strength of the SigmaLine lies in its folding process, Muller Martini's patented air knife technology for handling signatures.
"We have continually improved the air-folding technology over the past few years and use the same technology in the 22.5-inch line as we do in the high-speed field." says Ingolf Fritzsche, product manager for digital solutions at Muller Martini.
When changing jobs, less than 10 m of striker is needed and the fold change takes only a few seconds.
Combined with Connex, the Swiss manufacturer's workflow, the finishing line ensures fully automated production without manual intervention from prepress to final product.
