Canon launches a new generation of booklet-finishing modules for its digital toner presses, the BLM435e and BLM450e. Developed with Swedish manufacturer Plockmatic, these two inline models replace the BLM35 and BLM50, and integrate with the imagePRESSÂ V1350, V1000 and V900 color presses, as well as the varioPRINT 140Â Quartz monochrome presses. They are designed for low-to-medium-volume digital production environments, around 30âeuros000Â booklets per month.
The most visible evolution concerns the formats supported. The BLM435e and BLM450e accept sheets up to 660 mm (previously 460 mm), enabling booklet production in A4 landscape format, in addition to conventional portrait formats.
In terms of capacity, the BLM450e handles up to 50 sheets of 80 g/m2, or 200-page booklets, while the BLM435e stops at 35 sheets, or 140 pages. Both finishers also offer corner and edge stitching functions for documents such as folders and presentation materials.
Plockmatic's signature square fold can also be used, giving a glued square-back finish. A positioning mechanism makes it possible to adjust the position of the staples and fold during production.
This new generation features the new DFD+ interface. This interface enables direct communication between the press and the finishing module via high-capacity stackers or Canon stitching modules.
The system automatically retrieves paper format information from the press and adjusts settings without operator intervention. Switching from one format to another is thus carried out without manual re-entry.
Another new feature is the dynamic management of booklet intervals. The module informs the press as soon as a booklet is finished, immediately triggering production of the next one and limiting downtime.
Job queue management has also evolved, with support for heterogeneous series in terms of format and pagination.
Both models feature a 7" touchscreen interface and a bias correction system to improve bending precision.
Canon also offers two optional modules: the FM400e adds head trimming and square fold functions, while the RCT module combines rotation, creasing and trimming for full-bleed printing on small formats.
