Me & My...

Cambrian Printers’ Brian Jones says he chose the Acoro A5 perfect binder for its versatility and the value it can add to customer relations

What is it and what does it do?
It’s a perfect binder. It gathers up book sections (up to 14 sections, notched or plain) into a book block. For perfect-bound jobs, the machine then grinds the back off and applies the adhesive. For notch bound publications, it just applies the glue. It attaches a cover to the glued sections, which then travel along a conveyor while the glue sets. The products are then trimmed to the finished size with a three-knife trimmer and delivered by a compensating stacker, ready for packing.

Why did you choose it?
We bought it to replace an older and slower binding line; a Tigra, also from Muller Martini.

Did you look at any other similar systems?
Yes. We looked at machines from Wohlenberg and Kolbus.

What features do you particularly like about it?
It’s very versatile and we are able to bind products with spines as narrow as 2mm.

What features do you wish it had that it doesn’t have?
PUR binding, although we understand that Muller Martini is currently in the process of reviewing this.

How easy is it to use?
If the operators attend Muller Martini’s recommended training course in Switzerland, it makes life a lot easier.

How fast is it?
Up to 5,000cph.

How reliable is it?
Like anything, if you maintain it, it tends to be reliable. Ours is well looked after.

What’s the quality like?
We get a good standard of both notch- and perfect-bound work off our binder.

How much time or money has it saved?
That tends to be measured more in terms of quality and the consistency of our products to our customers.

Has it helped you to win new work?
Yes, because of the quality it offers.

Do you think it offers value for money?
Yes.

Were there any difficulties experienced during installation or after?
No, none at all.

How good has the service been?
We are a bit off the beaten track here in Aberystwyth, so Muller Martini does not always respond as quickly as they would if we were in the London area, but we have experienced in-house maintenance staff and good operators.

Who do you think the machine is right for?
For any company that wants to produce good-quality perfect- or notch-bound work on runs between 500-20,000 copies regularly.

Would you buy another?
Yes, if our run lengths remain consistent as above.

Would you recommend it to someone else?
Yes.

CONCLUSION

User’s verdict
Speed ****
Quality *****
Reliability *****
Value for money ****

Supplier’s Response
Andreas Schillinger, managing director of Muller Martini UK, says: The advanced automation level of this 5,000cph unit puts it on a par with much faster machines when it comes to job change-over times. This makes it ideal for the smaller to medium-run operation where efficient makeready can make a
big difference to the bottom line.

Price £500,000-£750,000

Contact Muller Martini (UK) 0845 345 3588