True blue saddle stitcher arrives in Australia

The drupa releases keep on coming with the latest being the arrival of the Primera saddle stitcher from Müller Martini.

The release of the Primera marks the first showing in the region of Müller Martini's new laser blue livery that was introduced at drupa and the very latest design in automated saddle stitching technology.

Müller Martini Australia managing director, Livio Barbagello, said it was a vote of confidence in the local market that Australia had been chosen as one of the first locations outside Europe and Muller Martini's home base in Switzerland to receive the Primera. This also acknowledges the fact that Müller Martini Australia has good support and service facilities in place and is able to provide the necessary back-up for a successful launch, he said.

Müller Martini introduced the new saddle stitcher at an open house event in Sydney last week where it was demonstrated running two jobs, a 16-page A3 booklet and a 32-page A4 booklet with cover.

The model on show at the open house was the top-of-the range Primera E140 with four hoppers and folder feeder, three-knife trimmer and stacker. As a modular design, the saddle stitcher can be expanded to incorporate a range of options including up to 16 signature feeders, stream or roll feeders, inserting, wrapping and palletising units.

The E140 runs at a top speed of 14,000 cycles per hour and there are two other versions, the 110 and 130 that run at 11,000 and 13,000 cycles per hour respectively. The 'E' model is the most advanced in terms of automation and expandability but there is also a Primera C, a standard version with partial automation, and the entry-level Primera A with the least amount of automation.

Barbagello (pictured) pointed out that in designing the Primera, Müller Martini has paid a lot of attention to the ergonomics of the machine operation. Controls are easily accessible without any unnecessary stretching or walking by the operator and the large perspex hoods make the operation of the machine clearly visible and accessible.

New touch-screens and a set-up wizard make it easy for operators to enter new jobs while the E140 is also equipped with Amrys (Automatic Make Ready System) whereby the feeders, stitcher, trimmer and stacker are all automatically adjusted to the correct size of product. JDF connectivity is via Müller's Connex workflow system.

Barbagello is confident that the Primera will be a 'true blue' success in the local market, so much so that additional units have been imported into Australia meaning that the showroom model will stay in place long enough for everybody to see it in action.