The new Horizon StitchLiner Mark III at Precision Printing.
The need to enhance its fast response book production capabilities has seen London-based Precision Printing install a Horizon StitchLiner Mark III system from Intelligent Finishing Systems.
Capable of running at up to 6,000 books per hour (or 12,000 with two-up production), the Mark III StitchLiner can also produce A4 landscape booklets at speeds of up to 5,300 books per hour – an aspect that was part of its attraction to Precision, as demand for this format is increasing and was being met by a system that took significant production time.
Chris Pinborough, Precision Printing’s production director, said: ‘We needed a system that could deliver high quality, fast turnaround, short runs. In 2016 we went from running four to five jobs per shift to 20 to 25. Volumes have consistently grown since then and we needed something to manage that. Choosing the Mark III was easy. There is nothing else like it on the market. It is now running 35 to 40 jobs per shift.’
He added that the StitchLiner systems have so far been very reliable, running well and delivering the books at the necessary quality. The company expects it to pay for itself within 12 months.
The company first invested in StitchLiner technology ten years ago, with a StitchLiner 5500 with two VAC-600 towers. In 2016 it bought a like-for-like replacement. This new model also has a pair of VAC-600 collators. It is equipped with a 12.1-inch HD colour touch screen, and has quicker and more precise knife movement and variable thickness production as standard with new Hohner 52/8S stitching heads.
