OBSCURE Srl, Torino, Italy
PRINTWEEK ARTICLE 10TH JUNE 2011
Star product: Obscure Maxima WS
By Noli Dinkovski Friday, 10 June 2011
Italian wire-binding line comes to the UK just in time for calendar season
The Maxima WS isn’t a particularly new machine, but it is new to the UK. The calendar line had already been available in Europe for four years when finishing kit supplier Don Valley Graphic Equipment took on the Maxima distributorship last year. Both the WS and its smaller cousin, the WM, are designed primarily for the production of calendars and double-loop wire-bound books. The machines are made by Obscure Maxima, an Italian company that had previously specialised in high-speed heavy-duty collators often used in the large-scale production of calendars.
What are the machine’s main features?
Don Valley managing director Derek Wood says both machines have been constructed from a "clean slate" and are not just re-hashed and improved versions of previous models. A feature shared by both lines is a removable binding unit, which allows for tooling changes outside the confines of the machine. The jogger has a pneumatic ‘square knocker’, which registers the product from the top, bottom and side, while punching comes with a fixed zero-point, so once any adjustment has been made, the binding station will adjust automatically.
What’s its USP?
Wood says both machines are constructed to the same high standards as Obscure’s collating machinery, which has proven to be able to withstand years of operation. "During the calendar season – June right the way until the end of December – these machines run continually," he says. In addition, Wood says Obscure Maxima is the only manufacturer in the world that produces both a calendar binder and collator, meaning there is a linked electronic interface between the two, something that isn’t possible with any other calendar production line on the market.
How quick is it?
The WS runs at 3,000 cycles per hour. Importantly, the puncher and binder are synchronised, meaning the binding speed will change as soon as the line speed changes. According to Wood, the WS isn’t a number of machines "pushed together with a transfer unit, but an all-in-one line". Touchscreen controls allow the operator to make adjustments quickly and an additional binding unit can be purchased so that makereadies can be completed while the machine is still producing the current job. Both the WS and WM make their own hangers on the run from straight wire lengths, which can be continually topped up during production.
What’s its cost and how many have been installed so far?
At the current exchange rate, the Maxima WS will set you back something around £166,500 (€190,000). The WM model starts at £100,800 (€115,000), though there is a special rate of £85,000 (€97,000) for the first three sold in the UK. As yet there are no UK installations, which is unsurprising given Obscure Maxima only re-entered the UK market last year.
What training and level of service support can users expect?
Wood has many years’ experience dealing in Maxima collators, and has personally inspected and tested the calendar equipment in Turin. However, he says the first few installations in the UK will be carried out by the manufacturer. "Don Valley is a pretty small operation; basically there’s myself and two engineers. We will need a while to get up to speed," he explains. "That said, it can be frustrating being an agent for Maxima – the machines tend to be so reliable you rarely get any work to do." Wood says there is no point holding any spares until the first calendar line goes in, but as soon as it does, he will put together a detailed spares inventory.
SPECIFICATIONS
Max speed: 3,000 cycles per hour (cph)
Max sheet size: 600x800mm
Min sheet size: 105x210mm
Pager weight: 70-900gsm
Wire diameter: 3/16", 1/4" – 5/16" – 3/8" Pitch 3:1" (3 holes every inch) 4:1" on demand
Footprint: 7,500x1,300x2,500mm
Weight: 3,500kg
Price: WS: £166,500 (€190k) WM: £100,800 (€115k) WM special introductory rate: £85,000 (€97,000
Click the PDF icon for a Maxima users opinions
MAXIMA HIGH SPEED SUCTION COLLATORS
FROM 35 x 50cm to 70 x 100cm machines, feeding from 60 to 900gsm stocks, with deep pile feeders with pre-loading options, 2 up collation with re-marrying unit rotary or inkjet numbering, gluing, programming, stitch fold trim units. Available from 3 to 21 stations, speeds up to 5,000 sets per hour the MAXIMA has no equals in power, productivity and build quality.
MAXIMA COLLATOR FINISHING OPTIONS
With options ranging from stitch fold trim systems, criss cross and standard joggers, double collation re-marrying units, deep pile offset stackers and custom built transfer units to link to other machinery. If there is a solution you need the MAXIMA systems have all the answers.
OBSCURE MODEL WM WIRO BINDER
The NEW model WM semi-automatic wiro binding machine can punch and bind all diameters up to 7/16". With interchangable punching tools with programmed cycling of 1, 2 or 3 punching cycles to every binding cycle. Touch screen program console resets binding length, skip binding and calendar hanger insertion.
MAXIMA AUTOMATIC CALENDAR LINES
With options for production of stitched, wiro bound calenders with or without folded headers, these integrated systems are the most adaptable and flexible calendar production lines ever designed and built.
Pictured above, model WS wiro binding line, Pictured below 180/360 line for cardboard head calendars.
An "EXERCISE" in lateral thinking!
OBSCURE MAXIMA have done it again, the new FABRIANO line will create exercise books up to A4 landscape, non stop up to 3,600 books per hour. A totally new concept using a round pile continuous feeder.
See the video!
