NXP Europe has completed the implementation of its direct-to-finish initiative with the addition of a Horizon BQ270V perfect binder and a Horizon CRF-362 creaser folder from Intelligent Finishing Systems.
The £3m turnover Tunbridge Wells digital print specialist is an HP beta testing site and runs HP Indigos, HP wide format systems and Scitex inkjet solutions.
Explains managing director Pete Doyle: “We have been working with HP on their direct-to-finish approach. We have three Indigos and we were at the point where our digital production was faster than our finishing. Logic said we either increased the head count or improved the equipment.
“We had a desktop perfect binder that was doing an OK job but needed something faster. We were having to meet fast turnaround times but were struggling to get work out.
“We are also very big on automation and an HP beta tester. HP said their systems are compatible with Horizon and we wanted to be able to take something and bolt it straight on. The BQ270V allowed us to do just that.”
The BQ270 has a cycle speed of 500cph and, as well as completing the entire set-up and fine-tuning, its intuitive icon-based colour touchscreen also accesses the on-board 200-job memory store. There is a controlled two-stage book drop to protect heavier books.
Continues Doyle: “We did look at other options but the Horizon was simple to operate and robust. It is a little like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut but often we are waiting for clients to approve artwork and then only have hours to complete the job. With the perfect binder we can finish jobs much faster.
“We had a job the other day that was 2,000 books. Before we would have sent that out but for the first time we were confident that we could complete it and finish it on time.
“We have another regular job where we print up to 40 different volumes. The spines on the books vary in thickness. With the variable set up of the binder this is much simpler. This has resulted in a massive improvement and we are 100% on time now.”
The Horizon CRF-362 supports the direct to finish approach as well: “We had some existing Duplo machines that served us well but wanted something a bit faster. There was some budget made available from finance and so in keeping with our focus on improved end to end production we chose the Horizon creaser folder. It has improved the speed of throughput.”
The Horizon CRF-362 creaser folder delivers high quality folded products on a wide range of light and heavy weight stocks, coated or uncoated. It creases on the top and bottom and set up is via a colour touchscreen.
Other systems were also considered but the compact design the Horizon CRF-362 was a deciding factor: “We didn’t have a lot of free space so needed something with small footprint. Its ability to also link up with our HP systems was also a big tick in the box for us.”
He concludes: “Both systems have enabled us to introduce the direct-to-finish concept throughout the business helping us to become more efficient and productive.”
