IFS, the UK and Ireland supplier of Horizon finishing solutions, will be demonstrating fast, smooth and efficient digital print production with the Horizon SmartStacker at its first Dscoop event – The Dscoop Open, Dublin, June 3 to 5.
Developed specifically by Horizon for HP to handle output from its B2 HP Indigo 10,000 digital press, the Horizon SmartStacker acts as an intelligent ‘bridge’. It converts complex B2 digitally-printed sheets into sets, book blocks or individual sheets and presents them ready for downstream processing – and all with no heavy-duty guillotine, folders or gatherers and without any manual intervention.
With a 4,500sph maximum production speed, it can register and slit up to seven sections in one direction and four in the other (all with gutters/bleed) to create up to 28 pages/sub-sheets (ie down to A6). The individual elements are then collated into the correct sequence at an intelligent merging station, which incorporates a dual pass conveyor. Although the system can be programmed via an HD touchscreen, it is JDF-ready and can automatically set itself to the requirements of the incoming sheets – even to the point where it can pick out and eject planned-in blank pages/sub-sheets not required for the end-product’s pagination. It can handle substrates from 65gsm to 400gsm.
Explains IFS Technical Director Alan Harrison, who will be attending the event with IFS Technical Sales Director Jason Seaber: “The HP Indigo 10000 Digital Press was developed to change the B2 print sector from offset to digital in the mainstream commercial print market. However, HP Indigo appreciated the press could not achieve this on its own and the finishing process needed to be changed to complement the press. The Horizon SmartStacker was developed to do just that.”
He continues: “Previously commercial digital printers had all been in the A3/A3+ format and the equipment required to finish the documents had been relatively straight-forward. Most products are A4 or A5 and it was easier to trim to waste for odd sizes rather than create another process or handle the work off-line. At B2 it’s a different story – each sheet can contain a complex imposition of pages and each job may comprise any number of sheets. This requires a different process in finishing to maximize the power of digital finishing. The SmartStacker eliminates the conventional guillotine cutting and signature folding processes and automates downstream processes for the B2 digital print market.”
It is the first time IFS has presented at Dscoop and Mr Harrison adds: “We are looking forward to being part of the three day event that will attract HP Graphic Arts users, HP and industry partners from around the world. It will give us an excellent opportunity to show attendees how innovative Horizon can be in meeting their challenges to help grasp and develop emerging opportunities. We @ Dscoopwill be able to share our technical expertise to help them find the solutions perfect for their business requirements.”
