Janick Suter has worked at Müller Martini as a vocational trainer for automation technician trainees for twelve years. Together with half a dozen trainees from three different professions, he has designed a working model of the Vareo PRO at a 1:5 scale. In this blog article, he reveals what gave him the idea to build the world’s smallest perfect binder and where it can be seen.
The Vareo PRO model was created based on an idea of our Head of Human Resources Christa Leuenberger. She wanted something technical that would catch the eyes of skilled workers to present our company at technical colleges and career fairs. And so we thought about how we could make this idea a reality.
Right from the start, I knew that we didn’t want to build something static, but a functioning machine with moving elements to draw even more attention. We opted for the small-format Vareo PRO, because it’s the most compact perfect binder in the Müller Martini range, with a manageable number of functions.
Collaboration between three professions
Under my guidance and the guidance of Rudolf Egli, trainer for design engineering, half a dozen trainees from three different professions – automation technicians, design engineers, and precision mechanics – were involved in this exciting project. This was especially interesting for them, not least because they experienced live how important it is for different professional disciplines in engineering to work together. In our training program, we make sure to place a focus on real-life practice, and not just theory. After all, trainees learn much more when they are working hands-on.
First, they studied the Vareo PRO based on a 3D model in the CAD program CREO, as well as live at Müller Martini’s Print Finishing Center in Zofingen. After this, the design engineers put together a functional model including loops and clamps. In CREO, they scaled the guard and milling station of the perfect binder. A majority of the plastic guard (without the panels, of course) came from a 3D printer. The precision mechanics were responsible for milling additional parts, some at Müller Martini Manufacturing in Hasle, some at the plant in Zofingen. Finally, the automation technicians equipped the machine with a touchscreen control.
I always find it fascinating how the perfect binder can be operated using this mini screen. All functions are represented in the small-scale Vareo PRO. However, it isn’t capable of producing little books. That’s because it doesn’t have a gluing unit and commissioning one would have become too complex.
My coolest project
It was clear to see that the trainees enjoyed this project, which we took about a year to complete. And for me, this was without a doubt the coolest project with my trainees in my twelve years as a trainer at Müller Martini. We had never done anything like this before.
We do have interdisciplinary projects time and again. For instance, we built a puzzle cube with different professions for an escape room for the last career fair in Olten. But the mini Vareo PRO was definitely something completely new.
Most of the time, the small Vareo PRO is on my office floor. The factory tour for visitors at our plant in Zofingen also passes by it. We even take it with us when we present our company at technical colleges and career fairs, as well as on Insightday, a career exploration day held by six local companies in Zofingen. In sync with the model, a video taken by the trainees at the Print Finishing Center also runs.
Watch this video to see the model of the Müller Martini Vareo PRO perfect binder built to a 1:5 scale live in action.
“Can I buy one just like it?”
Speaking of the video, here’s an amusing story: A few weeks ago, Christa Leuenberger posted a 17-second video on our model on LinkedIn. In the comments, a dealer of used graphics systems quickly asked whether they could buy one like it. Of course, that’s not possible, but as I said before: Even in its original size, the Vareo PRO is one of the most compact perfect binders in the world.
Every now and then, my colleagues ask, “Got any ideas for more mini machines?” I don’t have any concrete plans yet. But it’d be really interesting to create a model of the
InfiniTrim trimming robot – which, together with the Vareo PRO, makes a dream team – and/or a Hunkeler machine, since the two companies joined forces last year.
Let’s see what comes of it.
Yours,
Janick Suter, trainer for automation technicians, Müller Martini
If you’re considering an apprenticeship at Müller Martini or want to launch your career at Müller Martini, I can’t recommend it enough. Learn more on our career portal Shape the Future – we’re always on the lookout for qualified talent!