Networking all production processes is becoming increasingly important, especially for short runs. That's why the
Master School for Industrial Bookbinding Technology in Munich has connected its Presto II saddle stitcher to the
Connex workflow system, which also comes from Muller Martini.
"We have to show the prospective master craftsmen and women where bookbinding technology is heading and the importance of finishing for the manufacture of attractive print products," says specialist teacher Wolfram Hohl – himself a trained bookbinder with a master's degree. He therefore lobbied for the Presto II saddle stitcher installed in Munich soon two years ago to be linked to Connex.
"In 2016, when I visited drupa, I really realized for the first time how important an automated workflow is. The networking of prepress, press and postpress with keywords such as barcodes, ASIR code and JDF/JMF is therefore promising for the future because print runs are, after all, constantly decreasing down to book-of-one and require automated, economical production with as little manual intervention as possible."
Nevertheless, even for the budding master bookbinders, manual labor is not completely out of the question. That's why the Munich technical college – the only one of its kind in Germany – opted for a Presto II as the successor model to a 321 saddle stitcher from Muller Martini. "Its data input is electronic," says Wolfram Hohl. "But basic settings are made by hand, which leads to a better understanding of the saddle stitcher."
This understanding is deepened as an ideal combination between theory and practice with regular visits to machine manufacturers. Wolfram Hohl recently visited the Print Finishing Center at Muller Martini with an entire class and, a month later, also with a colleague (see picture). They were not only interested in saddle stitching, but also in the entire machine park – especially since Muller Martini's Munich school also has a Ventura MC 160 book sewing machine.
"For us, it is always impressive to see so many machines for the most diverse segments of print finishing in such a small space," says Wolfram Hohl. However, the focus was not only on the machines, but, "It is even more important – especially with regard to short runs – to understand the processes."
On YouTube, you can find this image video (in German) from the Master School for Bookbinding Technology in Munich on the subject of industrial print finishing.