In 1918, two tradesmen started a small hand bindery in the back of a print shop in Corpus Christi, Texas/USA. Relocating to San Antonio in 1925, that business has evolved into Universal Bookbindery, one of the country’s most renowned trade book binderies, providing both hard- and softcover bookbinding services. Now, celebrating their hundredth year, Universal has positioned itself for future growth with Muller Martini’s state-of-the-art casing-in line, the Diamant MC 60.
Universal Bookbindery’s production runs the gamut from very small books to those measuring up to 12x14 and two inches in thickness. So it needed a casing-in solution that could accommodate thin-to-thick transitions smoothly and with less downtime. The 60 cycles per minute Diamant MC 60 does just that, while also simplifying the high-quality manufacturing of a wide range of print products. Operators prepare each run on a clearly arranged, user-friendly Tele-Commander touch screen, which they control and monitor. In addition, the Diamant’s motion control technology features individual servo drives that optimize motion sequences and automation.
Efficiency and innovation with the Diamant MC 60
Discussing this recent investment, Universal’s President, Trip Worden, remarked, “The Diamant replaces a Kolbus BF525 which has served us extremely well but now lacks the efficiencies demanded by our diverse product runs. It was critical that our new casing-in line has the same capabilities and features as the Kolbus, but also provides innovative enhancements, including very quick makeovers, particularly when changing trim sizes. Now, with the Diamant, complicated changes take about thirty minutes, and simple ones just ten—that’s down from an hour on our old line. There’s simply a lot more automation. The Diamant has more servo motors doing the work, resulting in less parts to change out.”
Partnership and customer satisfaction
Added Andy Fetherman, President and CEO of Muller Martini, “We are proud to continue our partnership with Universal and be a part of their continued success as a long-standing and reputable trade binder in the industry.“
Universal Bookbindery is also taking advantage of the Diamant’s variable thin book rubdown device that ensures that the block spine fits parallel to the case center strip, even with the thinnest products. “That allows us better control—and a more consistent end product,” said Mr. Worden.
Universal Bookbindery became more familiar with the Diamant MC 60 through some of its own customers. Explained Mr. Worden, “One of our niches is decorative-cover work for yearbooks. Some of those clients have the Muller Martini Diamant MC 60 line and are very happy with it.”
In terms of the installation, “It’s been a very smooth process,” said Mr. Worden. “The timelines were actually a little better than projected. We had three Muller Martini service technicians here in the beginning, and now there’s one who provides production support. All excellent. No complaints at all. And the training has been very good.”
Concluded Mr. Worden, “Casebound has always driven our business. This new investment in the Diamant MC 60 simply reinforces Universal Bookbindery’s commitment to the industry, our clients and our employees as we get ready to celebrate our 100th anniversary. We’ve always prided itself on our diverse product offerings, and the Diamant MC 60 represents an excellent addition to our capabilities.”
The Diamant MC 60: A powerful solution
Muller Martini’s Diamant MC 60 is available for both conventional and digitally printed books and produces at up to 60 cycles per minute. It represents one of the most powerful booklines available today with optimum automation capabilities and fewer changing of parts, resulting in shortest throughput times and highest profitability.