August 25, 2003 -- Visitors to IGAS 2003 are witnessing Duplo Corporations’ latest range of finishing solutions for both the offset and digital markets. For the first time, the company is previewing its Duetto dual-line system which incorporates two DC-10/60 collating towers and a DSF-2000 dynamic sheet feeder. This unique combination offers printers that are making the transition from offset to digital the chance to incorporate colour content and variable data into their finishing solutions. The machine is running live demonstrations from pages produced on a NexPress 2100 on the neighbouring Heidelberg stand. The unique benefit of the Duetto dual-line system is the ability to handle either straight-stacked offset output or straight-stacked digital output, because the new Duplo DBM 500 is indifferent as to whether it receives the sets on a set-by-set basis from the collating towers or sheet-by-sheet from the DSF 2000 sheet feeder. For instance, sets that have been produced on conventional offset presses (1000 x sheet A + 1000 x sheet B, etc) are loaded into the collating towers and are collated and fed into the Duplo DBM 500 bookletmaker, whereas sets that have been printed and electronically collated on a digital print engine are stacked in the DSF 2000 sheet feeder which is attached to the rear of the collating towers. The electronically collated sets are fed in sequence, controlled either by optical mark recognition (OMR), bar-code or manual pre-set into the booklet maker where the sets are accumulated and then processed into booklets. Duplo’s new DBM 500 bookletmaker is optimised to receive the sets both on a set-by-set basis from the collating towers or sheet-by-sheet from the DSF 2000 sheet feeder. Therefore, printers using both offset and digital, need to invest in only one single booklet making system to process all their jobs. Also being previewed by Duplo for the first time at IGAS are: DB-50 Binder Duplo’s DB-50 desktop perfect binder provides an ideal solution for short-run and on-demand printing jobs. The DB-50 incorporates a range of features, such as the ability to bind documents of any size up to B4 with or without a cover. The DB-50’s IH heater ensures the glue is ready within five minutes, thus shortening make-ready times and eliminating unhealthy fumes. The user-friendly operation of the DB-50 makes the machine a cost-effective tool for the production of books and booklets. DF-920 Folder The DF-920 is Duplo’s new high-end folding machine. The machine offers high-speeds of up to 250 sheets per minute for A4 single fold format. The product also boasts an easy jam clearance function – by pressing the stop and clear buttons simultaneously, the folding rollers and stacker belts continue to move allowing the folding stoppers to move back into position releasing any jammed paper from the folding plates and passing it to the receiving tray. A noise absorber reduces noise dramatically not only when folding paper, but also when stoppers are moving. In addition, the machine provides a refold option - when switched on, it remembers previous settings which is ideal for maintaining job accuracy. Another feature of the DF-920 is the fold stopper fix function, which prevents the stoppers moving back into position once the machine is powered down and enables a faster start for folding jobs, and the ejection clutch provides faster paper feeding. An LCD panel alerts error messages by language and the batch function allows jobs to be suspended for 3, 5 or 10 seconds while the machine batches the folded paper. The product also incorporates a thicker processing function allowing it to secure stable folding of thicker stocks. In addition, the company will be showing a series of mailing systems including its Jemits machine which has been designed for envelope-free direct mail applications; a series of folders Duprinters, bookletmaking and collating systems and its benchmark product, the DC-545HC slitter/creaser/trimmer, which has been developed specifically for the production of digitally printed products. Dominic Quennell, vice president of global marketing for Duplo Corporation comments, “IGAS presents the perfect platform in which to preview Duplo’s range of modular finishing equipment. At Duplo we see it as crucial to help our customers to upgrade and tailor their finishing solutions dependent on specific business requirements and developments, which is why we have designed products which talk to one another - hence, when customers want to up-grade their finishing solutions, they can do so without replacing the entire set-up. “The exhibition also presents an ideal platform in which to showcase our latest product developments and demonstrate how digital finishing is becoming a required part of the printing process. Our new products confirm our continued commitment to the finishing industry – and will not only meet the UP3i standard, but also cater for digital printers as well as offset.”