The machine’s innovative Smart Press technology also delivers exceptional quality and very low operating costs

What truly distinguishes the EP/MC from competing systems is its innovative Smart Press motion control (MC) technology. Typically, some book blocks have a tendency toward wavy stock which in turn creates an increased risk of wrinkled end sheets. Smart Press significantly reduces the likelihood of this outcome since it provides a single action, continuous pressing force across the entire face of the book. The initial pressing action can be precisely controlled to relieve the surface tension between the end sheets and the book block prior to applying full pressure. This ensures that the pressing is firm and accurate, and that books are cased-in without bubbles or wrinkles.

The EP/MC Book Pressing and Joint Forming machine can also replace its aging counterparts on both legacy Muller Martini as well as Kolbus casing-in lines to reduce maintenance and utility costs and improve setup time and book quality. It can also be used to automate manual work cells in short run conventional and/or digital book facilities, reducing operating costs and crewing, while simultaneously stabilizing quality and raising throughput.

The highly automated EP/MC Pressing System produces the same quality book as Muller Martini’s popular Diamant MC bookline and can accommodate both flat back and rounded spine formats without the need for any exchange parts during changeovers.

The EP/MC upgrade also features a maintenance-friendly design, and its compact footprint provides excellent operator access and visibility into the interior of the machine. The machine has a total of five independent servo drives which eliminate mechanical linkages so more accurate and repeatable setups and quicker changeovers are the norm. What’s more, with only one hydraulic cylinder action per book, there is a significant reduction in oil leaks. The machine’s lower utility requirements for power and compressed air also cut operating expenses.

Jim Kaeli, Business Development - Hardcover Systems at Muller Martini, had this to say about one of the EP’s most underrated features—its affordability and scalability: 

“The economic landscape continues to be paved with cautious optimism. That said, the standalone EP/MC represents an excellent value because it’s a protected investment. It can be added to existing legacy lines or it can replace existing manual work cells. And, as a company’s business grows, they can quickly and easily expand into a full Diamant MC casing-in system.”

Muller’s Diamant MC bookline with Motion Control technology has built a solid base of satisfied customers. It is now at work in over 23 countries, with 38 installations within the United States alone. The machine supports a wide range of applications, including yearbooks, juvenile products and digital photo books.