Muller Martini will manufacture Scalable SigmaLine in its Allentown facility beginning in May. 

Muller Martini is relocating the manufacturing of Scalable SigmaLine from the Swiss factory to its Allentown, Pennsylvania production facility in order to better serve the growing digital market. InfoTrends, a market research firm that tracks the print industry, recently noted that the success of high-speed continuous-feed color inkjet devices has accelerated the growth of on-demand printing here in the United States, with books and direct mail projected to be the fastest-growing digital print applications.

Werner Naegeli, President and CEO of Muller Martini North America, summarized the move this way: “Right now, digital manufacturing is much more popular in the United States with some of its largest publishers and book manufacturers driving on-demand printing. So it makes sense for Muller to manufacture Scalable SigmaLine in our Allentown production center where we’re closer to the market—and closer to the needs of our customers.”

Muller’s SigmaLine technology significantly streamlines the production of one-off and short-run books, resulting in optimal productivity in the line. The Scalable SigmaLine system utilizes advanced workflow and control technology with interpreted bar code quality verification. As their digital demands increase, customers can integrate this technology into the complete SigmaLine system, which networks digital printing and finishing in one operation, enabling fully automated, end-to-end production from blank rolls to completed books.

Scalable SigmaLine components to be manufactured in the Allentown facility include:

• SigmaBinder. This four-clamp perfect binder with a measuring station uses lasers to capture the dimensions of the incoming book block. The measurements are used to automatically set the binder’s length, width and thickness dimensions in real time.
• SigmaTower. The Tower allows the adhesive to cool in a space-saving footprint prior to trimming.
• SigmaTrimmer. Three independently driven knife elements automatically trim books of varying sizes and thickness without any make-ready.
• Standalone SigmaTrimmer. Fully automated standalone SigmaTrimming. This standalone unit is designed for the finishing of both offset and digitally produced books in a one-off or short-run workflow. It also features the same zero make-ready and was specifically developed for book manufacturers that employ multiple entry-level perfect binders in their current digital production process.

Concluded Mr. Naegeli, “Muller has been a leader in the digital finishing arena for more than 15 years. And the technology has grown significantly, particularly of late, with faster speeds and wider webs. Having our Scalable SigmaLine production in Allentown will allow us to be even more responsive to this dynamic marketplace.”

Muller’s Allentown facility also features a Demonstration Center where customers and industry professionals can experience live demonstrations of Scalable SigmaLine technology.