Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania — The first U.S. installation of Muller Martini’s recently introduced Tempo 22 saddle stitching system is proving to be a bindery record breaker. Fry Communications reports that after only two weeks in action, the new system has already surpassed the company’s fastest stitching times. The Tempo 22 appears to be poised to break additional bindery speed records at Fry, which is one of the largest privately owned printers in the US. “We’ve only had one operator who has had full training,” says printing plant manager Mike Weber, “so we’re still in a learning mode with the Tempo 22. Muller Martini support has been excellent, and their instructor is coming back to get additional operators fully up to speed.” Fry is producing a steady stream of trade publications, catalogs, consumer magazines, and professional journals on its new Tempo 22. It configured the system with twelve pockets, two cover folder/feeders, and inside/outside ink jet application. An identical Tempo 22 will be installed in January. The two systems represent all-new capacity at Fry, which required a stitching solution that could handle the signature flow from its new Goss Sunday 3000 wide web system. That press produces at the top rate of 100,000 impressions per hour. Weber believes his new Muller Martini stitching systems will have no problem keeping up. “The Tempo 22 is so fast and smooth that it can be running at 16,000 and it looks like it’s only reaching 8,000. And its makereadies are fast as well.” Fry finishing crews are particularly pleased with the high level of control the system’s computer-driven pockets provide. “Tempo gives you extra jets in each pocket so you can direct the air in more places to better control the signatures,” according to Weber. “The air blasts are automatically adjusted to match the speed of the machine as it ramps up or slows down. That means you don’t have signatures flying all over the place.” Fry operators also give high marks to the automated trouble-shooting and quality control technology on Tempo. For example, the front cutter on system’s trimmer is computer controlled, enabling it to adjust itself and inspect the results. “Muller Martini has built many useful features into this system,” Weber states. “We’re happy with it now, and its performance will only get better over time.”