Watkiss Automation, of Bedfordshire, England; specialises in providing complete collating, bookletmaking and print finishing solutions for both offset litho and digital print operations in the graphic arts, inplant and general commercial printing marketplace. The company operates internationally, selling throughout the world. In the USA, Watkiss distribute through a variety of channels including regional dealers and a national distributor. At Print ‘05 Watkiss is looking to expand on existing sales and appoint additional dealers in some States. Exhibits at Print ‘05 include: The Watkiss DigiVAC Collating System The Watkiss DigiVAC offers a completely unique concept in collating and booklet-making - non-stop production. At the heart of this is the revolutionary patented suction feed system, which feeds sheets from the bottom of the paper stack. This means that the operator can reload the bins whilst the machine is still running, before the bins actually run out, so there is no down-time. Consider that a conventional collator may be standing idle as much as 50% of the time whilst the operator is reloading the machine, and the productivity gains of the DigiVAC are easy to see. It also reduces the capital outlay required. Until now, the only way to obtain continual running with a conventional collator, was to purchase double the number of feed bins or towers in order to allow bin linking or grouping. The DigiVAC collator can be fitted with online booklet-making systems featuring heavy duty stitch heads or staple heads using pre-formed staples, according to customer requirements. The Watkiss SpineMaster The patented SpineMaster sets the new standard for saddle stitched booklets. It takes traditional stitch-fold booklets and transforms them into SquareBack booklets which are flat and easy to pack, stack and handle. They have the superior appearance of a perfect bound book but with the security of a stitched spine. There is no risk of loose pages and you can print on the spine. The SpineMaster is available as an offline model, or as the Auto-SpineMaster which operates online to a wide range of booklet-makers. The Watkiss Vario Collating and Finishing System The Vario is the only truly modular (bin by bin) vertical collator in the world. This means that users can specify the precise machine configuration to match their particular requirements. Modularity also means that machines can be upgraded or enlarged at any time, with long term compatibility assured. A full range of ancillary on-line finishing equipment for jogging, stacking, stitching, folding and trimming are available. The Watkiss Document Finishing System (DFS) The DFS is the perfect solution for digital printers needing fast flexible finishing. It is a nearline multi-function finisher which operates as a sheet feeder, cover inserter & booklet-maker for electronically collated sets; or as a standard collator and booklet-maker for batch-printed sets. The DFS features a barcode reader and variable data option. This provides multi-level security verification of every sheet, set and document. It controls the insertion of covers and multiple additional sheets for customised sets. It extends variable data beyond the printer to the finisher; with the potential for each set or document to incude a different combination of additional inserted sheets.