Print finishing system provider Muller Martini, Happauge, New York, has announced that thanks to the new variable block thickness VPN-Flex PUR nozzle from Robatech, the Vareo perfect binder from Muller Martini is capable of displaying its strengths in book-of-one production even better than before – and boosting its performance by 20%, as was experienced by the company’s first user of this technology, CEWE in Eschbach, Germany.

Since PUR is being used increasingly for runs of one copy and the Vareo is a solution for book-on-demand jobs, the Muller Martini three-clamp perfect binder is supplied with the newly developed optional VPN flexi-nozzle. That nozzle system was developed in close cooperation with Robatech. The previously used nozzle system – which was developed for the needs of conventional production – already boasted advantages, including precise and even glue application. Production in runs of one copy, however, also requires dynamic book thickness adjustment and corresponding compensation of the glue volume – that is the innovative nature of the new system.

A servo motor quickly and accurately adjusts the required application width of the slotted nozzle. The PUR glue, which is always fresh, is not displaced during the adjustment process and remains in the special nozzle chamber. Thanks to the construction, the glue cannot leak during adjustment of the application width, and it is always ensured that sufficient glue is available for the next gluing process. There is no need for cleaning at all in the nozzle slot area.

The new PUR nozzle system with proven melt-on-demand technology and a circulation system with flow and return retains all the advantages of the previous system, namely volumetric dosing, circulation for glue conveying, control via the machine display and the two-kilogram cartridge.

The new control system has further enhanced the evenness of glue application and the precision of the start/stop functions. The high adjustment speed of the application width – makeready for 10 mm width adjustment in less than a second – considerably increases the performance and quality (continuous uniform glue application with cross-checking by the LAK glue application monitoring system) of the Vareo, especially for book-of-one production.

Gerd Wild, division manager at CEWE in Eschbach where more than a million photo books are produced annually, said that thanks to the new PUR nozzle, productivity is 20% higher. This is especially important to CEWE since it specializes in runs of one copy and is reliant on high-performance systems, especially in the pre-Christmas peak season. The company feeds pre-selected products to the Vareo according to size, but not according to the thickness of the book spine.

Vareo users that have previously only produced using hotmelt can retrofit the new variable block thickness PUR nozzle with little effort following a feasibility check. It is also planned for the Muller Martini Alegro perfect binder.

For more information, visit www.mullermartini.com.

Meridian Adhesives Group, a manufacturer and custom formulator of adhesives technologies, recently announced the appointment of Brandon Willis to president of the company’s Electronics Division.

Meridian’s Electronics Division currently encompasses three companies – Epoxy Technology, Inc., located in Billerica, Massachusetts; Epoxies, Etc., located in Cranston, Rhode Island; and Epoxy Technology Europe, located in Marlborough, United Kingdom. Willis will work with Meridian leadership to advance the division’s technological reputation and further its focus of being a premier solution provider to customers.

Willis comes to Meridian from his 10-year tenure with Uniseal, Inc., a global sealants and adhesives supplier owned by LG Chem. Willis most recently served as president and CEO of Uniseal, Inc., while simultaneously holding the title of global sr. leader of adhesives business for LG Chem. Prior to this position, Willis worked as director of marketing and new business development for Uniseal, Inc. He also spent 17 years in the high performance coatings industry.

Michael Harrington, current president of Epoxies, Etc. and the division’s commercial leader, will transition to retirement as Willis moves into the new position.

Harrington leaves a notable legacy at Epoxies, Etc. Having founded the company in 1987, he has been instrumental in its significant growth over the last 30 years and the development of the expert team that will continue to drive innovation and technological advancement.

For more information, visit www.meridianadhesives.com.

Infinity^® Foils, Inc., Lenexa, Kansas, a supplier of hot, cold and digital stamping foils, makeready materials and decorative glitter, has reached an agreement with Mike Dolan, the owner of Foilsource, a foil supplier in Southold, New York, to help transition his business over to Infinity^® Foils, Inc. The relocation of Foilsource’s inventory and reassignment of customers was completed recently and moved to Infinity^® Foils, Inc.

Infinity^® Foils, Inc.’s recent move into a much larger headquarters facility better accommodated a partnership like the one Foilsource needed.

Dolan will remain in the industry throughout 2020 in a sales role to support his customers and their move to Infinity^® Foils, Inc. Going forward, all orders for Foilsource products will be handled directly by Infinity^® Foils, Inc. All inquiries should be directed to Infinity^® Foils, Inc. or Dolan.

For more information, visit www.ueigroup.com.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published COVID-19-related operational recommendations for companies in the critical manufacturing sector, including the plastics industry and the printing industry. This guidance is meant to supplement the general guidance offered by the CDC.

The recommendations cover topics that include:

• Assessing exposure risk among workers
• Creating a COVID-19 assessment and control plan for a workplace
• The use and effectiveness of cloth face coverings vs. N95 respirators
• Educating workers and supervisors on reducing the spread of COVID-19
• Cleaning and disinfection in manufacturing
• Screening and monitoring workers
• Managing sick workers
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Workers’ rights
• Aligning manufacturing workstations

CDC also has developed single-page flyers with recommendations and strategies for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in manufacturing facilities.

The first flyer includes key strategies for employers to prevent COVID-19 infection among employees. It is available at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-manufacturing-workers-employers.html.

The second flyer, available at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community/manufacturing-employees-fs.pdf, includes tips for employees to protect themselves and other from COVID-19 at work and at home. The fliers are also available in multiple languages via the URL listed below.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-manufacturing-workers-employers.html.

W.H. Leary Company, Tinley Park, Illinois, has launched its campaign “Better Ideas Driven by Quality” to the marketplace. Leary has been at the forefront of gluing and detection solutions in the paperboard packaging industry for 35 years and has been developing engineering solutions for over 90 years.

“Better Ideas Driven by Quality” expands on Leary’s ability to consistently develop an improved solution and approach, challenging both Leary and customers to develop more creative and efficient ways to operate. Quality will continue to remain at Leary’s core, delivering quality technology and solutions ensures the company’s customers’ product quality to their customers. Leary offers solutions to customers wanting to maximize their internal quality processes and deliver quality product to their customers.

Leary will showcase this new campaign through its focus to continually be “Solution Driven,” offering a product line that is built with the most proactive, advanced design for hardware and software durability, adaptability and efficiency. Products and services also will align with “Sustainable Productivity,” preserving the full health and wellness of plant operations.

“Safeguarded Software” will maintain carton quality as simple as possible with operator fool-proof features and intuitive job setup to safeguard product output from human error or machine malfunction – delivering immediate cost savings. “Industry Standard Service and Support” continues to align with customers’ needs, delivering attention to detail in all areas of the sales and support cycle, along with quick turnaround time, technical training and consistent process improvement measures.

Forthcoming are Leary’s two new controller lines, additional statistical analysis tools, perfecting precision engineered glue application and wider faultless quality assurance technology.

“It is a time to thrive in paperboard packaging, the way customers purchase gluing and quality solutions and the way the solutions perform is evolving. The most powerful solution Leary can develop challenges the human mind to create an automated process that gives back to customers in efficiency and quality output, while ultimately making for a more sustainable and lasting process,” Kevin Leary, president and CEO, W.H. Leary Co.

For more information, visit www.whleary.com/better-ideas-driven-by-quality.

Spiral Binding LLC, Totowa, New Jersey, a manufacturer and distributor of print finishing, graphic arts, and presentation products and services, has introduced the Royal Sovereign Sigmont 55H Heat-Assist Roll Laminator.

The Royal Sovereign Sigmont 55H offers a 55″ laminating width and has a heat-assist top roller to wet out presure sensitive laminate for perfect adhesion and application to media. With a laminating speed of up to 49.2 feet per minute, high grade silicone rollers and a top roller temperature of up to 140°F, it is ideal for production operations.

The Sigmont 55H has three rear slitters with micro-adjust feature for print separation of multiple up jobs. The front facing roller nip adjustment crank, foot pedal and rear remote control makes it easy to operate. The laminator has a roller on the front edge of the feed table and using the bottom media supply as a front feeder along with the rear integrated rewinder, enables roll-to-roll laminating.

For more information, visit www.spiralbinding.com.

PRINTING United Alliance, Fairfax, Virginia, the printing and graphic arts association, has announced the recipients of the 2020 Student Scholarship Award program. Supported by donations from endowment investors and industry leaders through the PRINTING United Alliance Foundation, the scholarship program provides support to students studying graphics communications and seeking a career in the printing industry.

The PRINTING United Alliance Scholarship program grants a total of $50,000 in educational assistance to students studying graphic communications for the 2020-2021 academic year. To qualify, students must be enrolled to attend a PRINTING United Alliance Educational Institution member college or university for the fall 2020 semester; be registered full-time (12 or more credits) and committed to pursuing a career in graphic communications, printing technology or printing management; and maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale.

“PRINTING United Alliance is pleased to present these hardworking students with this scholarship award to further support their education as they learn more about how to influence our great industry,” said Ford Bowers, president and CEO, PRINTING United Alliance. “We are heavily invested in supporting this next generation as they will be utilizing techniques and technology to help move the needle in all areas of operation. We are excited to see what the future brings with these young minds at the helm.”

The recipients of the 2020-2021 PRINTING United Alliance Scholarship Program Awards are:

Appalachian State University
Jazlyn Montague
Jaiden Gorniak
Collin Love

California Polytechnic University
Michaela Kwan
Erica Taylor
Elianna Oliver
Trent Kammerer
Samantha Kim
Aileen Vasquez

Clemson University
Cassandra Nicholl
Erin Clark
Natalie Weaver
Sarah Locklair
Caroline Keller

Illinois State University
Kalani Ferguson

Ryerson University
Jessica Huynh
Winnie Lee
Leen Bokr
Nathan Evangelista
Georgia Graham
Prudence Villanueva
Kaleigh Lueske

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
Eric Herb

University of Wisconsin – Stout
Julia Otten
Abigayle Gardiner

For more information, visit sgia.org/programs/sgia-scholarships.

Messe Düsseldorf North America, Chicago, Illinois, has announced that the duration of drupa, the world’s leading trade fair for printing technologies, will be shortened from 11 to nine days and now will be held from April 20-28, 2021, at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany. This decision is in response to the wishes of the partner association VDMA (Printing and Paper Technology Trade Association) and many exhibitors to make their trade fair presentation more efficient and to concentrate visitor traffic in a targeted manner. This is also in reaction to any continuing travel activities and restrictions.

“Since we currently assume that fewer visitors from overseas will be able to travel to drupa 2021, we consider a reduction from 11 to nine days to be sensible in order to manage visitor flows more efficiently. At the same time, the duration of nine days ensures that running machines can still be shown, which is a unique selling point of drupa,” explained drupa president Claus Bolza-Schünemann.

Despite some coronavirus-related cancellations, the current booking status remains at a high level with more than 1,500 exhibitors and a net hall space of more than 140,000 square meters. This once again underlines the industry’s confidence in the international appeal of the event and the need for face-to-face meetings, acquisition of new customers and live presentation of running machines. “Many of our customers also see it as their own responsibility to strengthen the industry and provide important impulses personally on site,” said drupa director Sabine Geldermann.

In order to guarantee a professional and safe trade fair as usual, drupa not only adapted the general conditions but also relies on a hygiene and infection protection concept that is continuously adapted to the latest coronavirus protection regulations and official requirements. Sabine Geldermann stated, “The character of drupa in 2021, due to the pandemic and hygiene regulations, will certainly be different from what we are used to, but it will continue to make a very important contribution to the economic recovery.”

For more information about Messe Düsseldorf’s hygiene and infection protection concept, visit www.drupa.com.

For more information on visiting or exhibiting at drupa 2021, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America at 312.781.5180 or info@mdna.com; visit www.drupa.com and www.mdna.com. For hotel and travel information, contact TTI Travel, Inc. at 866.674.3476; fax: 212.674.3477; email: info@ttitravel.net; or visit www.ttitravel.net.

PRINTING United, originally scheduled to take place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta on Oct. 21-23, 2020, now will move to a powerful online experience this fall due to constraints surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The health and safety of all attending and involved with the show remains paramount. The decision to terminate the in-person expo comes after extensive conversations, up-to-the-minute surveys and projections that the team has been navigating since the onset of the pandemic. Details regarding the new online event experience are forthcoming.

PRINTING United has met continuously with experts from the Georgia World Congress Center, the city of Atlanta, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security specializing in mass gatherings and local authorities on guidance and recommendations on best practices as related to all aspects of the event. Past attendee and exhibitor feedback highly suggested a willingness for companies to travel and participate in this year’s show up until very recently, when the state of re-opening projections and trends in COVID-19 began to shift.

“The decision to cancel this event did not come easily and we have waited as long as possible before costs and logistical implications to our exhibitors and attendees became irreversible,” said Ford Bowers, president and CEO, PRINTING United Alliance. “Many factors are unfortunately out of our control, including travel restrictions and federal, state and local governmental regulations, as well as the potential for another spike in COVID-19 occurrences. These factors, and the attendant uncertainties around them, have made it nearly impossible to responsibly hold the event.”

PRINTING United Alliance chief economist Andy Paparozzi said that, according to the consensus of economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal, they expect the American economy to grow robustly in 2021 — by its fastest pace in nearly 40 years. That will give the printing industry a big boost, flipping the mindset from cost reduction and survival to capital investment and growth.

“We have been humbled by the volume of exhibitors and partners who have wholeheartedly expressed the desire and need for PRINTING United to take place in order for their businesses to continue the progression out of this disruption, especially after such a successful PRINTING United showcase in 2019,” said Mark J. Subers, president, PRINTING United. “While we realize this is not the same as our cornerstone of being together under one roof, we feel it is the most responsible and beneficial move for all our constituents at this time. We remain committed to bringing the industry an experience like nothing anyone has previously seen before.”

For more information, visit www.sgia.org.