Ferag has shown working, the entry-level inserting system it conceptualised at DRUPA… and launched an add-on to allow its high-end systems to accept unfolded sheets.
Industry media were shown the new MiniSert inserter at a special event in Switzerland yesterday. The system was seen in use at Ferag’s PMC training and production centre in Oetwil am See, 12 km from its headquarters and plant in Hinwil, near Zurich.
The MiniSert is seen as an easy and cost-effective entry into mechanised inserting, and is aimed at newspaper markets that have previously inserted manually, although their volume of inserts would justify a change to an automatic process. It also has the potential of being a component in a digital newspaper printing system, or to be located at a distribution centre.
Main components of the modular design are a hopper group, an inserting module and a stacker, which can be assembled and staff trained in a week.
Using a familiar rotary principle, the system runs at up to 20,000 products an hour, with a lap-opener synchronised with the rotary motion. Missing-copy control is integrated and finished bundles are removed from the stacker and strapped manually. Ferag says the hopper sector can be expanded in steps from two to four to six inserts using double InterHopper modules.
• Ferag also premiered the UniCover40, a flat-sheet feeder for its high-volume drum inserting systems. At about twice the speed of conventional systems, it can be connected directly to UniDrum systems.
The PMC Userpark is used to provide operators with training in a working environment. It offers courses covering everything from basic settings through format resetting when changing jobs, to precision adjustment. A separate gatherer-stitcher line dedicated to training allows intensive instruction.
Additionally workshops can address a customer’s specific needs, and Ferag says follow-up training to deepen and broaden know-how and skills should follow six to 12 months after the basic course.
Below: The Unicover 40 processes unfolded sheets at full speed