At the recent 2025 Printing United tradeshow in Orlando, Florida, Müller Martini presented the Antaro Digital perfect binder and the GEN8 EVO roll-to-stack solution from Hunkeler.
The Antaro Digital perfect binder is a compact, extremely flexible machine. In the OnDemand mode, it achieves an output of 2,000 cycles per hour.
The Antaro Digital features a continuously running swivel clamp system. The book blocks are transported in horizontally, standing on their spines and are reliably retained by the six clamps, which are always fully open.
Furthermore, the large clamp pitch of 610mm ensures the continuous production of brochures with a block thickness variance of up to 20mm. The thicknesses are always changed over fully automatically.
The newly developed Antaro Digital can be used as a nearline or inline system, thereby covering a broad range of customer requirements. Thanks to its compact design, it realises a unique output rate over a comparatively small area.
In addition, compared to current single-book production solutions, the Antaro Digital achieves the same output with fewer than half the operators.
As for the GEN8 EVO roll-to-stack solution from Hunkeler, it aims to set new standards in production efficiency. This comes as Müller Martini acquired Hunkeler in December 2023.
With its robust design and increased speeds, it maximises the availability and performance of production. The efficient mode of operation ensures consistently high-end product quality, not only guaranteeing optimised productivity, but also a reduction in operating costs due to less waste and downtime.
The GEN8 EVO is characterised by its simple, ergonomic and intuitive operation, which makes job changeover and set-up more efficient. The innovative lighting concept of the status display provides immediate feedback on the operating status of the machine, making it easier to monitor and control the production process.
“By combining these new solutions from Müller Martini and Hunkeler, we will showcase the innovative strength of both divisions of our company,” Müller Martini North America president and CEO Andy Fetherman said.
“The Antaro Digital features the updated HC version of the line, including the end sheet tipper and mull station modules for the production of hardcover book blocks. We produced public domain books on the line that were donated under our charitable ‘Books for Schools’ initiative to local Orlando school districts.
“The new GEN8 EVO demonstrations build on the successful debut of the line at Hunkeler Innovationdays earlier this year. We also produced various products that appeal to some of the markets that are a bit new to Müller Martini like direct mail and transpromo customers.”
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