Page 33 - PWM2023_MAY

PRODUCT PORTFOLIO

Star product
Fastbind Casematic a46a

A do-it-all semi-automatic casemaking system, says Barney Cox

How fast is it?
Quoted speed is 120 books per hour,
which is a third faster than other
Casematic machines. Price says that the
new features make it more like 50%
faster in the real world.
What is the USP of the product?
“Its USP is the ability to handle every-
thing, from one-offs to medium-length
runs, and to realistically only need to
print one copy rather than three to get
one book out,” he says.
“For some customers the deciding fac-
tor in an investment is not the level of
automation it’s the physical size.”

How easy is it to use?
“You should be able to make a book
first time. Spine width is set by the user
What does it do? Specifications between processes. putting the spine into a caliper. Aside
Fastbind’s Casematic a46a is the latest Case size From CD Users start by taking the case cover and from that everything else is determined
by the size of the book itself.
version of the Finnish finishing equip- cover up to registering it on the table, then a guide is
ment manufacturer’s semi-automatic 1,040x490mm used to apply the greyboards for the cov- “The response we’ve had from all the
hardcover casemaking machine. It is ers and spines. A guillotine on the side is demos is that this is an operator’s
designed to simplify the process of mak- Speed 120 cases per used to cut the corners of the cover and machine.”
ing hard covers over greyboard. hour then the cover is turned over using a
guide on the front of the machine. What training and support is on
When was it launched and what Price £9,995 Fastbind sells self-adhesive cover offer?
markets is it aimed at? papers suitable for printing with toner or “Operator training is key to getting the
Launched last summer, the a46a got its inkjet but it is also possible to use other most of out the machine and we are
first showing at last year’s Print Show, bindings including paper, cloth and happy to go back and provide further
with the first orders about to be deliv- leather by using a separate gluer to apply training if needed. It would be crazy to
ered. adhesive. install a machine and not show the users
“The main markets are reprographics How does it differ from previous how to operate it.”
departments and commercial printers
but they go into a wide range of users models? How much does it cost?
from self publishers up to corporations,” The a46a comes complete with stand, Price of the unit is £9,950, which
says Lewis Price, managing director of two movable side tables and a shelf, includes training and installation. The
UK agent Ashgate Automation. “The whereas previous units were tabletop
market is anyone who wants on demand devices. It features an adjustable light price is a step up of around £4,000 from
book binding from one up to a couple of table to aid positioning the cover, the the rest of the Casematic range.
hundred copies.” clamp that holds the cover automatically “It’s a bigger investment, but it is a
engages and disengages and there is a more intuitive machine that is suitable
How does it work? vacuum to hold materials in place and an for everything from one-off jobs to inter-
A series of guides and tools ensure that airbed to ease moving jobs around. mediate volumes.”
each stage of the process is accurate and Lastly, edge turning now uses a mechani- However, he argues that the price is
consistent, with the operator carrying cal clamp, and its operation is indicated still a third of more automated machines
out the actions and moving the case by LED illumination. with a similar throughput.
“Its USP is the ability to handle everything, from one-offs to medium-length runs.”

www.printweekmena.com May 2023 PrintWeek MENA 33