The key in post-press solutions

Likemany in its industry, the Austrian commercial printer Goldmann Druck AG facesmassive price pressure, alongwith demands for greater personalisation and increased added value. To stay competitive, Goldmann turned to RIMA-SYSTEM, a leader in the development and sale of turnkey post-press systems. The solutionwas a post-press systemconsisting of floor and overhead conveyors, two RS 840 double-streamtrimming lines, four stacking lines, RS 110 blocking units and cross-strappingmachines, four RS 600 log stackers as well as two palletising cells, with two RS 400 high-speed robot arms. The newsolution has greatly bolstered efficiency and productivity, giving the Austrian printer a competitive edge. Little wonder that somany printers are turning to RIMA-SYSTEM, a global leader in developing,manufacturing and installing turnkey post-press solutions that are reliable, efficient and simple to operate.

RIMA-SYSTEM markets and sells one of themost comprehensive lines of turnkey conveying, trimming, stacking and palletising solutions for printed materials available. These products are designed to operate at full capacity 24-7.

Stackers continue to be a mainstay of the programme. The RS 32 and the RS 36 are high-speed, high-volume stackers with three-stage upper bin and servo technology. All of the machines deliver reliability and low maintenance costs.With RIMA-SYSTEM’s intelligent OCS software, the stackers can process the exact number of desired copies.

RIMA-SYSTEM’s conveyors help to make press delivery, product orientation, space requirements and flexible post-press configuration compatible. The post-press specialist offers a wide range of floor and overhead conveyor systems in vertical, spiral and S-forms, thus ensuring that printed materials move along the proper route. It rounds out the programme with a comprehensive range of stream aligners, divert gates, and squeeze rollers as well as mobile conveyors, telescopic conveyors and safety covers.

When it comes to trimming, RIMASYSTEM offers plenty of value. The systems can make millions of cuts, with minimal maintenance and sharpening. The RS 830 is an all-inone line with multiple trimming units and one bump turn. Another all-inone trimmer is the RS 831, which boasts electrical format adjustment. RIMA-SYSTEM has tapped into the possibilities of robotics with its highspeed RS 400 and RS 500 palletising robots, delivering exceptional reliability and palletising efficiency. “One of our own developments was the invention of our software ‘PALETTI’ that achieves exceptional pallet quality and speed,” says Dr. Christian Tübke, son of the founder and managing partner.

Sometimes a stand-alone machine is not enough. In such cases, RIMASYSTEMcan develop comprehensive tailor-made solutions that reflect its ability to “think outside of the box.”

Modern production and assembly

Most of the products then sold by RIMA-SYSTEM are assembled at its plant in Mönchengladbach, Germany. Opened in 2001, the assembly plant and development centre employs 50 people, while the sales organisation employs another 100.

Revenue hit 40million EUR last year. According to Dr. Christian Tübke Jr., managing director, this reflects strong growth over the last few years. “We have installed more than 9,000 stackers and 150 palletising robot systems for the graphics and printing industries,” points out Holger Eckelsbach, marketing manager. The domestic market accounts for around one-fifth, while the remainder stems from sales in Western and Eastern Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Leading printers and graphic companies

Little wonder that some of the world’s biggest names in printing and graphic arts rely on RIMA-SYSTEM products to make their operations more efficient and profitable. Among its European customers are, for example, Almaz Press (Russia), Avarto Print Ibérica (Spain), Donnelley (Poland), Schaffrath (Germany), Goldmann (Austria), Janssen Pers (Netherlands), Neografia(Slovakia), Sego (France), and Roto Alba (Italy). Eastern Europe, in particular, is brimming with potential. “The list of potential clients is huge, numbering worldwide more than 8,000. The goal is not to bypass printing press manufacturers, like Heidelberg, MAN or KBA, rather we are striving to work with them as a stable and global partner. We are certainly among the top three in the world in this segment.”