The successful Zurich family business already installed a Bolero machine from Muller Martini two years ago. Together with the new Alegro machine, whose trademark is the innovative Motion Control technology featuring a separate drive for every station, the two make a strong perfect binding duo. “With two lines, not only do we have a backup but also a high level of flexibility, enabling us to provide our customers with faster delivery times,” says Peter Scherrer. On top of this, the managing director points out some of the striking technical advantages of the new Alegro: “Thanks to Motion Control, we now have shorter setup times and lower maintenance costs. In addition, we are also able to bind even thinner (down to 1 mm) and smaller sizes (down to 70 x 82 mm).”

Peter Scherrer (right): “With two perfect binding lines, we have a high level of flexibility, enabling us to provide our customers with faster delivery times.” To the left of him are Michael Scherrer, Trix Scherrer and Hansjürg Scherrer.

In addition to thinner and smaller products, the Buchbinderei Scherrer will also use its new Alegro, which will be put into operation in August, to bind digitally printed books, brochures and magazines with small print runs starting from 10 copies. Larger jobs and specialties (covers with flaps, Swiss brochures, open spine brochures and twinbooks) will continue to be completed cost-effectively in one pass using the Bolero machine that features a gate fold station and is connected to a Frontero front trimmer.

A crane lifts the new Alegro perfect binder onto the third floor of Buchbinderei Scherrer’s plant.

Scherrer is also putting into operation a Solit three-knife trimmer from Muller Martini in addition to the Alegro, which is situated behind a twelve-station gathering machine. The Solit impresses with the shortest of setup times in its class, consistent automation and changeovers without the need for tools. The innovative SmartPress technology, which has already proven its worth in the upper performance range, provides for first-class quality both in perfectly bound and saddle stitched products. “In addition, we can also take the pressing pads and cassettes from the Orbit three-knife trimmer behind the Bolero line to use them for the Solit machine.”

All stations of the Alegro are driven directly and controlled individually thanks to Motion Control. This reduces setup times and allows for maximum production performance in the shortest time.