Log Stacking

Blue Star and Franklin Web of the IVE Group have installed five Rima RS-610 logstackers, supplied by Graph Pak, to further optimise pressroom and bindery performance.

 

Darryl Meyer, Group general manager, Blue Star Web and Franklin Web says, “We now have Rima stackers across all our web-offset presses in our Blue Star Web Silverwater site, and we have recently commissioned two further logstackers at our Franklin Web facility in Huntingwood.”

 

The equipment is specifically designed for press automation, removal of manual handling and preparation of printed sections for seamless performance in the collation of magazines.

 

Meyer adds, “We wanted to improve press performance by eliminating press stoppages at the delivery and provide a quality product to the bindery, with both outcomes delivering improved speed to market and flexibility for our customers.

 

“We evaluated a number of suppliers and found that Rima equipment had the capability to handle a wide variety of different products, and along with local and regional support from Graph Pak it was ideally suited to our business needs.

 

“We are getting distinct advantages from the common platform of equipment, in that an operator can move from press to press and be dealing with the exact same workflow and setup.”

 

The Rima equipment has met all the performance criteria that Blue Star set out to achieve. Both Rima and Graph Pak have been trusted partners with IVE for many years.

 

Tom Ralph, owner, Graph Pak, says, “On the back of Blue Star installing their new web press in Silverwater, they also installed a full Rima postpress line and took the opportunity to update their other presses all to provide a uniform press room.

 

“We started this journey a year ago, installing on a number presses one after the other. It was exciting to see the last one finally commissioned, including the RS-610 logstacking equipment, and to know our equipment was making a difference.

 

“After careful selection of a variety of equipment from Rima, we’ve created a turnkey solution throughout the factory. Blue Star wanted to create a leaner and more automated press room, and we’ve been able to help them achieve this. Everything is common now, so one operator can multifunction, go to another press and the blueprint is the same.

 

“It was a smart decision to get the most out of the technology. Our technology is the latest and something that can’t be ignored. The industry is so competitive that businesses need an edge. Rima is on the front foot in leading postpress technology.

 

“Across the Blue Star Group, we completed five installations over the past 12 months, involving a team of engineers from Germany and Singapore over the period. However, we will be able to provide the service support for all the equipment locally, from Australia.

 

“Darryl has been instrumental in making things happen and understands the business better than anyone in the country. It was a pleasure working with him on our largest single order Rima installation ever.”