Rotator/Folder RF-100

The RF-100 Rotator/Folder is used with the Smart-binder to make smaller format books from a normal width (440 - 460mm) web, in-line with a web printer. This allows the normal ‘wide’ web to be used when making small format booklets, instead of having to change to a ‘narrow’ paper web.

View RF-100 Video

For example: to produce A5 booklets, print oversize A3 sheets with 8 pages on each sheet. These sheets will be delivered long-edge leading. The rotator folder then rotates each sheet by 90 degrees to short-edge leading. Each sheet is then folded in half to give an oversize A4 section with the folded edge leading. The folded sections are then fed into the Smart-binder, and processed normally.

Since sheets are folded into sections before entering the Smart-binder, and books can only be made from whole sections (8-pages per section), it is only possible to make books with pages in multiples of 8-pages, instead of the normal 4-page increments.

Folded sections are more bulky than flat sheets, so this technique may also reduce the maximum number of pages in the book.

Both the rotating and folding processes may be deactivated when it is required to pass sheets through the RF-100 without rotating or folding.

The RF-100 folder may be fitted with optional anti-static bars to reduce the static charge on the sheets delivered to the Smart-binder.

When using ISG gluing together with pre-folded sheets, then an additional cold-glue application nozzle must also be installed in the folder. This is required to place a line of glue inside the folded sheet, without which the finished booklet would fall apart. Two gluing options are available. Option FGS-100 simply applies a line of glue dots. Option FGS-101 applies a line of glue dots and also includes a separate UV sensor to detect the dots after they have been applied and stop the machine if glue dots are missing. See FGS-101 photo below.

It is not recommended to use the RF-100 for sheet rotation if the sheet weight is less than 60 gsm, or if sheet input rate is higher than (approx) 300 sheets/min. The RF-100 may be used at higher speeds when not rotating. For example, the RF-100 may be used without rotation to buckle fold each sheet and thereby increase the maximum web speed to approx. 180 -200 meters/min.

The total RF-100 length is 2180 mm (86").