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Ultimate Bindery 5.8

A unique solution for creating and testing finishing workflows, says Simon Eccles

and other factors. It then interprets the JDF
file into the required format for the finish-
ing devices. “It is the glue between the
devices, not the decision-maker,” says
Watson.
She says: “It understands the needs and
requirements of the individual finishing
devices and translates the finishing and
setup data for each device. This can be one
or multiple devices in a chain – for instance
folding, stitching and trimming. In such a
workflow it also understands the changes
that the printed sheet goes through and
takes account of that for the different
devices.”
Although Ultimate has its long established
and sophisticated Impostrip for imposition,
What does it do? Ultimate Bindery was originally introduced Watson says that an imposed JDF file from
Ultimate TechnoGraphics is a long-estab- as a concept at Drupa 2008. This could only any source is treated the same, and there
lished Canadian developer of imposition drive one device at a time. Today’s latest are no extra features hidden in Impostrip
software, called Impostrip. Its Ultimate version 5.8 can drive more than 60 differ- output.
Bindery is a standalone ‘middleware’ Specifications ent devices, and can manage complete fin- By setting up whole sequences of finishers,
software solution designed to fill the Function Finishing ishing workflows and/or inline finishing and allowing for the changes in size format,
information gap between pre-press and workflow middle- options. t’s particularly intended for auto- etc, at each stage, Bindery can save a lot of
finishing. It can take any JDF-imposed ware for JDF impo- mating the setup of short runs, web-to-
job and complete it in one stage with the sition files print, hybrid printing, variable data effort in individual setups, and also avoid
necessary parameters needed to auto- printing, on-demand books or transactional common points of error. Thus, says
matically set up a whole sequence of fin- Platform HTML5 printing. Ultimate’s CEO Julie Watson says Ultimate, it saves time and labour effort,
ishing equipment such as perfect binder, accessed by web that anyone with a supported finishing allows more jobs per day to be produced,
saddle-stitcher, cutter, slitter-creaser, browser device could use it. However, she says: “Its and reduces waste and remakes. There’s a
three-knife cutter, etc. Drivers More than greater value comes from an environment long list of more than 60 drivers for finish-
The job only needs to be defined once 60 covering CP with an increasing number of short-run ing devices (too long to list here, but you
and then there’s no need for separate pro- Bourg, Duplo, jobs with varying setups, or an environment can read it at https://bit.ly/49cdd09),
gramming of devices including complex Horizon, requiring process standardisation, or even including mostly specific models plus a few
sequences for guillotines. This includes Meccanotecnica, in a facility where staff shortages are a chal- generics that can be adapted. Ultimate
support for short-run work with variable Microcut, Muller lenge.” The idea is to remove as many Technographics works with the manufac-
cutting lengths. Martini, Perfecta, touchpoint processing steps as possible. turers to develop drivers tailored to their
The company calls it “the glue between Plockmatic, Polar- How does it work? specific capabilities. Although not central
pre-press and finishing”. It says: “It pro- Mohr, Schneider Ultimate Bindery is locally hosted as an ‘on- to its purpose, Ultimate Bindery can also
Senator,
vides a data stream enabling the auto- Scissorhands, premises solution’ which connects directly return some operating data from produc-
matic setup of a device or devices, from Tecnau, to finishing devices, and in some workflows tion machines to a collection point such as
same or different vendors, from one fin- Wohlenberg also connects directly to the presses. The an MIS.
ishing step to many. It works with user interface is HTML5 so Ultimate
Imposition programs and workflow solu- Bindery is set up and controlled via web What’s the USP?
tions capable of delivering the correct browsers. Multiple levels of access privilege
input format. It is designed to be an open, can be set up for different users. In opera- “Ultimate Bindery gives the ability to the
vendor-agnostic solution.” tion it takes imposed JDF data from user to test a combination of post-press pro-
upstream and validates it as suitable for the cesses, creating, custom finishing building
When was it introduced and what intended finishing devices, taking into blocks that are also re-processable through
markets is it intended for? account the imposition, sheet size, press Ultimate Bindery,” says Watson.

“It is the glue between the devices, not the decision-maker.”

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