In other words, the primary objective is cost reduction, mainly labor costs which are linked to factors which are seldom under the employee’s control (productivity, availability, flexibility). It’s also fundamental to reduce production costs and improve efficiency.

Keeping these concept clear in mind, CEM presented at Drupa 2012 two line of products, very different and yet aiming at the same goal: DocuConverter and "Connectivity".

DocuConverter:
With Drupa CEM confirmed once more the validity of the DocuConverter concept: a device which allows a drastic reduction of labor cost in the digital printed bound books’ production, by the automatic in-line execution of guillotine cut and book block separation. The new series, completely re-designed both mechanically and electronically, features numerous new functionalities which considerably enlarge the application field of the yet successful original line launched in 2006.

• Maximum input sheet size increased to 660 x 368 mm (26” x 14.5”)
• Management of numerous print layouts: 2-UP, 3-UP, 4-UP 2x2 (cross-cut), 4-UP 4x1 (triple cut), 6-UP, 8-UP, etc.
• Automatic format change in few seconds, to minimize set-up times between different jobs
• Full modularity to create the most suitable configurations tailored on the customer’s requests, or to gradually inmprove the whole line performance without forcing the end user into a big initial investment.

Like the original line, the 2012 DocuConverter family includes OEM versions destined to system integrators for the creation of advanced and completely automated production lines. To represent the modularity and versatility of the DocuConverter line, at Drupa were on display four different configurations, on three booths:

• DocuConverter 26” fed by CP-Bourg sheet feeder– CEM booth
• 6” stacking line (DocuStacker) fed by CEM MP601 cutter – CEM booth
• 26” cutting module (DocuCutt) fed by CP-Bourg sheet feeder and included in automated CP-Bourg Book Factory line – CP-Bourg booth
• 20.5” cutting module (DocuCutt, 2006 series) fed by Xerox Nuvera 288 digital printer and included in automated CP-Bourg Book Factory line – Xerox booth

Connectivity:
With this term CEM indicates a specific software-hardware tool destined to work in conjunction with booklet finishing systems (checque books, monthly payments, meal vouchers, etc).

Each unit on the production floor is now included in a network and a screen displays its current status and lag from the intended average production rate.

Various other parameters are displayed as well, such as the estimated time of job ending and the specific job number. The same information is accessible through a remote station via the Internet.

Finally, production data can be exported to create Excel spreadsheets in customized formats, depending on the specific department’s requirements. Such reports may include error logs with relative statistic data (error number, type, time for restart, etc).

The possibility for production managers to monitor production in each moment has been proven a powerful tool for improving productivity.

"Connectivity" needs 2D or QR codes to work. Such codes must be printed on the forms to be processed as the system does not access company databases.

The configuration on display in the exhibition showed also the capability of “Connectivity” to be extended in order to include production phases following the delivery of finished booklets, such as banding, wrapping and shipping.