plockmatic 310 bookletmaker

[RafalWM]

I'm considering getting this unit for our offset department. Is it any good for the price range?
I know it's more of an entry model piece of equipment, but from looking at the specs, it would be enough for the jobs we do.

[Alex@Challenge]

The Plockmatic 310 collator was discontinued early last year - replaced y the 510C collator. I am assuming it is a used machine. Remember - this is a friction-feed entry-level machine. There are limitations to what it can reliably feed.

[RafalWM]

yes, it's a used machine. Are these limitations enough to disqualify it?

[Alex@Challenge]

Well...why not jot down what your expectations/needs for a collator are, and others (myself included) can provide you with suggestions. Please post stocks you will be collating, average run length, finishing process required (criss-cross jogging, bookletmaking, etc).

[RafalWM]

stocks would be around 130-200gsm, coated and uncoated.
average run length: 8000-10 000 catalogues (36 pages each)
finishing process: mainly bookletmaking

thanks for your help

[Alex@Challenge]

If the machine was in optimal conditions (clean, new feed rollers) and the stock was not very static-laden, you might be fine. I would not, however, suggest a friction-feed collator for running coated stocks in any measurable quantities. It may do it for a job or two, but it was not designed for it. If you can, look for a slightly more expensive suction-feed collator.

Good luck!

[RafalWM]

thanks for your help. We might not have enough spare cash at the moment for a suction-feed collator, because I've been really trying to pick up the digital printing we do here. However I'll give it a thought.

[Craig]

Look for a used Watkiss SlimVac, we've had ours about 5 years and run the crap out of it. Anything from 20lb bond to 100lb gloss cover, both offset and digital.