Mid Volume Bookletmaker - opinions and options

[jotterpinky]

We currently have a CP Bourg BDF (Bookletmaker) with BST-d collators (2 towers, twenty bins). It has quite a few cycles on it and we've had quite a bit of trouble off and on for the last year. It's always been under service but lately we've been unable to do smaller CD size booklets on it. The collating towers have never done well on stock that is printed with dark colors...doesn't seem to see it very well and we've taken a customer that does a lot of calendar work at the beginning of the year that is all black borders bled to the edge. We've tried to have the technician address these issues to no avail. After spending close to $10,000 in parts and labor we're ready to call it quits with this thing.

At any rate we're looking for something to replace it. We're thinking of something along the same lines, possibly a Duplo 500 or similar Standard Horizon machine. Due to the problems we've had specifically with the service on the Bourg we're not looking for another Bourg. Does anyone have some input on what they've used that works like a tank?

Along the same lines what is the benefit of going with the upgraded collating towers e.g. the Duplo DSC-10/20 collators vs. the Duplo DC-10/60 pro towers? According to their website they look to be the same specs.

[MidwestPrinting]

We have a Standard Horizon MC-80... its been rock solid for us for about 8 or 9 years now. We have wanted to upgrade to the "VAC 100" but to be honest, we can't justify now it since we have had such good luck with this machine and the VAC is pretty pricey.

[CSimpson]

The BIG question is what do you consider high volume?