EFRE R&D Collaborative Funding
The project, a joint effort between partners SID and Post Print Leipzig GmbH (PPL), aims to develop a machine that uses cotton thread to bind folded pages, replacing the galvanized wire used in traditional saddle stitching. The binding will be finished with a knot created by the machine. This process is known as knotted thread stitching.
The current market situation in print finishing, particularly due to the increasing share of digital printing in overall production, necessitates the processing of small print runs. Therefore, a flexible solution with short setup times for producing customized products is required. To achieve this with knotted thread stitching, a completely new machine concept must be developed, featuring automated setup and adjustment functions, operator support through integrated sensors, and inline quality monitoring. Furthermore, for marketing purposes, individual design and innovative elements are desired to attract attention, something that cannot be achieved with wire stitching. This is especially true when – as with knotted thread stitching – an innovative product with excellent usability and high quality can be created.
The ongoing trend toward sustainability means that producers and customers want their printed materials to have a low carbon footprint. This process fulfills that requirement, because by avoiding glue and wire staples, resources are saved and subsequent recycling is facilitated.
The grant is provided from funds from the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE) and from tax revenues based on the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament
Project duration: September 2025 to August 2027