Books Bound for Greatness
Printers generally like to talk about investments they’ve made in print technologies—offset or digital. Perhaps that’s because it suggests they’re doing well and that they’re investing in their customers’ businesses. Besides, talking about a slick, new machine that requires little to no makeready time and gets up to color with minimal effort is sexy. Well, comparatively speaking.
The clunkier “back-office” equipment found in the typical finishing department is perhaps not as provocative, but talk to most any book printer or trade binder, and they’ll likely confide that the bindery machines are the real workhorses. Indeed, investing in the bindery is just as important to book printers as buying the hottest, fastest print engine. And a more modern, efficient bindery ultimately equates to better, faster and less expensive books for the publisher.
“In all our plants, we’ve got both soft-binding and case-binding equipment,” notes Jules Roux, vice president of Transcontinental Printing’s Book Group. “We’ve made some major investments over the past five years for our three plants, in order to provide the marketplace with additional capabilities and to capture additional volume.”
Being able to control the job start to finish is also important to Transcontinental and other printers, who see outsourcing book finishing as somewhat risky today.
“We’ve always had the philosophy at Transcontinental to control our own destiny,” Roux confides. “So, we have all our own binding equipment inside. … And today, turnaround is such a key variable.”
Roux estimates that the company has invested more than $60 million in new technologies for the book group alone. “We bought a new plant, a new press, new digital equipment and new binding equipment, of course,” he explains. “… Obviously, with the Canadian dollar rising in value above the U.S. dollar, we have to be more effective, more efficient, in order to remain competitive with the U.S. market, which is our fastest-growing market.”
In addition to investing in binding equipment, finishing complements also are essential to book manufacturers hoping to compete as one-stop manufacturing shops.
Baltimore, Md.-based Victor Graphics, for example, recently made significant updates to its bindery. According to Kerri Edgar, a marketing and sales support representative for the printer, the company upgraded its Muller Martini Acoro A7 Trimmer by adding a three-knife attachment, and purchased new shrink-wrap, lamination and UV-coating equipment—all to gain greater efficiency and fulfill its customers’ needs for more economical products.
This year, the company also will purchase a new casing-in machine to support short-run, case-bound jobs.
Edwards Brothers’ Ann Arbor, Mich., plant installed a Hang drill, according to President & CEO John J. Edwards. “This allows us to drill three holes inline with one of the perfect-binding lines,” he explains. “[It] eliminates additional handling and allows the finished books to go into a carton and then ship.”
At Edwards Brothers’ North Carolina facility, a new Kolbus case-binding solution was installed. “This line will take folded sections and collate, apply endsheets, adhesive-bind the book, then convey it to the case-binding line to apply the dust jackets, and then put the books in a carton,” Edwards notes. “We can basically do in two shifts what we used to do in three.”
On the Digital Front
Some of the latest and greatest bindery technologies have been developed to support industrywide trends toward faster turnarounds, shorter print runs and, more specifically, digital print applications.
To support its digital operations, which includes Océ 7550 and Xerox iGen3 digital printers, Mattoon, Ill.-based United Graphics Inc. recently purchased a Standard Finishing System BQ470 Perfect Binder, according to Stan Freeman, vice president of sales and marketing.
“We have both offset and short-run digital printing workflows,” says Phil Knight, director of sales for Color House Graphics Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich. “On the offset side, we’re primarily upgrading some of our binding equipment. … We’ve purchased a new adhesive-binding machine with an inline trimmer for our digital division,” he adds. “… We are looking at additional material-handling options, too. The primary objective is eliminating labor while improving throughput. Book binding has always been a bit more labor-intensive than print.”
“IBT was the original digital book manufacturer, starting in 1991,” says Bob Lindberg, vice president, sales, IBT Global, Troy, N.Y. “We have evolved into the largest digital case-bindery, while keeping strong soft-cover capabilities.
“Recognizing the need for further bandwidth, we have worked with the German binding-equipment manufacturer Kolbus to improve the electronic and mechanical workflow of our digital binding lines,” Lindberg adds. “We have increased capacity to 60,000 paperback and 35,000 case-bound units per week. We are finding that the increased capacity separates us from the ‘digital dabblers,’ and allows major publishers to place significant blocks of work without hesitation.”
IBT Global and other book specialists have realized that publishers’ more aggressive schedules and evolving manufacturing business models require continued analysis and investments in finishing, as well as in the pressroom.
“In 2007, we installed the Xeikon 6000 to print low quantities of four-color books—25 to 1,000 copies,” Lindberg recalls. “By adjusting the two-shot gluing stations on our Kolbus line, we now offer a bona fide case-binding solution for short-run color books printed on coated paper.
“Moreover, we have recently installed GP2 lines to further develop our one-off, POD market,” he notes. “The new equipment enhances our short-run case-making, casing-in and building-in capacity, resulting in faster schedules for POD customers. Quantities below 50 run on the new GP2 line, and above 50 remain on the Kolbus.
“The bottom line is that … we have created an economical model for publishers to print one or 1,000 copies at the same high-quality level,” Lindberg explains. “… It is imperative that economical binding solutions keep pace with improvements on the printing front.”
Solutions on the Market
There are a number of solutions on the market to address publishers’ demands for quality book-binding needs.
Baumfolder Corp.
Solution: Baumbinder 1500
Features: Makeready clamps designed to ensure even pressure is applied, two applicator glue rollers, and a reverse roller that returns excess glue to the tank. It may be complemented by an optional air-float table for use with jobs requiring heavier stocks.
Solution: BaumBinder 200
Features: A single-clamp perfect binder that runs at speeds of up to 200 cycles per hour. It may be complemented with an optional cold-glue tank, wire side-glue device, a jogger at the feeding position, and a fume/paper chip absorber.
Book manufacturing customers include: Quad/Graphics, Maul Belser, ILTE
Contact: 937-492-1281, www.BaumFolder.com
C.P. Bourg
Solution: Bourg Binder BB2000
Features: An automatic cover clamping device, capable of binding documents as small as two sheets of paper up to 2.35-inches thick. This adhesive binder has been designed for short-run, on-demand applications.
Solution: Bourg Binder BB3001
Features: A single-clamp perfect binder designed to produce documents from flat sheets or signatures. It features two glue drums: The first is designed to increase penetration into the spine of the books, while the second is designed to apply a smooth, even film across the spine. An auto-adjust feature is designed to automatically adjust the carriage and clamping stations to register the cover exactly, regardless of page count and book thickness.
Solution: Bourg Single Clamp Binder BB3002
Features: Bourg’s most recent addition to its perfect-binding family, it is fully automated and designed to adjust to book block thicknesses ranging from 6 centimeters to 2.3 inches. It also features intelligent cover handling, including suction-guided cover feeding and positioning.
Book manufacturing customers include: Not available for publication.
Contact: 508-998-2171, www.CPBourg.com
Duplo USA
Solution: DPB-500 Perfect Binder
Features: The fully automated, single-clamp design enables output of up to 525 cycles per hour.
Solution: MR-720PUR Perfect Binder
Features: A single-clamp design that requires a single operator to run, the MR-720PUR outputs up to 600 cycles per hour.
Solution: Quadrimax II Perfect Binder
Features: Designed for on-demand medium to long runs, it processes up to 1,200 books per hour.
Book manufacturing customers include: Lightning Source, Taylor Publishing
Contact: 949-752-8222, www.DuploUSA.com
ExactBind Corp.
Solution: PBS-6000 Binders
Features: Produce soft-cover, perfect-bound hardcover books and hardcover lay-flat books. The series features multiple glue rollers, a vacuum to remove paper dust, and programmable controls for clamping pressure and dwell time.
Solution: Hard Cover Master
Features: Designed for creation of custom hard covers, from 3 inches by 3 inches up to 12 inches by 14 inches. Features centerline cover-registration control, a self-centering chipboard registration jig, and a vacuum pump to hold the cover in place during processing.
Book manufacturing customers include: Not available for publication.
Contact: 904-880-2206, www.ExactBind.com
GP2 Technologies Inc.
Solution: SC-2 Autocase
Features: A semi-automatic casemaker designed for generating standard edition or library corners. It is designed to enable switching between the two styles with the touch of a button.
Solution: EC-3 Autocase
Features: Designed for running all types of case-made or turned-edge products. Its “corner tucking option” is designed to automatically and accurately tuck the cover material during casemaking.
Solution: AC-20 Autocase
Features: Designed to automatically produce hard covers in runs of 100 to several thousand or more. It’s fully automated, requires nearly zero makeready time, and produces up to 20 covers per minute with a single operator, according to the manufacturer.
Solution: LC-10 Autocase
Features: Designed to automatically produce hard covers with library corners for short-run and on-demand case-bound books at a rate of up to 10 covers per minute. Its two sets of dies are designed to enable covers to be accurately positioned and folded.
Book manufacturing customers include: Edwards Brothers Inc.
Contact: 603.226.0336, www.GP2Tech.com
Heidelberg USA
Solution: Eurobind 500/500A
Features: Single-clamp perfect binders designed to be ideal for runs of up to 5,000. Binding glue is applied from form rollers that control the glue length—from 4.72 inches to 17.32 inches—at speeds of up to 500 cycles per hour. A central console controls device functions and features a pre-heating timer for the glue tank, a copy counter, production data display and an error-reporting system. For the Eurobind 500, format changes are done manually, while the 500A model enables automated format changing.
Solution: Eurobind 1200
Features: A four-clamp adhesive binder manually loaded with book blocks consisting of individual books or signatures. The solution’s sensor system is designed to ensure precise block feeding, and an integrated jogger aligns book blocks before the clamps are pneumatically closed. It features a conveyor and a four-station pile delivery station for finished books.
Book manufacturing customers include: Not available for publication.
Contact: 888-472-9655, www.HeidelbergUSA.com
Kolbus
Solution: Kolbus Perfect Binder KM 470
Features: With 21 or 27 clamps, it can operate at up to 6,000 cycles per hour when paired with the Kolbus Gathering Machine.
Solution: Kolbus Perfect Binder KM 473
Features: Fully automated and controlled by a touch screen. In combination with a gathering machine, it can operate at speeds of up to 8,000 cycles per hour.
Solution: Kolbus Perfect Binder KM 411 Family
Features: Automated adjustments, touch-screen controls, remote diagnosis and other quality-control measures. Depending on the model, it can operate at speeds between 12,000 and 20,000 cycles per hour.
Solution: Kolbus Casemakers
Features: Available in three models/configurations, featuring ergonomic designs, feeding and removal stations, and double-cylinder glue stations designed to distribute a thin, uniform glue stream—at speeds between 40 and 85 cycles per minute.
Book manufacturing customers include: Edwards Brothers Inc., Friesens Corp.
Contact: 216-931-5100, www.Kolbus.de
Mekatronics Inc.
Solution: Mekabind
Features: A self-adjusting, automated double-fan adhesive binder used for production of paperbacks, books, serials and tabloids ranging from 1/8-inch to 3.5-inches thick.
Solution: Versamatic
Features: Designed for one-off or ultra-short-run bindery situations, the all-pneumatic Versamatic can bind up to 400 book blocks per hour. Requiring a single operator, it is designed to self adjust for casing-in different sizes, thicknesses and types of paper. It can be paired with Mekatronics’ Centurion Building-In machine for a fully automated operation.
Solution: Ultrabind Plus
Features: Integrates milling, notching, double-fan gluing, notch filling and back lining into a single, automated, self-adjusting adhesive-binding solution.
Solution: Mekaline
Features: A fully automatic, self-adjusting perfect binder, capable of processing intermixed book blocks of different sizes, thickness and types of paper.
Book manufacturing customers include: Acme Bookbinding Company
Contact: 516-883-6805, www.MekatronicsInc.com
Muller Martini
Solution: AmigoPlus Perfect Binder
Features: Marketed as an entry-level solution best-suited for short-run jobs. It may be operated by a single person. It is adaptable to both offset and digital book production, and can bind books at speeds of up to 1,500 per hour.
Solution: Pantera Perfect Binder
Features: Controlled through a touch-screen monitor, it offers conventional hot-melt and PUR binding. The technology’s open-glue application system is designed to enable precise monitoring of the glue temperature and glue level in two-roller glue pots.
Solution: Acoro Perfect Binder
Features: Designed for medium- and short-run books. It’s controlled via a touch screen, or remotely via a networked
production-planning PC. The Acoro A5 and A7 models can be configured to bind in a variety of methods, including Swissbind, Swiss Brochure, Otabind, RepKower and English Brochure.
Solution: Bolero Perfect Binder
Features: Designed for production of perfect-bound books, magazines and catalogs—as well as the manufacturing of book blocks for case binding—the Bolero can manage binding of products with spine lengths up to 510 millimeters. The fully automated Bolero can perform one- or two-shot hotmelt, cold-emulsion, primer two-shot or PUR binding.
Solution: Corona Perfect Binder
Features: Capable of producing at 18,000 cycles per hour, and all functions and controls—job size, book hangout, glue temperature, production speed, etc.—are controlled by the solution’s Commander interface.
Solution: CoronaCompact Perfect Binder
Features: Also controlled by the Commander interface. It’s capable of running at 12,000 cycles per hour, and features a compact design created to save space and minimize the investment for the book manufacturer or bindery.
Solution: Ventura Book Sewing Machine
Features: Designed for the creation of high-quality book blocks bound for hard- or soft-cover finishing, it features a patented thread-looping system that works with the aid of compressed air. It is designed to shorten changeover time and increase efficiency. Up to three of these solutions may be linked to form the Muller Martini VenturaConnect Integrated Book Sewing System, which allows signatures to be gathered, stacked, and then turned into thread-sewn book blocks in a single operation.
Book manufacturing customers include: Dickinson Press Inc., Edwards Brothers Inc., Friesens Corp., Malloy Inc., Versa Press Inc.
Contact: 631-582-4343, www.MullerMartini.com
On Demand Machinery
Solution: Casemaking System
Features: Designed to support the on-demand hardcover market. Includes a Spreader, Slider, Stomper and Squeezer.
Solution: Sticker Casing-In Machine
Features: Designed to be self-adjusting and require no makeready time. A servomotor brings the two glue stations in contact with the book while the wing travels upward, designed to apply a uniform adhesive coating to the end papers.
Book manufacturing customers include: Perma-Bound Books, a div. of Hertzberg-New Method Inc.; Edwards Brothers Inc., Williams Printing Co., Paro Print Provider
Contact: 908-351-6906, www.ODMachinery.com
Rosback Co.
Solution: Rigo Lamibind 420
Features: A 16.5-inch semi-automatic perfect binder with auto-clamp, double notcher, high-capacity vacuuming system, auto nipper and auto returning clamp. The solution is capable of speeds up to 450 cycles per hour.
Solution: Rigo Millbind 420
Features: Also a 16.5-inch perfect binder, it offers the same features as the Lamibind 420, but is equipped with a spine mill that mills the spine up to 0.08 inches, and can bond folded signatures into a book at speeds of up to 450 cycles per hour.
Solution: Rigo Perfect Binder 420
Features: A 16.5-inch, fully automated unit with milling and double notching, capable of reaching speeds of up to 600 cycles per hour.
Book manufacturing customers include: Not available for publication.
Contact: 269-983-2582, www.RosbackCompany.com
Spiel Associates Inc.
Solution: Sterling Digibinder
Features: A fully automated perfect binder designed to self adjust on the fly based on book size. It features twin glue rollers designed to apply glue evenly, and is capable of perfect binding up to 360 books (up to two inches thick) per hour.
Book manufacturing customers include: Not available for publication.
Contact: 718-392-7900, www.SpielAssociates.com
Standard Finishing Systems
Solution: SB Series Perfect Binders
Features: The SB-07, SB-09 and SB-15 feature seven to 15 clamps—as reflected in the model names—can perform upwards of 5,200 cycles per hour (SB-15 model), and are capable of binding books up to 1.77-inches thick (SB-07 and SB-09 models) or two-inches thick (SB-15).
Solution: BQ Series Perfect Binders
Features: Include four clamps and can produce up to 1,350 cycles per hour. The BQ-460 model binds books up to 2.16-inches thick, while the BQ-470 model can handle books up to 2.55-inches thick and may use either EVA or PUR adhesives. The company also manufactures a single-clamp BQ-270 Perfect Binder, and the BQ-340X, single-clamp In-line Perfect Binder, which can be paired with a digital print engine.
Solution: CABS Series Perfect Binding Systems
Features: Available in two models, the CABS 4000 and CABS 5000, these adhesive binding solutions feature inline gathering and three-knife trimming.
Book manufacturing customers include: Arvato Services Inc., a Bertelsmann Co.; Pearson Education; Offset Paperback Manufacturers, a Bertelsmann Co.
Contact: 877-404-4460, www.SDMC.com
Saddle-Stitchers and Booklet-Making Solutions
Böwe Bell + Howell
Solution: BBH Booklet Maker
Features: The BBH Booklet Maker may be used in-line with digital print systems, or positioned near-line. The solution comprises high-speed feeders integrated with a dynamic booklet maker and face trimmer. It can accept cut-sheets or continuous-fed rolls, as well as both digitally printed or offset-generated jobs, producing booklets of varying sizes up to 4,000 per hour.
Book manufacturing customers include: Not available for publication.
Contact: 800-220-3030, www.bowebellhowell.com
C.P. Bourg
Solution: Bourg Document Finisher (BDF)
Features: When paired with a Bourg Suction Tower, the Bourg Document Finisher can produce high-quality saddle-stitched documents (from 5.5x8.5-inches to 8.5x11-inches) at speeds of up to 4,000 per hour. It is fully automated and features several quality-control measures, including path jam detection and document status reporting. It is not only designed to interface with the Bourg Suction Tower Collator, but may also be paired with sheetfed or roll-fed laser copiers and high-speed digital printing engines.
Solution: Signature Booklet Maker (SBM4)
Features: The SBM4 is a self-contained, fully automated finishing system capable of performing three operations in a single, modular system. Together with a Bourg Suction Tower, it can produce high-quality saddle-stitched documents—on both coated and uncoated stocks—at speeds of up to 4,000 per hour. The stitcher uses a patented self-threading stitching wire cassette, making for easy loading/unloading.
Book manufacturing customers include: Not available for publication.
Contact: 508-998-2171, www.cpbourg.com
Duplo USA
Solution: DBM-120 Bookletmaker
Features: When integrated with Duplo’s collating and trimming solutions, the DBM-120 Bookletmaker can produce up to 2,400 professionally trimmed booklets per hour.
Solution: DBM-120SxS (Sheet by Sheet) Bookletmaker
Features: When connected to Duplo’s Document Sheet Feeder and DBM-120T Trimmer, can produce up to 1,800 booklets per hour, and is designed to be an ideal finishing solutions for short and medium runs.
Book manufacturing customers include: Lightning Source; Taylor Publishing
Contact: 949-752-8222 , www.duplousa.com
Heidelberg USA
Solution: Stitchmaster ST 90/ST 100
Features: For short- to medium-run lengths, the Heidelberg Stitchmaster ST 90 and ST 100 saddle-stitchers feature heavy-duty trimmers, enable two-up production and output stitched booklets (and other types of stitched products) at speeds of up to 9,000 copies per hour.
Solution: Stitchmaster ST 350
Features: A professional-quality saddle-stitching solution for medium to large editions, Heidelberg’s Stitchmaster ST 350 outputs up to 12,000 units per hour, which may range in size from 3 3/8 x 4 inches to 12 5/8 x 18 7/8 inches.
Solution: Stitchmaster ST 450
Features: The Heidelberg Stitchmaster ST 450 is capable of delivering speeds of up to 14,000 cycles per hour.
Book manufacturing customers include: Not available for publication.
Contact: 888-472-9655, www.heidelbergusa.com
MBM Corp.
Solution: StitchFold Bookletmaker
Features: The StitchFold Bookletmaker products booklets up to 100 pages thick, depending upon variables in paper stock/weight. A single wire spool will generate up to 65,000 booklets, and the solution may be integrated with an in-line, optional face trimmer.
Book manufacturing customers include: Not available for publication.
Contact: 800-223-2508, www.mbmcorp.com
McCain Bindery Systems Inc.
Solution: McCain Model S2000 Saddle Stitcher
Features: Rated at up to 13,000 cycles per hour, the Model S2000 comprises signature and inline cover feeders; up to six stitcher heads; a three-knife trimmer or center-knife trimmer; and a compensating counter stacker.
Solution: McCain Model SMC Side Sewer
Features: A “standard” in the elementary- and high-school textbook markets, the Model SMC performs up to 290 stitches per minute on books with a maximum thickness of up to two inches.
Book manufacturing customers include: Not available for publication.
Contact: 800-225-9363, www.mccainbindery.com
Muller Martini
Solution: Valore Saddle Stitcher
Features: The Valore Saddle Stitcher is ideal for small- to medium-run lengths. It is equipped with a three-knife trimmer and may be outfitted with up to six twin feeders. Capable of rates of up to 6,000 cycles per hour, the saddle stitcher also comes with a key quality-control feature, a thickness control that will eject incomplete copies before they’re stitched, enabling rejected signatures to be reused.
Solution: Presto Saddle Stitcher
Features: For small to medium run lengths, the Presto Saddle Stitcher features a ridge caliper that measures thickness and guarantees that only complete copies are stitched and trimmed. A long-book detector also checks whether all signatures are neatly jogged up on the gathering chain, and incomplete products are automatically ejected for reloading, minimizing waste.
Solution: BravoPlus T Saddle Stitcher
Features: Operated through simplistic touch-screen controls, the BravoPlus T Saddle Stitcher is JDF capable, enabling it to be integrated as part of a printer’s total digital workflow. When equipped with Muller Martini’s Automatic MakeReady System (AMRYS), the stitching machine, three-knife trimmer and compensating stacker will automatically adjust to the correct booklet format.
Solution: PrimaPlus Saddle Stitcher
Features: The PrimaPlus completely automates the processes of gathering, stitching, trimming, inserting, film wrapping, address and palletizing printed units, including booklets and other types of stitched products.
Solution: Optima Saddle Stitcher
Features: Ideal for medium to long run lengths, the Optima Saddle Stitcher is equipped with a swing-cut trimmer and intelligent control and monitoring systems.
Solution: Supra Saddle Stitcher
Features: Muller Martini’s most recent high-performance saddle stitcher, the Supra is CIP4 compliant and produces at an impressive 25,000 cycles per hour for products up to one-inch thick.
Book manufacturing customers include: Dickinson Press Inc.; Edwards Brothers Inc.; Friesens Corp.; Malloy Inc.; Versa Press Inc.
Contact: 631-582-4343, www.mullermartini.com
Océ North America
Solution: DigiStitcher DST2
Features: The DigiStitcher DST2 supports just-in-time production of saddle-stitched booklets. It supports A4, A5, A6, letter and oblong formats, and accommodates papers ranging from 40lb. offset to 100lb. offset. It comes standard with three-knife trimming, and optional center-knife trimming and combination folders may be added.
Book manufacturing customers include: Not available for publication.
Contact: 773-714-8500, www.oceusa.com
On Demand Machinery
Solution: Super Sewer
Features: ODM’s Super Sewer was created for sewing short-run books printed on-demand. It features Back Tack Technology, which enables the machine to perform a reverse back stitch on the head and foot of the book block, ensuring a strong side sew that will not unravel, as standard side-sewn books tend to do.
Book manufacturing customers include: Perma-Bound Books, a div. of Hertzberg-New Method Inc.; Edwards Brothers Inc.; Williams Printing Co.; Paro Print Provider
Contact: 908-351-6906, www.odmachinery.com
Standard Finishing Systems
Solution: SPF/FC Series Bookletmakers
Features: The SPF/FC Bookletmakers are available in two models (FC-20 and FC-200A), and are used in-line with digital print engines to produce booklets of up to 80 pages or 96 pages, respectively.
Book manufacturing customers include: Arvato Services Inc., a Bertelsmann Co.; Pearson Education; Offset Paperback Manufacturers, a Bertelsmann Co.
Contact: 877-404-4460, www.sdmc.com
Gretchen A. Peck is a freelance author who writes about the international printing and publishing industries.
- Companies:
- Acme Bookbinding
- Baumfolder Corp.
- C.P. Bourg Inc.
- Color House Graphics Inc.
- Dickinson Press
- Duplo USA
- Edwards Brothers
- ExactBind Corp.
- Friesens Corp.
- GP2 Technologies Inc.
- Heidelberg USA
- IBT Global
- Kolbus America
- Lightning Source Inc.
- Malloy Inc.
- MBM Corp.
- McCain Bindery Systems Inc.
- Mekatronics Inc.
- Muller Martini
- Offset Paperback Manufacturers
- On Demand Machinery LLC
- Pearson Education
- Rosback Co.
- Spiel Associates Inc.
- Standard Finishing
- Standard Finishing Systems
- Transcontinental Inc.
- Transcontinental Printing
- United Graphics Inc.
- Versa Press Inc.
- Victor Graphics Inc.
- Xerox Corp.