What are Collators?
Collators are machines that process stacks of paper and organize them into piles. Collators can work in-line as part of a complete finishing system with stackers, bookletmakers, and trimmers. When working in-line, users simply have to attach machines and program their desired settings; this then becomes a fully automated process. Collators can also attach to copiers, laser printers, and digital duplicators. Very often, collators are expandable; more bins can be added to double or triple capacity. Choosing the Right Collator Speed, sheet capacity, bin size, compatibility with other machines, and quality of documents determine which collator is best for a particular operation. Another main consideration is the choice between suction (air) or friction collators. Friction-feed collators are better for one- or two-color jobs, where speed is a priority. Suction-feed collators are better for heavier, or coated, stocks. You can expect to spend anywhere between $5,000 and $14,000 on a collating
