The Horizon Smart Binding System.
Leading UK book printer, Bell & Bain, has continued its investment in digital book production with Europe’s first Horizon Smart Binding System supplied by Intelligent Finishing Systems.
The Horizon Smart Binding System consists of four key elements; signature folding, stacking with pre-gluing of each book block, variable perfect binding with automatic cover and book block matching and variable three-knife trimming by dynamically reading a barcode on every book cover.
Technical sales director for IFS, Jason Seaber, said, ‘This white paper solution will enable Bell & Bain to go from paper rolls to finished perfect bound books of very high quality with variable format size and variable book thickness. This high-speed system sets a new standard in short to medium run digital mono and colour book production. Optional Horizon Signature Gatherers can also be added to this system to process offset printed signatures at binding speeds up to 4,000 books per hour.’
Managing director Stephen Docherty, said, ‘After first seeing the Horizon Smart Binding System at an exhibition earlier this year, I was completely blown away by the very high quality book binding being produced. It was simply the best binding quality that I have ever seen and the performance of the inline variable three-knife trimmer producing different format size books was truly phenomenal.’
The move follows the recent addition of a Fujifilm JetPress 540W colour inkjet web press, which has helped the company secure substantial growth in both digital and traditional offset printed books.
