Jamie Gibbons of Hobs Abingdom with the new binder
Hobs in Abingdon is the first branch of the Hobs Repro group to install a Fastbind PUR/EVA XT binder from Ashgate Automation.
This table-top binder provides both PUR and EVA melt glue for soft- and hard-cover binding in one machine, via interchangeable cartridges.
‘All Hobs’ branches have a Fastbind Elite XT EVA binder. We’ve been using ours for about eight or nine years and it works very well for the normal run of the mill binding requirements. We started to look for a PUR solution because we print and bind hardback books, high-end proofs and manuscripts for a local publisher,’ explained business manager Simon Davie. ‘Besides the improved quality of the PUR glue for the hard back books, we needed the superior strength and durability of the binding on the heavily used proofs and manuscripts as well.’
‘Ashgate recommended the Fastbind PUR/EVA binder, and we placed an order after we went to their showroom for a demonstration,’ he continued. ‘The PUR/EVA met all our requirements and was within our budget so we didn’t look elsewhere. It fits in well with our other finishing kit. We also use it in conjunction with the Fastbind Casematic casemaker.’
The new machine can handle virtually any binding job up to SRA3 or A4 landscape format, up to 45mm thick. Hobs mainly uses it for jobs up to A5. ‘It was an easy upgrade for the staff who had been using the Elite XT but as we had two new operators, Ashgate gave us a brief training course.’
‘It’s a simple-to-operate, robust machine which does exactly what we want,’ added Mr Davie. ‘We are having conversations with customers who use our Elite binding service, explaining its benefits. We expect it to bring in new business, particularly from students who require bound dissertations, which are digitally printed on our two Xerox machines – a 7700 and a Versant 80.’
