Perfect Binding

IBIS have built up close working partnership with different 'Perfect-Binder' (hot-glue binder) manufacturers around the world. This enables us to offer the optimum Perfect-Binder and customize this to meet each customer’s specific needs.

We can provide a Perfect-Binder directly connected in-line to the Smart-binder (saddle-binder) delivery to produce a ‘One-Stop Shop’ SB-4 system. This will deliver either saddle-stitched (or saddle ISG-glued booklets) up to 10mm thick, or perfect-bound books up to 60 -70mm thickness. Binders are available with either a single clamp or multiple clamps, to give book output speeds from 400 books/hour up to 2000 books/hour.

To produce perfect bound books, the Smart-binder SB-3 produces a sequence of folded and ISG glued ‘signatures’ either fed with digitally printed and coded sheets from a high speed web cutter or sheet pile feeder. Each signature can contain a different number of pages (variable on-the-run between about 16 – 32 pages, under automatic bar code control) which mean there are no more than 3 blank pages in the finished booklet. The signatures are then collected together (stacked) into ‘book blocks’ which are then fed automatically into the clamp(s) of the in-line perfect binder (or may be hand-loaded into the binder clamps if off-line perfect-binder is preferred, or loaded into an automatic book-block feeder).

Because the pages inside each signature are ISG glued together, there is no requirement for spine ‘milling’ in the perfect binder which reduces noise, dust and operator set-up time. A layer of hot melt (EVA) glue, or PUR glue, is added to the signature folded spines, after which side gluing and the outside cover sheet (with up to 4 scores) is applied. The finished books are then carefully delivered to the exit conveyor and transported to a 3-side book trimmer (either in-line or off-line).

The binding in this type of book resembles a ‘thread-sewn’ binding because each individual signature is visible. However instead of thread to hold the sheets together, the sheets inside each signature are attached together using ISG cold glue. This therefore provides a lower cost, and easier-to use process compared with thread sewing.

End sheet feeding and a back-lining (gauze) application are also available to allow bound book-blocks to be produced for subsequent case (hard-cover) binding.

Contact IBIS for a customized perfect binding system quotation. See Perfect-binder case study here