The system, comprising its predecessor Bourg BB3002 with the new BBL Book Loader, was launched at Drupa last year and shipments began in January.

It enables users to run the machine unattended for up to 30 minutes at a time, manufacturer CP Bourg claims, thanks to the BBL Book Loader which can handle up to 120 book blocks.

Customers simply need to load the corresponding covers into the cover feeder and set the job parameters to produce up to 350 books/hour, varying from 1mm to 60mm thick as the BBL Book Loader feeds into the Bourg BB3002, a self-setting single-clamp perfect binder.

CP Bourg director of marketing and branch operations James Tressler said: "Although printing environments today can be demanding and unpredictable, short print runs, fast turnaround times and rising labour costs are almost guaranteed.

"The BB3102 perfect binding system makes it possible for commercial and in-plant printers and specialty binders to address today's often complex and unpredictable workflows with a versatile system that replaces the monotony and inconsistency of manually-guided short-run book production with predictability and high productivity."

BB3002 customers can upgrade their machine by retrofitting the BBL Book Loader to create the BB3102 which can ouput bound soft books from both traditional and digital print streams.

Prices for the BB3102 start from £57,000.

TCS will also be showcasing the DigiFav laminator, a B2 automatic or handfed machine from Spanish manufacturer Bagel Systems, which the supplier became sole UK distributor for in June 2012.

Guillotines and creasing machines from CCM Premier as well as further CP Bourg products including the Bourg Sheet Feeder and Bookletmaker and a range of Zechini kit will also be on show at TCS’ stand at the event, taking place from 14-16 May at Harrogate International Centre.

TCS sales manager Dean Stayne said: "Our past experience at Northprint always influences on our decision to exhibit, especially in times where everyone struggles with tighter budgets.  The show has consistently provided us with the right audience for our products and is a great place to launch new technology."