The TM5-900 collaborative robot (cobot) was first shown last year at Horizon’s Smart Factory openhouse, demo event livestreamed from the Horizon Innovation Park in Kyoto, Japan.

At the event, which featured demos of technology that had been slated to appear at Drupa, the cobot was demonstrated on a completely automated binding line, taking book blocks from the jogger unit of a HOF high-speed feeder and feeding them directly into the BQ-270V with no user intervention.

However, according to IFS it can run in a wide range of configurations including off-line, near-line and in-line with cut sheet digital engines.

Available now in the UK, the TM5-900 can support a production speed of up to 300 books per hour, and handle book blocks up to 40mm thick and in formats from A5 through to A4.
It features auto book registration and supports variable book production, handling book of one production with just a black mark and no need for a barcode, although it also supports barcode verification between the printing and binding process.

For complex jobs, the line can easily switch to manual operation where the BQ-270V has a headline speed of 500 cycles per hour and can handle blocks up to 50mm thick.

“The Robot Arm has been designed to offer a cost-effective operator-free alternative for operations completing simple, on demand, variable, short runs and runs of one,” said IFS managing director Eric Keane.

“It is ideal for production environments running a two or three shift pattern who are struggling with staffing issues. It is also an effective way to ensure social distancing measures are adhered to in busy binderies.”