GAE joint-managing director Bryan Godwyn explains: “Computerisation and automated set-ups have revolutionised modern finishing – no area more so than perfect binding.” GAE is the UK distributor for Horizon’s range of perfect binders, and Godwyn believes the BQ-270 has opened up on-demand book production to a new marketplace.

“Horizon’s latest model, the BQ-470, is the next step for those who have built a solid line of work using the single clamp system of the 270, but do not want added overheads or do not have extra space.”

At the high-volume end of the binding market, Muller Martini UK managing director Andreas Schillinger says PUR (polyurethane) glue has become a very sought after option. PUR glue is activated by a chemical reaction rather than through heating. “PUR is very strong and is good on difficult, more heavily coated papers. It also makes the book lay flatter and open with greater ease,” Schillinger explains.

As PUR glue reacts when exposed to air, it needs a different kind of application to hot-melt glue as the nozzles can become clogged. “The VPN nozzle system we use with perfect binders is very controlled and applies a very thin film to the spine of the book,” adds Schillinger. “With the application being so controlled, users save on glue consumption.”

Paying for strength
The saving is important as PUR glue is considerably more expensive than hot-melt glue. PUR also brings added strength to the spine of the book and so it is in demand for high-quality work. Many perfect binders have two glue units so that either type of glue can be used depending on the job.

Trimmers are also becoming more automated, due to customer demand, with most now having touch-screens for easier operation. Both trimmers and binders continue to be bought increasingly by printers that want to add finishing capabilities to their existing services.

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WHAT'S NEW IN... PERFECT BINDERS & THREE-KNIFE TRIMMERS
• Worcester-based printer Goodman Baylis has invested in an Acoro A7 perfect binder from Muller Martini. The investment follows a £1.5m spend last August, which enabled the firm to bring finishing in-house. The Acoro A7 can handle book thicknesses from 3mm to 60mm and has automatic changeover for book sizes. It is also suitable for the production of soft-cover books. The purchase replaces two older binders and, according the firm, has freed up approximately 2,000 sqm of space
• Diamond Print Services doubled its soft-cover book capacity. The Enfield-based trade finisher has installed two KM 473 Ratiobinders, as well as the latest ZU 841 gatherers and HD 152 trimmers. As part of the £2.5m spend, the company specified one of the perfect binders with a Cermi front-edge trimmer and the other with a book saw, for two-up production
• Muller Martini held an open day last week at its UK headquarters in Iver, Buckinghamshire. On display was its smallest perfect binder, the AmigoPlus