Producing a single hard casing in just 10 seconds, FiberMark Red Bridge is tipping its latest case-making machine as the innovation that will drive the growth of the on-demand book market.
The American-manufactured Prazicase SC2 is the first of a series of “new-generation” machines being launched in the UK. The semi-automatic machine is aimed at firms producing “one-off” cases, and can output around five cases a minute, or up to 300 per hour.
It can handle case heights between 170-4000mm, widths between 219-711mm and thicknesses between 1.5-3.2mm. An optional corner trimmer module is also available, handling case widths between 229-660mm. All product dimensions are measured by sensors and preset automatically.
The corner-trimmer option automatically trims the corners from the cover material during the case-making operation. The firm says it added this feature to streamline on-demand and short-run production, providing uniform corners, even on single runs.
Settings, such as corner trim requirements, can be edited on a touch-screen monitor, which the firm claims is not found on any other entry- or mid-level bindery equipment.
Cover gluing must be done on an offline gluing machine, and then the case-making process, including trimming the corners, turning all four edges and pressing the case, is done fully automatically.
As well as book cases, the machine can handle any turned-edge product, including menu covers, photo albums, folders, calendar backs and poster supports.
Priced at £55,000, the machine will be showcased at this year’s Drupa, along with the firm’s entry-level Prazicase EC3.
Specifications
Description: Prazicase SC2 “one-off” case-making machine
- Capacity: case heights of 170-400mm, widths 219-711mm, thickness 1.5-3.2mm
- Speed: a single case is 10 seconds or up to 300 cases per hour
- Features: semi-automatic, touch-screen display, measurement sensors, optional corner-trimmer module
- Price: £55,000
Contact: www.redbridge.co.uk
