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Building the modern book finishing plant with Meccanotecnica

Building the modern book finishing plant with Meccanotecnica
News
27 May 2024

A modern book finishing plant requires the latest technology, efficient processes, skilled personnel, and a commitment to quality and sustainability to meet the changing industry demands. From Book-of-One requirements to support personalization and customization, to shorter runs targeted at reducing warehousing, book-finishing equipment and workflows are changing.

As book production plants expand their formats and binding styles, it is essential to investigate what is possible today.

Meccanotecnica Group is leading the industry in supporting sewn book block production for offset, digital, and hybrid book producers and now offers options for perfect binding.

When included into a finishing workflow, these solutions bring efficiency and support, unlocking the new capacity brought to plants by high-speed digital print devices.

Today’s Book Manufacturing Market
For book manufacturers considering new investments, the data points to a market that is restructuring around shorter runs and faster turnarounds, so there is a reason to consider investing in equipment and workflows to support the publishers, adding short-run orders to their mix. The takeaway is that the book market is healthy.

While some segments may decline, there are pockets of continued growth. More than 10% of all book pages worldwide are now printed on production inkjet presses, a number predicted to continue growing. This technology allows publishers to capitalize on evolving demand, add customization options, boost productivity, and offer additional services. The rise of on-demand printing models also supports the publishers’ desire to manage inventory more effectively and respond to market demand swiftly.

Book Finishing is Your Differentiator
Meccanotecnica presents at drupa 2024 a complete multifunctional book finishing line.

With a combination of four fully automatic book finishing machines, the line unlocks the production of books in two binding methods: thread-sewing and perfect binding and multiple finishing options, such as softcover finishing or hardcover preparation.

This is the only finishing line in drupa that empowers bookbinders with such an extensive versatility and flexibility, together with a digital workflow allowing seamless production with finishing variations within the same roll.

Watch the video

Multifunctional book finishing line for digital printing.

Universe Web – continuous feed book sewer

Fed directly with a digital printed roll, the Universe Web produces thread-sewn book blocks. The reading of a data matrix code defines the recipe of the book, automatically instructing the machine on the variable number of sheets that composes the signature and the total number of sections within the book block.

The rest of the line performs the finishing as defined in pre-press through the reading of barcodes and the automatic retrieval of XML files.

Proxima – end-sheet tipper

The Proxima End-sheet tipper features an integrated 4-ton nipping press, an exclusive functionality that no other machine manufacturer can offer. The press makes a perfectly squared book spine, guaranteeing a premium quality production.

In the case of hardcover preparation, end-sheets are applied on the first and last page of the book for the hardcover application. In the case of softcover finishing, the process is bypassed, and the book block delivered to the SIRIO binder.

Sirio – Heavy-duty perfect binder

Book blocks are delivered to the SIRIO binder, showcased in drupa in its full option version, the automatic feeding reads the spine length and the book thickness to set up the binder on the fly.

A GigaLynx camera, located at the infeed identifies the job ID, retrieves the corresponding XML file, containing all the production information and activates the needed processes.

The reinforcing tape is applied on the spine, in case of hardcover preparation, or a softcover for paperback production.

Trimming – Three-knife trimmer

At the end of the line, the fully automatic three-knife trimmer performs the three-side cutting and completes the finishing process. Book format variability on the three dimensions is managed thanks to a new high-precision positioning system that automatically sets up the machine, allowing a completely hands-free digital workflow.

Book-of-one production

Pre-glued book blocks will be fed on the line to highlight its book-of-one capabilities and high level of efficiency with perfect binding. Books in one copy will be produced in both finishing methods to demonstrate the high level of productivity of the system.

Multiple finishing options – lay flat binding

The line is also able to produce paperbacks with an extra “lay flat” property, produced with the application of both the reinforcing tape and the softcover. This method allows producing paperbacks that lay flat when opened.

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