Ibis details Smart-binder capabilities

The Ibis Smart-binder system has been introduced after being developed for producing books and booklets from digitally printed sheets.

Ibis says that Smart-binder models SB-1 or SB-2 produce only saddle wire-stitched booklets.

The SB- 3 provides the choice of traditional saddle-stitched, or saddle cold-glued books and responds to the trend that cold gluing is becoming the preferred method due to increased book strength, better lay-flat and easier operation.

The SB-4 can also produce perfect-bound books up to 60mm thick, in addition to thinner saddle-bound booklets.

According to Ibis, high-quality books require side-trim (in addition to front-edge trim) which is a standard feature of all Smart-binder models (except the SB-1 where side-trim is optional).

Ibis said that if the system is to be used for short job runs or personalised books then it must be able to produce varying book thicknesses without having to stop for adjustments to be made.

The Smart-binder range can produce varying thickness books 'on-the-run'.

Should there be the requirement to produce different format sizes, which will determine how flexible finishing systems need to be, whether additional sheet folders or turners are needed and if the system needs to be changed frequently to produce varying book formats, it might mean an off-line finishing system is preferred.

Ibis adds that security and page integrity can be vital, for example, when producing exam papers or insurance documents.

This may influence the choice of system towards an in-line or near-line system where the continuous web offers a higher degree of document integrity than cut sheets.

Special extra sheet-tracking (barcode reading or cameras) may be needed.

Gluing may be preferred instead of wire-stitching to ensure sheets cannot be easily removed from the finished document.

At the same time, according to Ibis, the option for additional cover or insert feeders needs to be considered by users and the Smart-binder can be fitted with additional feeders, if required.

In addition, if a user is deploying in-line finishing, the printer speed will dictate the minimum number of pages in the book and whether any additional modules are needed, such as the optional F-100 folder for printer speeds higher than approximately 300 sheets per minute.

Ibis explained that for finishing with high-speed (continuous forms) digital printers, it is often preferred to link the Smart-binder in-line to the printer and web cutter.

In-line finishing usually provides the lowest cost and most efficient operation by reducing manual intervention and minimising time from printing to book output, adds the company.

Another option for CF systems is to use a near-line finishing system, where the printing process is roll to roll.

The printed roll is then unwound through a web cutter directly into the Smart-binder.

This has the advantage of being able to optimise running speeds independently for printing and finishing, but greatly extends the time between printing and book output.

It also breaks up book sequence which may be important for long-run personalised document production.

Off-line finishing means producing piles of printed sheets that are then loaded into a sheet pile feeder connected to the finishing machine.

This is ideal for finishing sheets produced from multiple printers, or when format sizes are changing frequently, due to the extra system flexibility.

Pile feeding also results in a loss of book print sequence unless the piles are turned over in between stacking and re-feeding.

When finishing using the Ibis Smart-binder some users prefer an in-line system, with an optional sheet-feeder on the side, which also allows off-line feeding (Smart-binder option SB-096).

According to Ibis the Smart-binder is most suited to weights between 60gsm and 110 gsm (18lb and 24lb bond).

For lighter paper weights the use of the F100 folder (to pre-fold the sheets before entering the Smart-binder) and the anti-static option ASS-100, are needed.

Pre-folding requires eight-pages per sheet (instead of four) and requires an extra glue system (in the folder) if using the ISG cold-glue binding.

Ibis added that the Smart-binder option list includes different types of binding (cold glue, wire stitch) the use of cut-out windows in the cover, dynamic sheet-perforation for page tear- out, hole punching or drilling, book stacking and pile banding, for example.

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