Stockton multi-channel marketing and print specialist Alphagraphics has elevated its perfect binding productivity and flexibility with an Intelligent Finishing Systems-supplied Horizon BQ470.
Ryan Richardson, Bindery Manager, explains why the four-clamp perfect binder was chosen: “We needed to replace our perfect binding system and wanted to increase our productivity to meet our customer Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
“We have some Horizon equipment and looked for systems that would give us the speed the productivity we needed. We also liked the fact the BQ470 enabled a wider range of settings on the thickness and thinness of the book blocks.”
Also, an important factor was its ability to complete B2 and B3 work from the operation’s two Heidelberg litho presses and three Indigo presses. He adds: “It allows us to more flexibly handle a wider range of jobs.”
The Horizon BQ-470 four clamp perfect binder is ideally suited to mid-range soft back book production with higher production speeds, instant make readies for runs-of-one. It can bind up to 65mm (2.55”) thickness and offers fully automated set-up through an intuitive icon-based LCD touchscreen.
As for the impact the system has made since it was installed Richardson states: “We are pleased with the set up of the machine. It went in very smoothly and the training was good. We have doubled our productivity with the same labour and that is what we expected.”
