Petratto is adding two new units to its Mitabook Pro binding line: one for rounding spines and the other for applying headbands. The Italian manufacturer of book finishing equipment is thus continuing to automate the production of hardcover books, even for runs as small as a single copy.
Two additional automated operations
One of the new units is dedicated to rounding, which involves shaping the spine of the book to a curved form?a finishing technique used particularly for traditionally bound books.
The other automates the placement of the binding strips?those small strips of fabric placed at the top and bottom of the spine, primarily for decorative purposes.
These operations typically require specialized equipment and can involve multiple handling steps between different production stations. Automating them is therefore particularly beneficial for print-on-demand facilities, where job changes are frequent and print runs are sometimes limited to a single copy.
Changes to the work without interruption
Launched two years ago, the Mitabook Pro can handle a variety of jobs without interrupting production. This feature is designed to meet the demands of digital printing, where orders can vary from one copy to the next in terms of both format and specifications.
This binding line uses a vertical, blade-free insertion system, which prevents marks and scratches that can appear on the inside of books during this process, particularly on photo books.
The case assembly also relies on hot-melt bonding, which allows the books to proceed directly to the next stages of finishing or shipping, without any waiting time after assembly.
The Mitabook Pro can also be connected to production management systems at printing and binding shops to coordinate jobs and their flow between different workstations.
