Integrated Bindery Systems

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Introduction to IBIS

Introduction to IBIS

Introduction from John Cracknell, IBIS Managing Director



John Cracknell photo

Opening quotation markDigital printing continues to grow at the expense of traditional offset printing and we are proud to be part of this growth. However, the full benefits of digital printing cannot be realized without suitable ‘print finishing’. The IBIS team are experts in addressing these needs and specialize in the integration of high-speed finishing systems with continuous-web digital printers.

Since the year 2000 when we introduced the first in-line digital saddle-stitcher, our IBIS products have been used for a wide range of different jobs, including production of booklets for examinations, health care, financial services, insurance, government printing, manuals and many other applications. These booklets may be individually personalized, often have to be produced in very short time windows and require 100% integrity control.

Our flagship product, the IBIS ‘Smart-binder‘ system is fast, reliable, durable, easy-to-maintain and contains many innovative design features such as the option of ‘ISG’ cold-glue binding in place of conventional wire-stitching, and many other USPs to give you competitive advantage. It may be used in-line with the highest speed printers, or near-line/off-line. We also excel in integrating diverse modules from other manufacturers to create specialized systems with unique and customized features.

IBIS Smart-binder

We are proud of our long-standing and continuing partnerships with all of the major continuous inkjet printer manufacturers and digital post-press suppliers. Over 100 digital-printers around the world are benefiting from IBIS book-finishing systems and many of these are ‘repeat buyers’. Our products are backed up with first-class customer training and support.

Our customer’s success is our own success!Closing quotation mark

IBIS Location

We are based 30 miles (48km) from central London and only about 15 miles (24km) from Heathrow international airport.

Cover feeder and Cover auto-loader
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IBIS installed products around the world


Map of IBIS installed products around the world

Smart-binder process description 02
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Why buy from IBIS?

Reducing your production costs

  • In-line or off-line operation
  • Up to 2600 pages/min throughput (up to 14,000 books/hr output)
  • Stitched and glued books up to 60mm (2.36") thick from the same machine
  • Low running costs

Personization and book integrity

  • IBIS digital finishing solutions allow rapid and easy personalization of books on the run
  • 100% page integrity with absolute page and book tracking assured
  • Accurate Management Reporting and diagnostics provide external control and visibility

Enhancing book quality

  • Individual sheet folding for better lay-flat of saddle-bound books up to 200 pages
  • ISG cold gluing available for increased strength and improved lay-flat
  • Three-side trimming
  • Square-backed perfect bound books (SB-4 only) with 4-scored covers and wheel side-glue
  • for guaranteed book page integrity

Providing support and customization

  • Highly skilled specialist field engineers
  • Technical support by phone and email
  • First level on-site support from digital printer vendors
  • Large range of special options and added value features
  • Special engineering to customize systems to your specific needs

Increasing up-time

  • Very robust, high quality machine construction for 24/7 reliable operation
  • Easy and quick to maintain
  • Focus on operator and maintenance training
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Smart-binder Output




Saddle-blued books

Saddle-stitched books up to 10mm (0.4") think

Saddle-glued books up to 10mm (0.4") thick - ISG cold glue

Saddle stitched and glued booklets

Square backed books

Square-back books made with cold and hot glue up to 60mm (2.36") thick

Square-back perfect-bound books up to 60mm (2.36") thick, hot-melt or PUR glue only

Square backed booklets
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Smart-binder System


Smart-binder Flow Diagram

Smart-binder process description 02

The Smart-binder systems are all based upon IBIS's unique saddle-stitcher which was launched in 2004. Models SB-1 and SB-2 produce wire-stitched books only. Models SB-3 and SB-4 also include ISG cold gluing.

The Smart-binder models SB-4 and SB-5 include an additional perfect binder for thicker 'perfect-bound' book production in addition to saddle-bound books. The SB-4 includes a perfect binder directly after the saddle-stitcher. The SB-5 includes a perfect binder which is separate from the saddle stitcher.

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Smart-binder Plus HS SB-1, SB-2, SB-3

  • For high-quality saddle-bound booklets
  • On-the-run' re-loading of cover sheets
  • SB-3 includes ISG cold gluing module to produce saddle-glued books
  • Upgradable to SB-4 or SB-5
Wire stitching

Smart-binder SB-4
One-stop-shop

  • For saddle-stitched booklets, saddlebound ISG cold-glued booklets and perfect-bound books made from ISG-glued signatures
  • In-line thick-book trimming
Wire stitching

Smart-binder SB-5

  • For saddle-stitched booklets, saddlebound ISG cold-glued booklets and conventional Perfect-bound books
  • In-line thick-book trimming
Wire stitching
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Smart-binder Features

  • In-line connection with highest speed digital printers, or off-line operation from a high speed sheet feeder, or roll unwinder
  • Individual sheet folding for optimum book quality
  • Cover and Insert sheet feeding
  • Bar code tracking of all sheets and auto-rejection of bad books, to ensure integrity.
  • Smart-Data Analysis System
  • Book page count variable on the run
  • Three-knife trimming with optional centre-knife
  • Heavy duty construction for 24 x 7 operation
  • Easy-to-use touch-screen controls
  • Complete range of book format sizes
  • Optional sheet dynamic micro-perforation and hole punching
  • Optional sheet buffer for in-line applications

Smart-binder Configurations

View Smart Binder configurations (In-line, Near-line and Off-line) on the Smart-binder Description page

View the Smart-binder Configuration and Options Flow Diagram on the Smart-binder Description page.

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Specifications


Map of IBIS installed products around the world

Smart-binder Range (Saddle-binding)

  SB-1 SB-2 SB-3 SB-4
Max. system speed (cycles/hr) 7,000 - Plus HS model
14,000 (with trimmer center knife)
Max book thickness 10mm (0.4") 60mm (2.36")
Min book thickness 4 pages (1 sheet)
Max book size 320 (spine) x 225mm (12.6 x 8.9")
Min book size 97 (spine) x 119mm, with center knife (3.8 x 4.7")
Min sheet weight 50 grams/square meter (40 grams with extra folder). 34lbs offset (27lbs with extra folder)
Stitching heads Max 4 heads - flat or loop stitch with 12mm (0.47") crown length. Round section wire 0.4-0.6mm (16-24 thou) diameter
Gluing system Not available ISG-cold glue ISG cold + hot melt glue
Trim Front knife: up to 27mm (1.06")
Side knives: up to 20mm (0.8")
Operator Interface Graphical touch screen with multi-languages for system set-up, operation and operator feedback

Sprint-binder Range (Perfect Binding)

  PB-600B PB-1500W
Max. system speed (cycles/hr) 400 1500
Max book thickness 60mm (2.36") 70mm (2.76")
Min book thickness 2mm (0.08")
Max book size 350 (spine) x 320mm (13.7 x 12.6")
Min book size 150 (spine) x 320mm (5.9 x 3.9")
Min sheet weight 50 grams/square meter (40 grams with extra folder). 34lbs offset (27lbs with extra folder)
Gluing system Hot melt EVA or PUR
Trim Optional book trimmer available
Operator Interface Graphical touch screen with multi-languages for system set-up, operation and operator feedback

Stretched Model Smart-binders

  SB-X SB-W SB-XW
Max. system speed (cycles/hr) 5,500 7,000 5.500
Max book size 444 (spine) x 225mm 320 (spine) x 273mm 444 (spine) x 273mm

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