Meeting A Growing Demand for Spiral Binding at BYU

Prior to 2005, Brigham Young University’s Print & Mail Production Center did its plastic spiral binding with simple, manual tabletop machines. Then the Provo, Utah-based in-plant sent some representatives to Print 05, in Chicago. There, they first laid eyes on the PLASTIKOIL Concept QS2 Dual Interline system, from Gateway Bookbinding Systems. It allows for the in-house manufacturing of plastic spiral binding, coupled with automated coil insertion and finishing. The idea of being able to manufacture their own coil and have it automatically inserted convinced them to make the investment in this system.

It “gave [us] the ability to produce jobs significantly faster with less waste,” remarks Bindery Foreman Kelly Sanderson—10 to 15 times faster, he adds. “It also allowed us to bring in bigger spiral binding jobs.”

The PLASTIKOIL Dual Interline system includes one coil forming machine that is connected to two automated coil inserters. It produces coil from spools of plastic filament in diameters from 1⁄8? to 11⁄8?, reducing inventory floor space. The coil is then transported to the 3000 QS inserters. The operator places the pre-punched book into position, the coil is driven through the punch holes and the coil ends are simultaneously cut and crimped. The next length of coil is then immediately brought into position for the next book. Production speeds with the Dual Interline can reach 1,400 books per hour with two operators.

In 2007, BYU brought in a second PLASTIKOIL Dual Interline system.

“It allowed us to meet the growing demand for spiral bound jobs from the LDS Church Printing Division as well as Brigham Young University,” says Sanderson. “This partnership with the church has been a great blessing to our organization, especially with the employment of our students.”

Though the in-plant offers other types of binding, like Velo binding, perfect binding and saddle stitching, the shop feels that plastic spiral binding will continue to be a great product, so its goal is to become even more efficient and provide even quicker turnaround times for customers.

Student worker Katherine Welch loads a lesson manual into Brigham Young University’s PLASTIKOIL Concept QS2 system, which manufactures and automatically inserts plastic spiral binding.