A Tip for Better Cover Gluing on Perfect Binding Machines

Today we’re going to show you a solution to a common problem that affects operators of perfect binding lines. The problem happens after the cover is glued and applied to the book block.

As the book block travels along, the cover naturally wants to lie flat from its own weight. If there is side glue on the book, this opening action of the cover pulls the first sheet and the last sheet away as shown.

Hinge scores will sometimes help with the problem but not always. That’s because the weight of the cover opening on its own is usually not enough to break the score, even if it’s very strong.

One easy workaround to the problem comes to us from Rodrigo Castellanos of Technifold Mexico who also runs several perfect binding lines in his book bindery.

His operators use a cardboard edge protector that is commonly used in shipping. In the video we show how to position it to support the covers and thus prevent the problem. Although the perfect binder in the video is a large production machine, the concept can be applied to any size binding line which has an automatic cover feeder.

If you have other methods for dealing with this problem, please feel free to share them below.