What is the intelligent level of improvement in the binding line?

Paperback Binding Line with Green Technology and Short-Run Capabilities

    Chen Jijun, General Manager of Pinghu Yinghou Machinery Co., Ltd.
        With the rapid advancement in printing technology, post-press processing has evolved toward digitalization, networking, and integration. Postpress equipment is now moving toward automation, optoelectronic integration, and intelligent control. The paperback binding line, being a critical component in bookbinding, follows this trend closely. Pinghu Yinghou Machinery Co., Ltd. (Yinghou Machinery) is a leading provider of post-press solutions in China. In recent years, the company has developed several advanced lines, including the 8000 binding line, 7000 linkage line, 5500 glue binding linkage line, and the 5500A full servo binding linkage line. At the recently held 5th China International All-India Exhibition, Yinghou Machinery showcased its latest innovations, highlighting the 5500A full servo binding line as a key product. The 5500A full servo binding line represents the future direction of digital and short-run postpress equipment. It features 21 fully integrated servo points, allowing for quick size adjustments and flexibility in job changes. The adjustment process can be completed within five minutes, making it ideal for small batch and on-demand production. The 10-inch color touch screen from Schneider provides an intuitive interface for parameter settings. Additionally, the system can integrate with a three-sided cutting machine, creating a fully automated binding line that enhances overall efficiency and intelligence. As labor costs continue to rise, the domestic market for paperback binding lines still holds significant potential. Future developments will focus on making these machines smarter to reduce labor intensity and improve digitization. Three key areas are expected to drive this transformation: 1) supporting small-batch printing and fast job conversion; 2) integrating with MIS systems for data collection and digital connectivity across prepress and printing processes; and 3) incorporating automatic defect detection systems for real-time quality monitoring. In 2014, Yinghou Machinery performed exceptionally well, achieving the highest installed capacity growth among all suppliers in the "Domestic Flat-Backed Binding Linkage Survey" conducted by "Printing Technology." With an impressive annual growth rate of 18.5%, the company delivered strong results. Looking ahead, Yinghou will continue to enhance the intelligence and automation of its binding lines, leveraging servo systems for upgrades and investing in new binding technologies to meet evolving market demands. Currently, the company is developing a PUR paperback binding line tailored for digital printing, suitable for short runs and aligned with green printing trends. Stay tuned for more updates!

On-Demand and Personalized Upgrades for the Print Era

Li Yongliang, Marketing and Sales Director of Beijing Tektronix Zhengtong Electronics Co., Ltd.
        The binding line is designed to automatically complete the entire process of matching, binding, slitting, stacking, and three-side cutting. It offers high speed, productivity, and automation. Traditionally, these lines were used mainly for large-sized books, magazines, and periodicals. However, they struggle with unconventional sizes and personalized orders, such as Lekou books or small-batch prints. This has led to a growing need for upgrading binding lines to handle such challenges effectively. For books with Lekou, many printing companies currently use two separate cutting devices. One is a single-sided cutter with a mouth, while the other is a three-sided cutting machine. This process involves transferring the book between machines, which interrupts automation and requires manual intervention at each step, significantly reducing production efficiency. To address this, modern binding lines now integrate a three-sided cutting system that can automatically fold the mouth after binding, like the Martini binding line. This not only improves automation but also adds greater value to the entire production process.