PUR Perfect Binding- The Back Story

Although not new technology at all, PUR (Polyurethane Reactive) perfect binding is making inroads into the mainstream perfect binding marketplace. More and more trade binders, printers, and yes-customers alike, are asking for this "new" binding technology. The hype and boastings surrounding this technology, although not totally miraculous, are indeed profound and encouraging.

The back story, however, are the newest developments in perfect binding technology that are bringing PUR perfect binding to the forefront. Geared towards shorter run lengths, ease-of-use, and minimal waste, these attractive binding solutions are turning heads and turning the industry upside down.

Detailed below are several PUR equipment offerings from Standard Horizon. The solutions range from entry-level up to full fledged, production binding systems.

Standard Horizon BQ-160PUR

The Standard Horizon BQ-160 PUR Single-clamp Perfect Binder satisfies the fast-growing demand for short-run book binding using its PUR adhesive system.  A dynamic color touchscreen allows the operator to easily adjust a range of settings including cover alignment with the spine, nipping pressure, clamping pressure and much more.  Other features on the BQ-160 include the ability to notch in one or both directions, and an optional carbon air filtration system to reduce adhesive odors. The BQ-160 can produce extremely strong, perfect bound books up to 1.6” thick at speeds up to 180 cycles per hour.

Standard Horizon BQ-280PUR

Standard Horizon’s BQ-280PUR Perfect Binder is specially designed to handle the unique requirements of digital print – with digital print friendly processing, quick set-up and changeover for shorter production runs, book-of-one capability, and even in-line verification for document integrity. The large color touchscreen features intuitive icons for easy operation. Simply input book block and cover information at the touchscreen for quick and automatic setup, including carriage clamp, milling, glue tank, nipping, and cover feeder. Up to 200 jobs can be held in memory and "locked" for additional security. The automated, sensor-activated digital caliper system ensures consistent measurement of book block thickness every time, eliminating operator discrepancy. Book thickness is automatically measured by placing the book block into the digital caliper. The caliper slides into position with no manual intervention and thickness data automatically begins set-up. Easily handles the production of digitally printed books, personalized photo books, smaller sample runs, and other ultra short-run work!

Standard Horizon BQ-470

The Standard Horizon BQ-470 fully-automated four-clamp perfect binder, with its state-of-the-art design and fully-automated setup, is easy to operate with minimal operator training required. It produces up to 1,350 superior-quality perfect bound books per hour, with four clamps that travel on a vertical elliptical track. The BQ-470 binder’s 10.4” LCD touch-screen is used to provide stepper motor-controlled automation to the professional-quality mid-range binding market. The BQ-470 can bind books up to 2.5” thick, and interchangeable glue tanks support both EVA and PUR adhesives to meet varying customer requirements. The BQ-470 perfect binder fits a sweet spot in short-run professional-quality book production with full automation and touch-screen control. And the ability to swap-in a PUR glue tank lets the BQ-470 serve an even wider range of applications, including digital color books.