In this closing article in this series on book assembly, the covers (cases) and book blocks discussed in the previous articles are brought together in the process called casing-in. In this step, glue is applied to the outside of the front and back of the book block. The book block is placed inside the cover and aligned so that the cover overhangs the block evenly at the top, bottom and front. Then the book is placed under pressure until the adhesive sets.
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| PraLeg Casing-in Machine by Schmedt |
While it is possible to do the casing-in step by hand, and many small book and album companies do, most book plants use some type of automated machinery. The semi automated PraLeg by Schmedt is a good machine to discuss because it is easy to see and understand its operation.
First, the book block is placed over the wing that sticks out at the top of machine. The machines lowers the book into glue area and the cover is placed face up on top of the machine. Then the machine raises the book block through rollers that apply the glue and lifts the block into the cover.
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| PraForm by Schmedt |
The video below shows these steps much more clearly than I can describe them.
The Schmedt machines are used in a wide variety of moderate volume book companies. Muller Martini and other companies make bigger, faster and more automated machines, but internally their function is very similar to the PraLeg.
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| Automated Casing-In Machine by Muller Martini |
The offices of the Creativity Paradox will be closed between Christmas and New Year's. Look for the next post on Tuesday, January 4th.
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