It was miles ahead of the competition. It was the first one we saw that appears to be the real deal

Peterborough book production specialist Printondemand-worldwide expects its newly installed Horizon HT-1000V variable trimmer from Intelligent Finishing Systems to help it triple its on demand book production.

The system, the UK’s first, is completing work from two Horizon BQ470 four-clamp perfect binders and features barcode, workflow and security software to ensure an unrivalled level of automation.

“We produce in excess of 5,000 books per day but we are looking to triple that with this integrated workflow and investment in a new inkjet device in mono and colour to be competitive in runs of up to 2,000,” comments owner Andy Cork, who works with major publishers including Cambridge, Oxford and Taylor & Francis. “The whole solution is specifically designed for books of one to 2,000.”

He continues: “We are expanding into a new 7,000 sq ft unit to support our Great British Bookshop virtual warehouse venture that works with publishers to create an online print on demand platform.”

On the Horizon HT-1000V he comments: “We first saw it at drupa. It was miles ahead of the competition. It was the first one we saw that appears to be the real deal. We are trying to offer a complete solution. We are working towards the production workflow of next-day delivery for runs of one rather than the 24/ 48 hour service at present. We are the wholesaler, retailer and printer. That is the future – a fully automated solution cutting out manual intervention. That is our end goal.”

The 1,000 books per hour Horizon HT-1000V variable three-knife trimmer ensures zero makeready on book trimming for high quality variable short-run and book of one production, of both untrimmed and trimmed sizes, up to 65mm thick. It is set-up automatically on the fly via a barcode at the entrance of the trimmer. 200 jobs can be memorized for repeat orders or special applications. The solution can be connected with the Horizon pXnet JDF workflow for finishing production efficiency and management. It can also be placed in-line with Horizon perfect binders to maximize finishing automation and minimize human operation error.

Horizon HT-1000V variable three-knife trimmer

• High quality variable short-run and book of one production at up to 1,000 books per hour
• For untrimmed and trimmed sizes, up to 65mm thick.
• Automatic set up on the fly via a barcode at the entrance of the trimmer.
• Uniquely designed user-friendly interface that enables intuitive operation and fine-tune adjustment. 200 jobs can be memorized for repeat orders or special applications

Image: Bryan Godwyn Joint IFS Managing Director with Andy Cork, Managing Director, Print On Demand and Eijiro Hori, Horizon Chief Executive