Automated "On Demand" Book Covers
Through the partnership of GP2 Technology and Galil, the automated GP2 system can now yield hard book covers or cases “on demand” due to the high precision Galil controller. The GP2 Autocase CS2 machine registers the front and back panels of the case to the covering material, folding the cover to make a finished case, which then goes into binding operations.
For this process to begin, the automated registration device must first register and measure the case or cover boards with sizing arms. Galil’s dual encoder function then reads the rotation of the sizing arms, establishing the xy measurements of the book cover. From there, the material is pressed, smoothed, and folded over the edges of the panel, creating the book cover.
Industries/Applications for the GP2 System
This machine is suited for a variety of industries and applications, however it is particularly suited for:
- Libraries
- Corporations
- Regional Binderies
- Any operation that produces small runs of books
- Digital printers of hard-cover books “on demand”
Advantages of the Autocase CS2
It used to be that in order to be economical, publishers would need to print thousands of copies. With the new technology of the Autocase CS2 combined with the Galil controller, publishers can print the exact number of books they need, while still having an economically feasible production.
Other alternatives to this machine include manual operation or expensive, high-volume production machines. Manual operation leaves room for human error and can lead to sloppy construction of the book cases and covers. On the other hand, high-volume production machines can cost up to $600,000 and take up to an hour to set up; these machines are cost prohibitive for smaller production runs.
The Autocase CS2 allows for smaller runs of production, with “on demand” printing, at a cost-effective price.
Features of the Galil DMC-2183 Ethernet Controller
The heart of the Autocase CS2 is the Galil DMC-2183 Ethernet Controller that provides the machine Galil’s state-of-the-art features, while saving space and money. This machine simplifies interconnects, eliminates extra cabling, and has allowed GP2 to add additional features without increasing prices.
The controller utilizes eight axes of motion to guide the servo motors in various stages of production. Three of these axes manipulate the product back and forth, up and down, and in rotation. The other five axes are used for transportation, folding, brushing, and clamping the cover.
For more information, you can view the PDF document here or contact Electromate today!
