iCE Binder BQ-300: The future of on-demand book production

Horizon's perfect binding expertise has a long and successful history: continuous innovation has constantly driven development forward and adapted it to the respective market requirements. Simple operation and a high degree of automation drastically reduce set-up times and personnel costs for all Horizon machines. This makes quick job changes possible without any problems - especially for short runs.

COMPACT, FLEXIBLE, FAST.
The latest member of the perfect binder family, the iCE Binder BQ-300, which was unveiled at drupa 2024, also uses consistent automation to minimize makeready times and further reduce sources of error.

With a speed of up to 500 cycles/h, the compact single-clamp perfect binder can produce medium to short runs fully automatically and economically with EVA hotmelt. The machine processes books from 1 to 51 mm thick and a spine length of 135 to 320 mm. As the infeed and outfeed stations are located directly next to each other, continuous loading and unloading is possible from just one person and one location. The BQ-300 ensures increased efficiency even in variable single book production: an integrated measuring station records the book block thickness outside the clamp and the machine adjusts itself automatically. This results in an enormous time advantage because a book block is measured while the previous one is still being processed.

SIMPLY PERFECT BINDING THANKS TO THE NEW TEMPLATE FUNCTION.
Compared to previous models, the BQ-300 not only boasts even easier operation thanks to a larger touch display and new user interface, but also up to 50 % faster job changes and new features such as the template function: up to 6 individual templates can be saved so that specific fine adjustments can be called up at any time - manual fine adjustments are no longer necessary for frequent job changes or single-item production. The values for the thinnest and thickest book block are required to create templates. The production parameters for all other book block thicknesses are calculated and adjusted automatically so that the speed, glue application quantity, contact pressure etc. are implemented fully automatically and optimally for each individual product. An optimized creasing unit and an even more powerful milling motor also ensure consistently perfect binding results.

The latest generation of perfect binders has also been further optimized in terms of ergonomics and work safety: While the new pull-out delivery makes it easier to remove the bound books, the removable front cover allows for easy maintenance and cleaning. The optional Trim Bag Box TBB-BQ300, which effectively traps fine dust with integrated filters, ensures that the ambient air is always clean.

NETWORKED AND AUTOMATED.
The BQ-300 can be expanded into a fully automated bookbinding line by connecting additional units - from the digital printing system to the book block feed by robot arm and the trimming of the finished bound books.

The iCE Binder BQ-300 is equipped with the cloud-based workflow service iCE LiNK for a fully automated working environment. This allows production processes to be monitored in real time, workflows to be automated and resources to be used efficiently. It also enables preventive maintenance management.