Description of Operation
10
Plockmatic PowerSquare™ 224 - Service Training Workbook
3.6
Fold and Form
When the shuttle stops in the park position, the folder blade is operated. The
folder blade pushes against the centre line of the book - located by the stitches
- and folds the book in half. The folder blade pushes the book to a calculated
depth between a pair of feed-rollers and into the form clamp. On each face of
the form clamp there is a horizontal, polyurethane strip that gives a cushioned
grip. The polyurethane strip is important for thin books because the soft surface
prevents the stitch cutting through the front and back covers of the book.
Drive for the fold blade is transferred from the main motor by chain and clutch.
The drive is changed from rotary to linear movement by a crank and connecting
rod. Drive for the spine form clamp is provided by the main motor and
transferred to a drive shaft by a chain and clutch. Adjustment of the fold blade
position for sets of different thickness is made with a 24V DC motor.
The fold blade retracts and the clamp closes on the book. The form roller rolls
along the spine of the book to create the SquareBack book. The number of
spine forms and the pressure applied is calculated by the PSQ or can be
overridden on the touch screen by the operator.
The form roller is transported on a carriage that runs along the carriage guide.
The carriage drive is from the main electric motor by a clutch and chain system.
When the carriage reaches the end of the carriage guide, either the LH or RH
limit sensor is operated. If the carriage stops before either of the limit sensors is
reached, a jam is indicated. The form roller is turned by a gear wheel that
engages with a rack.
While the book is in the form clamp, a pair of lifters either side of the book, raise
the book clear of the shuttle. The shuttle can then return to the pick-up area to
collect the next book to be stitched.
When the spine is formed, the carriage stops at one end of the carriage guide
and the spine form clamp is released. A solenoid is operated that moves the
eject rollers into contact with the book. The eject rollers rotate and move the
book towards the trimmer infeed.
3.7
Trim
The book passes between two facing sets of conveyors in the trimmer infeed.
These conveyors move the book to the trim stop. The distance of the trim stop
from the trimmer blade is calculated by the PSQ according to the size of the job.
The PSQ applies an amount of trim according to the size of the paper. The
operator can change the amount of trim from the touch screen if necessary. The
trim clamp and trimmer blade move forwards in one action to hold and trim the
book. The trim clamp and trimmer blade then return to their start position.
Offcuts are pushed into the trim bin by flexible fingers on one of the trimmer
infeed conveyor shafts.
The trimmer uses a chevron blade to apply balanced cutting pressure across
the width of the book. The chevron blade decreases to the minimum any shear
forces. Drive for the trimmer blade and the trim clamp is transferred from the
Product Specifications
Plockmatic PowerSquare™ 224 - Service Training Workbook
39
Book Thickness
Minimum set thickness:
1 sheet (when folded makes a 4 page booklet)
Maximum finished book thickness: up to 10.4mm
Maximium book thickness is dependent on paper type,
quality, grain direction, coating, ink/toner type and
coverage. The following figures are given as a guide.
Plain papers:
80gsm: approx. 208 pages (52 sheets)
70gsm: approx. 224 pages (56 sheets)
Coated papers:
115gsm: approx. 128 pages (32 sheets)
Stitching
1 - 6 stitches, evenly spaced on the spine of the book
Stitching can be turned off
Stitches/spool: up to 291,500
Books*/spool: approx 127,000
Trimming
Maximum fore-edge trim: 28mm
Minimum trimmed book size: 78mm
Trimming can be switched off
Recommended minimum trim amount: 1mm
Stacker Capacity
Standard stacker: 35 books*
Book Stacker (optional): 930mm; approx 185 standard
books*
Paper Input
Requirements
Input sheets must be of consistent size and cut square.
Machine must be set to match paper size at the input to
the booklet maker.
Book quality is dependent upon quality of input sheets.
Mechanical
Interface
Dependent on connecting bridge:
Communications
Interface
DFA
max. 28mm
min. 78mm
Sheet
Reference
Input Height
(mm)
Input Speed
(mm/sec)
Centre Edge
Rotate
Off
Rotate
On
PBR5 Yes
No
710/860, to
suit printer
4 selectable set-
tings:
A
B
C
D
1096
980
1110
1330
1096
1096
1220
1330
