Horizon has further improved their hallmark production line of perfect binders. The BQ-500 is the latest model of their 4-clamp binder series. This machine features four book clamps and can comfortably produce up to 800 books an hour at premium quality. The glue tank is available as either an EVA or PUR open pot. Typically the machines are equipped with one or the other but there is a convenient lift unit to hot-swap tanks.
The production philosophy behind Horizon products shines on this perfect binder. Even though it has a huge amount of horsepower an operator can walk up and figure out the touchscreen with minimal experience. Within just a few cycles a new user can have a very comfortable handle on a machine that can be very intimidating. Touch screen user experience feels just like using an app on a smartphone. Users are walked through various procedures and asked all the right questions about the books they want to make.
There are dozens of improvements in the BQ-500 series that take automation to the next level. Every section of the machine has been reconsidered to remove operator intervention of any kind. Keeping the operator tasks to loading stock and using the touch screen. No more adjusting guides or moving rails, it’s all automatic.
One of the most intriguing improvements is the integration of Horizon’s new special Smart Factory software package called iCE Link. This new special toolkit is a cloud software package that monitors the health and productivity of Horizon production equipment. There are various levels of subscription with some premium features that empower larger operations to make insightful decisions about how to handle production schedules and how to get the most out of their equipment. Machine scheduling and efficiency can be reported over time and an owner or manager can view the health and status of their production site from anywhere with an app.
The Smart Factory expo that Horizon held in December of 2019 was a special debut of the entire Smart Factory concept. This event was where iCE Link was shown for the first time along with the HT-300 book trimmer. The intelligent use of manufacturing assets is a core element of moving to green production and getting the most out of major investments. Watch this email stream for more about iCE Link in the future!
