The Tecnograf ANT 2000 automatic six-clamp perfect binder is available now from £150,000.

According to Friedheim International sales manager Roger Cartwright, the machine is perfect for any company that wants a heavy duty short-to-medium run, hand-fed perfect-binding operation, such as larger digital printers, bookbinders, trade finishers and commercial printers.

He said: "The machine is heavily engineered with robust components. It can be purchased as a single or dual glue machine - EVA and/or PUR - and is equipped with two spine preparation heads.

"This gives it the ability to cope with more difficult stocks, and has a proper control of the book with a spine cross stacker to ensure delicate products such as a PUR bind are not disturbed by any drop or knocks when exiting the clamping system. This is a problem with many smaller machines, especially when producing books over 10mm thick."

The machine can handle sheets from A6 to A3, with a maximum spine measurement of up to 70mm for sewn book blocks.

Its glue system enables the operator to change from one type of glue to the other quickly and easily, while a second spine preparation station is included as standard.

Other features include an automatic cover feeder with automatic creasing by rollers, and an automatic gripper mechanism that takes the book from the clamp and gently stands the finished product on its spine, avoiding spine distortion.

The machine can be specified with an extra spine preparation head, and PUR and EVA glue using nozzle and tank system. Cartwright said he expected to sell two or three machines in the UK per year.