Smasher

Description

The ODM Smasher is a hydraulic building-in press designed for forming the joints and pressing hardcover books after casing-in. Building-in is the step that sets the joints (the hinges between the spine and the side boards) and applies sustained compression to ensure full adhesive bonding between the book block end sheets and the case boards. The Smasher applies ten tons (approximately 20,000 lbs.) of hydraulic pressure to each book, using heated joint irons with thermostat control to assist in forming a sharp, well-defined hinge.

The standard Smasher produces between 150 and 240 books per hour. An adjustable dwell timer controls how long each book remains under full pressure, allowing the operator to set the optimal hold time for different adhesive types, book thicknesses, and cover materials. The machine is self-adjusting, requiring no manual makeready between different book thicknesses, and the hydraulic system raises the bottom platen to clamp the book from below with consistent, repeatable pressure.

The Smasher accepts books from a minimum of approximately 4″ x 4″ up to an 18″ x 18″ format and handles spines from 1/32″ up to 4″ thick. It is designed to work in sequence with the ODM Sticker as the final step in the ODM case binding line. The machine is appropriate for short-run hardcover book production, photo book manufacturing, and any bindery application where clean joint definition and consistent adhesive cure are required for a professionally finished hardcover product.

Technical Specifications

• Speed: 150-240 books/hour
• Pressure: 10 tons (20,000 lbs)
• Heated joint irons
• Self-adjusting