Gluing technology for printing
A strong spine, a clean envelope – precise gluing for the printing industry
Robatech application systems for bookbinding, the production of brochures and envelopes, direct mail and print finishing – precise application of both hot melt and cold glue that keeps pace with high press speeds.
- ExclusiveRobatech partner for the Czech Republic
- 50+ yearsin the industry
- Our owntesting centre
- 24/7service and SOS line
Selected customers from the industry
Where we help in the printing industry
Production of brochures and magazines
Dot or bead application of hot melt for gluing the spine of brochures and magazines on industrial perfect binders. Instant setting of the adhesive keeps up the pace of the line even at a high production rate.
Envelope production
Precise dosing of cold dispersion adhesive for gluing seams, bottoms, flaps and patching windows into envelopes. Sempre application heads apply a minimal amount of adhesive with no adhesive stringing – reliably even at high machine speed.
Direct mail and addressed mailings
Sealing and closing addressed mailings with hot melt or dispersion. Precise application and a fast start/stop of application ensure a clean closure of every item even with variable data printing.
Print finishing
Gluing folded sheets, gluing swatch books and book blocks with cover lamination. Robatech systems handle a fast changeover on a format or job change with no downtime.
Security printing and sealing
Precise application of hot melt for closing and securing security print, documents and portable media. The system communicates with the line's PLC and monitors application in real time.
What you're dealing with
- Every printed copy or book block must have an identical application – a deviation causes a weak spine, pages coming loose or an unsealed mailing. Printing production does not tolerate rejects that only come to light at the customer.
- A printing operation alternates between jobs of different formats, paper grammages and product types. Every change requires a fast changeover – the application system must not be a bottleneck when the job changes.
- Both hot melt and cold glue must adhere to the right substrate (coated paper, cardboard, special films) and not damage the print. Choosing the wrong technology or adhesive leads to peeling or to adhesive running over the edges.
How Kaletech solves it
For bookbinding and brochures we offer Robatech hot melt systems with application heads synchronised with the movement of the book block – every spine receives a precisely defined amount of adhesive with no overflow onto the sides. For hardcover bindings with PUR adhesive we use Melt-on-Demand technology (Canduro 2), which melts the PUR adhesive only at the moment of consumption and preserves its reactive properties throughout the entire production shift.
For envelope production and direct mail, cold dispersion gluing through Sempre electric nozzles has proven itself – low adhesive consumption, a clean application with no adhesive stringing and reliable starting and stopping of application in step with the machine. On lines with more demanding speeds, precise hot melt replaces the cold glue application – Volta heads handle intermittent application (stitching) without compressed air and keep pace even with the speed of a modern offset or digital line.
Printing production alternates between jobs and formats – the Robatech control system (RCS) stores recipes and switches settings with no material loss. Integration with the line's PLC via Fieldbus protocols ensures precise synchronisation of the start and stop of application without any manual intervention by the operators.
How it works and what technology is used
Robatech technology for the printing industry has both variants – hot melt and cold gluing available, used according to the application. For hot melt applications (book spine, brochures, envelopes with a hot melt closure) the adhesive is melted in a compact melter, conveyed through a heated Performa hose and applied by an application head with a precise cut-off. For cold dispersion adhesive (envelopes, direct mail, swatch books) a pump unit ensures a stable supply with no pulsation and the Sempre electric nozzle precisely doses the adhesive onto material in motion. Both technologies integrate with the line's PLC and allow recipes to be stored for a fast changeover when the job changes.
Selecting the technology according to the application
Book spine and brochures require EVA or PUR hot melt processed by an Alpha or Canduro 2 melter. Envelopes and direct mail we glue with cold dispersion adhesive through a pump unit and Sempre heads, or with hot melt through Volta heads for fast lines. We will recommend the right choice after assessing the substrate, the machine speed and the requirements for bond strength.
Melting or pumping the adhesive
For hot melt, the compact Alpha melter melts EVA or APAO granules to the working viscosity. For PUR adhesive, Canduro 2 melts using Melt-on-Demand technology – only as much as the line currently consumes, with a protective atmosphere of dry air so the PUR does not react prematurely. For cold gluing, a pump unit ensures a stable supply of dispersion with no pressure fluctuations.
Precise application onto the spine, seam or flap
The Volta application head applies hot melt as a bead or in dots precisely onto the spine of the book block or the closure of a mailing. The Sempre electric nozzle doses dispersion adhesive with no adhesive stringing even at a switching frequency of hundreds of cycles per minute – a clean application, no traces outside the bond.
Synchronisation with the line and cut-off
The control system (PLC or RCS) synchronises the start and stop of application with the movement of the material. A precise cut-off prevents adhesive overflow over the edge of the spine or the envelope flap. The system stores recipes for each type of job – a changeover on a format change happens with no downtime.
Technology used
Robatech Alpha Melter
A compact melter ideal for use in industries such as carton processing, packaging gluing and graphic arts.
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Melter for PUR Adhesives – Robatech Canduro 2
The modular Canduro 2 melter for PUR adhesives with melt-on-demand technology, low maintenance requirements and reliable…
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Performa – heated hose for highly precise applications
Heated hoses for hot melt adhesives have a significant influence on how reliably and precisely products are glued.
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Volta application head
Thanks to its design, it is durable and protected against external influences with IP55 protection. With Volta you save…
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Sempre 15/30 jetting head
An electric jetting head available in two configurations for applying medium-viscosity dispersion adhesives up to 4,000…
More informationHot melt vs. cold gluing in the printing industry – how to decide
| Parameter | Hot melt application | Cold glue application |
|---|---|---|
| Typical applications | Book spine, brochures, closing direct mail items | Envelopes, labels, swatch books, light paper bonds |
| Curing time | Instant (within 1–3 s) | Depends on water evaporation (slower) |
| Bond strength | High – suitable for hardcover bindings and higher paper grammages | Sufficient for light bonds of envelopes and swatch books |
| Substrate sensitivity | Caution with heat-sensitive materials (thin films, special coatings) | Safe for all paper substrates |
| Fast job changeover | Recipes in RCS – changeover with no material loss | Instant start-up – the system requires no preheating |
Real-world results
Commissioning of textbook production for the Ministry of Education in Kuwait
Thanks to the timely intervention of our expert, our customer managed to maintain a key customer of its branch on the Ar…
Show case studyCustomer references
Why solve your gluing challenge with Kaletech
50+ years of industry experience
We build on the development of Swiss Robatech (since 1975) and our own practice on the Czech market since 2004.
Authorised Robatech partner
The exclusive supplier of Robatech technologies for industrial gluing.
In-house service and parts
A service team, spare parts in stock and an SOS line.
Free consultation
We will design a tailored solution and fine-tune it directly in your operation.
How the collaboration works
Inquiry and consultation
Get in touch and tell us what and where you glue. We will discuss your operation and goals with no obligation.
Application analysis
We assess the materials, the line speed and the requirements for the bond. We recommend a suitable technology and adhesive.
Design and test
We design the configuration and verify it with a test on your materials – often in our testing centre.
Installation and training
We install the system, integrate it into the line and train the operators and maintenance staff.
Service and support
We provide spare parts, preventive service and an SOS line throughout the entire operation.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on the required binding strength and the type of product. EVA hot melt is the standard choice for brochures and softcover bindings – fast setting and cost-effective. APAO hot melt offers better thermal stability and a more flexible bond for heavily used editions. Reactive PUR hot melt is chosen for premium hardcover bindings and durable products – the bond cures chemically with moisture and reaches a significantly higher strength than a thermoplastic adhesive. We will recommend the optimal type of adhesive after assessing your product and the line parameters.
Do you work in the printing industry?
Get in touch – we will assess your application (type of binding, line speed, substrates) and design an application system precisely for your operation. With no obligation.
- +420 732 469 082
- info@kaletech.cz
- SOS service: +420 736 443 247