System and apparatus for book block binding and method thereof

A method of providing a completed book by a perfect binding apparatus, the method comprising:

• receiving a book block at the perfect binding apparatus;
• storing the book block within a retaining portion of the perfect binding apparatus;
• moving the book block between a plurality of operation stations;
• performing at least one operation upon the book block at two or more of the plurality of operation stations wherein the performing at least one operation upon the book block at each of the plurality of operation stations includes:
• receiving a cover at a cover station of the plurality of operation stations;
• trimming the cover;
• and
• scoring at least a portion of the cover;
• and
• outputting a completed book at an out-feed location of the perfect binding apparatus.

A system for providing perfect binding, comprising:

• a base section having plurality of operation stations, wherein the plurality of operation stations includes a cover station, the cover station including:
• an input section configured to receive a cover;
• a scoring section;
• a pre-trim cut section;
• a nipping section;
• and
• a gripper configured to transport a cover between two or more of the input section, the scoring section, the pre-trim cut section, and the nipping section;
• and
• a moveable section having a plurality of clamps, each of the plurality of clamps configured to retain at least one book block,
• wherein the moveable section is configured to move at least two of the plurality of clamps to one or more of the plurality of operation stations, and wherein each of the plurality of operation stations is configured to perform at least one operation corresponding to the at least one book block.