Case cover binding apparatus

A system for automated book binding, the system comprising:

• a staging platform configured to receive one or more book covers;
• first and second walls extending perpendicular to the staging platform, the first wall oriented parallel to the second wall;
• a controller configured in at least an automatic trim adjustment mode to:
• determine one or more book covers as being present upon the staging platform;
• automatically direct inward movement of at least one of the first and second walls until sensing contact by one or more of the first and second walls with the one or more book covers;
• automatically withdraw the at least one of the first and second walls from a point of contact with the one or more book covers, wherein an operating window is defined by a distance between the first and second walls at the point of contact;
• and
• in sequence, transfer each of the one or more book covers via a lifting arm upward from the staging platform and at least initially laterally from a lifted position to a binding unit.