An edge portion of a bound material is provided with first and second lines. The first and second lines are spaced at a small interval and arranged in parallel to each other. The first line is arranged outside of the second line of the bound material. A control unit controls first and second drive mechanisms in such a manner that the edge portion of the bound material is cut at the first line by a trim cutter, then the trim cutter or the table is moved at the small interval in a moving direction toward the second line, and then the edge portion of the bound material is cut at the second line by the trim cutter.

Methods and apparatus for use with a trimmer to produce a plurality of books having different trim sizes are disclosed. An example method includes obtaining recipient data; based on the recipient data, generating an order to produce first books and second books, the first books having a first size and the second books having a second size, the second size different from the first size; and producing the first books and the second books in accordance with the order by: actuating a first backstop to enable a first book of the first books to engage the first backstop; trimming the first book with a cutting device; and actuating a second backstop to enable a second book of the second books to engage the second backstop; and trimming the second book with the cutting device, the first backstop at a first distance from the cutting device and the second backstop at a second distance from the cutting device.

A guidance system provides step-wise, real-time or near real-time video guidance to a cutting machine operator to efficiently cut up a lift into multiple products, where determining an efficient sequence of steps is laborious for an ordinary operator. The display can advantageously show the operator where to temporarily store various logs that are cut off from the lift, and how and when to reinsert them into the cutting machine for further cuts, whether by themselves, in side-by-side manner, and/or in stacks. Camera feedback can be used to ensure that the operator is properly positioning and orienting the lift/logs. The display can alternatively or additionally use simulation to guide the operator.

A curtain cutting aid includes a curtain holder including an insertion space, an insertion slot in communication with the insertion space and a positioning portion disposed between the insertion space and the insertion slot, and a positioning unit including a movable bar inserted through the insertion slot into the insertion space and provided with spaced positioning grooves and an operating knob mounted in the curtain holder and coupled with the movable bar and movable between an initial position where one positioning groove of the movable bar is engaged with the positioning portion of the curtain holder to lock the movable bar in the insertion space, and a pressed position where the positioning groove of the movable bar is disengaged from the positioning portion of the curtain holder for allowing adjustment of the position of the movable bar according to the size of the curtain to be cut.

Apparatus for use with a trimmer to produce a plurality of books having different trim sizes are described. In a described example, a trimmer for use with a bindery system includes a cutting surface and a first movable backstop adjacent the cutting surface to be engaged by a first book. Additionally, the trimmer includes a second movable backstop adjacent the cutting surface and spaced from the first movable backstop. The second movable backstop is to be engaged by a second book. Further, the trimmer includes a cutter movable relative to the cutting surface to cut a face of the first book to form a book having a first size and to cut a face of the second book to form a book having a second size different than the first size.

A curtain cutting aid includes a curtain holder including an insertion space, an insertion slot in communication with the insertion space and a positioning portion disposed between the insertion space and the insertion slot, and a positioning unit including a movable bar inserted through the insertion slot into the insertion space and provided with spaced positioning grooves and an operating knob mounted in the curtain holder and coupled with the movable bar and movable between an initial position where one positioning groove of the movable bar is engaged with the positioning portion of the curtain holder to lock the movable bar in the insertion space, and a pressed position where the positioning groove of the movable bar is disengaged from the positioning portion of the curtain holder for allowing adjustment of the position of the movable bar according to the size of the curtain to be cut.