Maker Unit Cerlox and Coil Bookbinding Prototype
Cerlox and Coil bindings are the easiest and quickest ways to bind paper together. I met with a Maker to discuss this process, and although I had hoped for a more classic and craft-based bookbinding style using thread and glue, this process is still interesting and rare to have in schools. It is also easier to comprehend because it does not require a special printing method to get the pages in the right order, pages can be added and removed, and it's quick to use resulting in a very small bottleneck. This means that the Maker Unit could have a focus on the book's contents rather than the method.
Setting: anywhere. A class of any type may use this Unit to bind small books, varying from art portfolios to written reports.
Project: If there is no project in mind, a class can create a calendar, a small magazine, or class yearbook by themselves or in groups.
Booklet: A simple process booklet showing the teacher and students how to use the machine safely. The teacher will have a resource booklet that allows them to lead the class through the project, but work will be done on the computer or on other paper since the booklet is the outcome.
Risks: papercuts, pinching of hands in the lever, messing up the cut and having useless holes
Top- basic worktop with the machine either bolted down (for heavy models) or set down. Enough space in front of machine to prepare paper
1st drawer- Cerlox and coils of 11" and 8.5" sizes, acetate sheets, crimper for the coiled books
2nd drawer - Resources for the teacher, instructions, power cords if model is automatic, storage for lever if model is manual
Cabinet - vertical (or horizontal - perhaps better for transport) dividers to store glossy papers, cardstock, coloured papers, and more. Paper will be selected based on the project, and will have a limit of a certain amount per student.
Base - industrial locking wheels