Well Maintained Binding Equipment Makes For Clean Machine Punches

Often times, a simple concept results in a great product that saves time, energy, and money. That is true of a binding system, which mechanically fastens papers together. A binding machine punches holes in paper in a predetermined pattern, and then either opens a comb or uses an electric coil inserter to guide the fastener through the holes. The result is a professional document that is easily created in an office or a copy center. What makes the machine even better is when it consistently works well with little down time.

Troubleshooting Your Machine

Once you have selected the binding machine that is right for your company, you will find it to be fairly trouble-free. With a small binding unit, “trouble” usually means that the holes are not cut smoothly or evenly, or that the machine seems to jam. This is often due to a few simple reasons:

             You have not lined up the paper in the unit correctly, so that the resulting cut is not parallel with the edge of the paper.

             You are trying to process too many sheets. As a result, the bottom holes may not completely pierce the paper.

             Your paper tray is so full that the paper chads created in the punching process block the access for more waste.

If you are careful, lining up the pages to be bound is simple. In the punching process, you have to be sure not to exceed the drilling capabilities of the machine. If you try to punch more than the recommended number of pages, your machine punches may be incomplete, and for manual machines, may require putting more pressure on the handle. For electric machines, this can strain the motor.

As for paper waste, cleaning out the tray is a matter of replacing a cover or opening a door, so you should empty it during and after jobs, to prevent clogging. If you are punching a document with adhesives, you should do die maintenance, as described below, when the job is complete. This prevents the adhesive from hardening around the pins.

Maintenance To Ensure Clean Machine Punches

Most problems with your machine can be controlled by proper use and occasional maintenance to the machine and the dies. By simply dabbing light-weight machine oil on a cloth, and gently rubbing it over the exposed areas of the punch pins while the die is out of the punch, you can lubricate it so the unit runs smoothly.

Before resuming work with the machine, just punch some scrap paper until the oil is absorbed – usually after several punches. You should use the same lubricating process on dies after you have used paper with adhesives on it. If you have accessories such as an electric coil inserter or openers or closers, check your instruction manual to see if these parts need lubrication.

Easy Change Dies For Repairs In Record Time

While your machine should outlast the warranty, the dies may eventually need replacement. These are the parts that withstand continual pressure every time the machine punches a series of holes. The replacement process is easy if the product you purchase has removable dies that you can change yourself. Otherwise, you will have to bear the expense and the downtime involved in sending the unit to the manufacturer to replace the worn die. With easy change dies available on the industry’s best binding machines, you can restore your binding machine to like new condition, and in record time.

Your binding machine is an amazing addition to your office, and is based on a simple concept. By selecting the right machine for the jobs you anticipate doing, and by performing regular maintenance, you can keep the machine running well for years to come.