Troubleshooting Your GBC ProClick Pronto P3000 Binding Machine

The GBC ProClick Pronto P3000 is a fully-automated binding machine that is designed for small- to medium-sized organizations that need to bind professional-looking books with ease. Using specially-designed ProClick binding spines, the ProClick Pronto P3000 can create up to 450 bound documents per hour, with almost no training required. Below is a list of helpful hints for troubleshooting common problems with the GBC ProClick Pronto P3000:

Problem:

  • The machine won’t power up.  The indicator lights do not turn on.

Possible Solutions:

  • Ensure that the plug is inserted firmly into the socket. Try plugging the machine into a different socket and/or plugging a different appliance into the socket to test the power supply.
  • Check that the power switch is in the “On” position.

Problem:

  • The machine does not power up and the lights do not turn on, even though the unit is plugged in and switched on.

Possible Solution:

  • Contact an Authorized GBC Technician for service. Attempting to fix the machine yourself could result in damage of the machine.

Problem:

  • The User Interface displays an error and an icon indicating that the chip tray is full.

Possible Solution:

  • Empty the chip tray by pulling it straight out from the bottom of the machine and throwing away the contents. Replace the chip tray by pushing it straight in to the bottom of the machine. Note: The GBC ProClick Pronto P3000 will not operate without the chip tray securely in place. The tray will need to be emptied after approximately 60 books.

Problem:

  • A ProClick spine and/or document is jammed inside of the machine.

Possible Solution:

  • The User Interface will guide you through the four steps of removing a jam. The first step is to pull the document out of the machine. Next, pull the Clear Safety Cover forward, which will disable the machine until returned to its original position. Then, lift the paper deck into the locked, resting position by pulling the tray up from the middle. Finally, remove the jammed spine, lower the paper deck, and push the Clear Safety Cover back into its operating position. The machine should now be ready to bind again.

Problem:

  • The User Interface is displaying a flashing error icon.

Possible Solutions:

  • Reboot the machine by turning it off and back on again.
  • If the machine continues to display the same flashing error message on the User Interface after you have rebooted it, call a service technician for assistance.

Problem:

  • The machine won’t bind, and the User Interface displays a message indicating that a specific action needs to be taken.

Possible Solution:

  • The GBC ProClick Pronto P3000 automatically detects all inputs before allowing binding to proceed. Detected items include: whether or not a binding spine is inserted into the machine, if the document size has been measured, and if the safety cover is closed. If any of these items are not in place, the machine will not allow you bind and will display a message to guide you toward the necessary corrective action.

Problem:

  • The machine does not automatically resize based on the size of the document.

Possible Solutions:

  • Ensure that no paper is loaded into the paper deck when the spine is inserted.
  • If the spine that is inserted is smaller than the document size, then the machine will not allow you to bind.
  • If the User Interface displays a message that reads “insert punched document into size,” then you will need to resize the document in the document sizer.

 Problem:

  • The document components are inserted in the wrong sequence.

Possible Solution:

  • The spine cassette must be inserted before the document is placed into the paper deck. If you insert your document before the spine cassette, the User Interface will display a “Remove Document” error. Simply remove your document and follow the prompts on the User Interface.

Troubleshooting Your Fellowes Quasar 130 Wire Binding Machine

The Quasar 130 wire binding machine from Fellowes is a compact wire binder that’s small enough to fit on a desktop but powerful enough to meet the demands of a small office. Below are a few helpful hints for troubleshooting occasional problems with your Quasar 130 wire binder:


Problem:

  • Punched holes are not centered on the sheets after they are punched.

Possible Solution:

  • This is an indication that the side guide has not been properly set for the sheet size of your document. Simply adjust the side guide until the hole pattern is positioned correctly, with the holes centered on the document.

Problem:

  • The machine will not punch your document.

Possible Solutions:

  • If your waste tray is too full, it may block the punching dies and prevent them from piercing your document. The waste tray is located underneath the machine and can be accessed from the right side. For the best results, be sure to empty the waste tray regularly.
  • Check for blockage within the punching throat itself. Clear any obstructions, reinsert your document, and try punching the pages again.

Problem:

  • The holes are not being punched parallel to the edge of the document.

Possible Solution:

  • This may indicate that there is debris stuck below the punching dies that is preventing the pages from being fully inserted into the punching throat. Slide a piece of stiff cardboard into the punching throat and move it sideways to release any stray clippings into the waste tray.

Problem:

  • My document has partially-punched holes at the ends of the sheets.

Possible Solution:

  • The sheets are not properly aligned with the punching dies. Adjust the side guide and punch scrap sheets until the partial holes are eliminated.

Problem:

  • The holes are not being punched cleanly or edges of the punched holes are damaged.

Possible Solutions:

  • This is usually a sign that you are overloading the machine. The Fellowes Quasar 130 wire binding machine has a 15-sheet punch capacity (based on regular 20 lb. paper). If you are using thicker paper, you will need to reduce the number of sheets to stay within the punch capacity.
  • If the damaged holes are occurring when you punch a plastic binding cover, then try placing the cover between sheets of paper before punching it. This may help the cover to punch more cleanly.

Problem:

  • Debris from punching documents is falling out of the waste tray.

Possible Solutions:

  • The waste tray may not be correctly inserted. Check that the waste tray is empty and that there is no debris that will stop the tray from being fully inserted into the machine, and reinsert the tray.
  • The “burst feature” may have been activated. Empty the waste tray and ensure that the “burst feature” is closed.

Problem:

  • The pages of the document come loose and fall off of the wire after binding.

Possible Solution:

  • If your document falls apart after it has been bound, then your wire binding spine has most likely not been closed properly. There should be no gap between the two ends of a wire that has been sufficiently closed. If your wire has a gap, simple place it into the wire closer again and re-close it.

Three Helpful Tips for Binding With Your Fastback 11 Binding Machine

The Fastback 11 thermal binding machine from Powis Parker is one of the most intelligent and powerful thermal binders on the market today. If offers a wide range of robust features, and is capable of creating professional-level bound documents with surprisingly little effort. Below are three tips to help you achieve the best binding results with your Fastback 11 binding machine:

  1. One of the easiest and most effective ways to ensure that your bind is secure and attractive is to ensure that the sheets are evenly aligned. If you are doing a large volume of documents, you may find it easiest to use a paper jogger to even the edges of your sheet. For smaller runs, simply tap the documents against the top of the machine repeatedly until all of the sheets are even. The Fastback 11 machine is designed for years of use in a production environment, so don’t be afraid to tap the document vigorously against the top of the machine to align the pages.
  2. Like fabric, paper has a uni-directional grain that consists of the fibers that make up the paper. You will achieve the best binding results by binding your documents so that the grain of the paper runs parallel to the binding edge. Paper that has the grain running parallel to the long edge of the sheet (the 11″ side) is said to be “grain long,” while paper that has the grain running parallel to the short edge of the sheet (the 8-1/2″ side) is said to be “grain short.” Generally speaking, most standard copy paper is grain long, so it will give you the best bind. Some papers are grain short, so it is highly recommended that you test unfamiliar paper stock before you bind a large volume of documents. An easy way to test the grain of your paper is to lightly hold it on each axis to see which direction the paper bows more easily in. Paper will usually tend to bend easier in the direction of its grain, so most copy paper will flex more readily along the 11″ axis.
  3. As with all bound reports, adding divider tabs is a great way to enhance the look and function of your thermally-bound documents. The Fastback 11 binding system and corresponding Fastback binding strips are compatible with a number of brands and styles of tabs, but it is recommended that you call contact your local Fastback dealer for advice on the best tabs to use, because certain tabs will not give you good results. It is also advised that you bind a couple of sample documents containing the selected tabs before doing any large production runs.

How Do I Edit Bound Documents with the Fastback 11 Binding Machine?

One of the greatest benefits of binding using the Fastback 11 binding system is that it creates secure, durable books that can stand up to years of use. But did you know that the Fastback 11 is also capable of editing previously-bound documents? You can remove pages or even replace existing pages by simply following a few basic instructions. Below is an overview of how to edit your bound documents with the Fastback 11 binder:

Removing Pages:

  1. Plug in the Fastback 11 binding machine and turn it on. Allow it to warm up for approximately 3-4 minutes.
  2. Locate the pages of your document that need to be edited, and fold over their corners. This will help you identify the pages once they are ready to be removed.
  3. Insert the document into the machine with the spine-side down, so that it is flush against the right side of the binding channel.
  4. Press and hold the “Bind” button for two seconds. The Bind Clamps will open automatically after approximately 20 seconds.
  5. With the document still in the machine, begin removing pages. To remove each page, grab the top corner and pull upward using gentle and even pressure. Since you are pulling on a corner, the page will lift away from the spine staring at one end of the document and move toward the other.
  6. Once you have removed the pages as desired, pull the document out of the machine and transfer it to the Cooling Rack (placing it spine-side down). Allow the document to cool fully, which will take approximately 5-7 minutes.

Replacing Pages:

  1. Plug in the Fastback 11 binding machine and turn it on. Allow it to warm up for approximately 3-4 minutes.
  2. Locate the pages of your document that need to be edited, and fold over their corners. This will help you identify the pages once they are ready to be removed.
  3. Place your document onto your work surface, and open it to the page immediately after the page to be replaced. Open the book so that it lays flat, and place the replacement page into the document so that it is aligned with the other pages and is as close to the adhesive on the Fastback binding spine as possible. 
  4. Insert the document into the machine with the spine-side down, so that it is flush against the right side of the binding channel.
  5. Press and hold the “Bind” button for two seconds. The Bind Clamps will open automatically after approximately 20 seconds.
  6. With the document still in the machine, remove the page that is being replaced. To remove the page, grab the top corner and pull upward using gentle and even pressure. Since you are pulling on a corner, the page will lift away from the spine staring at one end of the document and move toward the other. Lightly tap the top edge of the replacement sheet to ensure that it is even with the other pages in the document.
  7. Once you have removed the pages as desired, pull the document out of the machine and transfer it to the Cooling Rack (placing it spine-side down). Allow the document to cool fully, which will take approximately 5-7 minutes.

How Do I Clear a Jam from the Fastback 11 Binding Machine?

The Fastback 11 binding machine by Powis Parker is an innovative and intelligently-designed thermal binding machine. From time to time, even the best binding machines will experience minor jams, so taking the time to learn the basic steps for clearing a jam will not only save you time, but will also prevent you from damaging your machine. Below are the instructions for clearing a jammed Fastback binding strip from your Fastback 11 binder:

  1. Begin by putting on the Heat Protective Glove that comes in the Accessory Pack included with every Fastback 11 binding machine. Because the inner workings of the machine are extremely hot, wearing the glove will help to protect you.
  2. Turn the Fastback 11 off and unplug it. Allow the machine to cool for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
  3. If you have chosen to install the Cooling Rack on top of the machine, remove it and set it aside.
  4. To open the machine, gently push the eraser end of a pencil through the hole in the lower right corner of the machine until the cover pops open slightly. Next, carefully push the cover open until it stops in the upright position.
  5. Remove the jammed binding strip using the Wire Tongs included in your Accessory Pack. If you cannot easily reach the jammed strip with the Wire Tongs, lifting the blue metal bookrest may make it easier to access.
  6. After removing the jammed Fastback strip, press the bookrest back into its original position, until it clicks and locks into place.
  7. Close the machine by gently pressing down on both sides of the cover until the latch clicks and locks in position.

Six Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Coil Binding Machine

Before buying a coil binding machine, it’s worth taking some time to research the different models that are available in today’s marketplace to ensure that you are getting the most appropriate machine for your needs. With the wide array of coil binders offered, identifying the best coil binding machine for you can seem overwhelming. Below are six of the most important factors to consider when comparing coil binding machine models.

  1. Punch Capacity – The punch capacity of a machine is a measure of how many pages can be punched in a single pull. For example, a 20-page punch capacity indicates that the machine is capable of punching 20 pages at a time, so documents that are larger than 20 pages will need to be punched in 20-page increments. This metric is usually measured in terms of regular 20 lb. bond paper, so the capacity will be reduced if thicker paper or cover stock is being punched.  Simply put, the greater the punch capacity, the more quickly you will be able to punch your documents (since you will be able to punch more sheets per pull and will therefore have to break documents into fewer sets).
  2. Punch Operation – There are two methods for operating the punch – manually and electrically. Manually-operated punches require that the user pulls a handle to operate the punch. Electric punches are operated with either a foot pedal or a button. Once depressed, the dies automatically pierce the sheets. Manual punches are reliant on the pressure applied by the operator, so there is a greater chance for fatigue. Because of this, manual punch machines generally have lower punch capacities than electric punch models.
  3. Coil Inserter – A coil inserter is a motorized roller that is used to help automate the coil insertion process. When the coil is placed against the roller while it is spinning, the coil twists and advances through the holes in the document. While it is possible to insert plastic binding coils by hand, an electric coil inserter greatly increases the speed at which coils are inserted. As a result, selecting a machine that has a built-in coil inserter is highly recommended for production environments.
  4. Punching Length/Open Throat – Though most people will only be binding letter-sized documents, some users may have a need to bind larger sheets. Not all coil binding machines are capable of punching sheets larger than 11″, so it is important to take note of the listed maximum punching length. The maximum punching length indicates the longest sheet size that can punched in a single pull, however machines that have an open throat have can accommodate longer documents in multiple punches. An open throat allows the excess page length to extend beyond the punch so that the unpunched portion can be turned around, reinserted into the punch, and punched in a second pass.
  5. Disengageable Pins – Disengageable pins allow the user to selectively disengage punching dies in order to leave some holes unpunched. This is extremely useful when working with unusual document sizes or specialty paper (such as three-hole punched sheets). Entry level coil binding machines generally do not offer disengageable pins as a feature, while more powerful models usually have partially-disengageable (selected pins can be disengaged) or fully-disengageable pins (all pins can be disengaged).
  6. Coil Crimping Pliers – In coil binding, the ends of the plastic coil must be cut and crimped to keep it from twisting out of the holes. The most common way of crimping the ends of the coil is to use a pair of coil crimping pliers, which simultaneously trim and bend the coil. Many coil binding machines include a set of coil crimping pliers, but it is worth taking note of this when planning your purchase so that you can purchase a set if needed.

Four Ways to Get Organized with Binding

If getting organized is one of your resolutions this year, then you’ll love these four organizational ideas that utilize your binding machine.

  1. Custom Day Planner – Using your favorite word processing or page layout program, create a blank template that is tailored to your specific needs. Unlike mass-produced planners, these custom pages give you the ability to add sections that are specific to your business or activities. Once the template is completed, print out as many double-sided copies as desired and bind them together to create the ultimate custom planner.
  2. Training Materials – Every organization has a set of training materials that have been created over the years. Make it easy for your employees or coworkers to stay on top of company procedures by binding your own training manuals. Simply gather the most frequently referred to documents, such as price lists, product brochures, and company policies, and use your binding machine to create easy-to-use guidebooks for everyone in your office.
  3. Calendars – Did you know that you can use your wire binding machine to bind your own calendars? Using free, downloadable calendar software or your favorite graphics program, create the pages for your calendar, add a notch to the center on the binding edge with a half-moon punch, then bind them together with twin-loop wire (inserting a wire calendar hanger before closing the wire). This is especially useful for organizations that need unusual calendar layouts (such as Monday through Sunday or work week-only).
  4. Log Books – Have you found yourself having difficulty keeping track of company-specific expenses or appointments in past years? Try creating your own custom log books to help you stay on top of your own information or that of your employees. Use your favorite word processing or page layout program to design a blank template for tracking expenses, listing client information, appointment notes, or whatever other information you may need to log, then turn it into a booklet with your binding machine.

How Do I Use Coil Crimpers?

When binding with spiral coils, the ends need to be crimped in order to secure the document and prevent the coil from twisting out of the holes. The most common way to cut and crimp the ends of plastic binding coils is by using a pair of specially designed hand-held pliers. Coil crimping and cutting pliers perform two distinct actions – they cut the coil so that it fits the document that is being bound and they crimp the end of the coil so that it stays in place.

To use the coil crimping pliers, hold them so that the red dot on the top of the pliers faces away from your palm. Hold the bound document so that the coil that needs to be crimped is at the top. Insert the pliers so that the lower jaw is below the coil rung that you want to crimp and the top jaw is positioned above it. Squeeze the handles to cut the coil and continue to apply pressure until the pliers are completely closed in order to crimp it. Repeat the process on the other end of the coil to finish the bind.

How Do I Make a Custom Calendar Using Wire Calendar Hangers?

Creating a custom calendar with wire calendar hangers is easy! All that is required is a 3:1 pitch wire binding machine, a half-moon punch, 5/16” twin loop binding wires (3:1 pitch), wire calendar hangers, and color copies of your photographs or promotional images that have been prepared with your favorite calendar software. Begin by using the half-moon punch to create a semi-circle notch in the center of the edge to be bound (the edge that will be used to hang the calendar). Next, align your document in the punching portion of your wire binding machine so that it has an even number of holes on both sides (note: this may require you to disengage a few pins to avoid punching partial holes in either the notched section or the outside edges of your calendar). After punching your document, cut your wire binding spine down to the appropriate length for each side of the top edge. Insert your pages as well as the wire calendar hanger into the two spine sections, and use your wire closer to complete the bind. Now your custom calendar is ready to share with a friend or colleague.

What are the Most Popular Varieties of Clear Binding Covers?

Clear binding covers are traditionally used as front covers for business reports, proposals, and employee manuals, both because of their classic look and because they allow the contents of the first page to be read without the book being opened. They also make a great, low-cost substitute for custom-printed covers, since they enable any standard-sized sheet of paper to function as a cover page.

There are five standard varieties of clear binding covers: PVC covers, non-glare covers, heat-resistant covers, matte-suede translucent covers, and matte-gloss translucent covers. PVC binding covers are traditionally the most popular clear cover style, with the widest range of sizes and thicknesses available. Non-glare binding covers are a newer addition to the marketplace, but they are quickly gaining popularity because of their glare-free finish. Heat-resistant covers are designed to withstand the extreme temperatures of thermal binding (or for use in other high-temperature environments). Matte-suede binding covers are tear- and scratch-resistant, with a smooth, matte finish on one side and a pebbled texture with a frosted finish on the other side. Matte-gloss binding covers feature a glossy finish on one side and a satin-like, anti-reflective finish on the other to help reduce glare.