From law offices and financial institutions to home offices and schools, it seems that almost every organization has a need to bind documents these days. Wire binding is one of the most durable and tamper-resistant binding methods available, and the OffiWire wire binding machine from Akiles is a great entry-level machine for low-volume binding projects. Below is an overview of binding a document with the Akiles OffiWire:
- The first step is to adjust the Side Margin Guide to reflect your document size. Note: There are separate margin settings for letter-sized paper and the 11-1/4″ round corner binding covers that are often used with letter-sized documents. Be sure to use the proper setting for both your covers and your inner pages, adjusting the margin mid-run if necessary.
- Tap your document repeatedly against your working surface to align all of the edges.
- Insert your document into the punching throat, aligning the pages against the side margin as well as the back of the punching channel. The OffiWire has a 10-sheet punch capacity (based on regular 20lb. paper; using thicker paper or cover stock will reduce the punch capacity). Note: Though the OffiWire is capable of punching 10 sheets per lift, limiting your sets to only 8 pages will help reduce operator fatigue during long runs.
- Pull the handle forward to punch your sheets, then return it to its upright position. If your document is longer than 10 pages, then you will need to repeat steps 3 and 4, working in 10-page increments until all pages are punched.
- Slide the document into the wire selector to determine the correct binding wire size to use.
- Insert the selected wire into the wire snatch, sliding it in beginning at the right side of the machine.
- With the wire firmly inserted into the wire snatch, insert the inner pages of your document onto the wire. Next, insert the front cover followed by the back cover, with the inside of the back cover facing up.
- Once all of the pages have been inserted onto the wire, carefully pull the book out of the wire snatch.
- Place the document into the wire closer, with the open side of the spine facing down and resting against the bottom of the closer.
- Pull the wire closer handle down to close the wire, applying uniform pressure to help ensure an even closure. Once the wire has been closed, return the handle to its upright position. Note: The seam of the closed wire should be just touching. If the wire is under- or over-closed, slightly adjust the bilateral closer controls before binding your next document.
- Take your document our of the wire closer, and turn the back cover to the back of the book to finish the bind.