Troubleshooting Your Akiles VersaMac Modular Binding Machine

The Akiles VersaMac modular binding machine is a powerful, professional-quality binding system that uses interchangeable punching dies to provide the utmost in versatility. Below are helpful tips for troubleshooting the most common problems experienced while using the VersaMac binding machine:

Problem:

  • The Power Indicator Light located on the Manual Control Panel is not on.

Possible Solution:

  • Ensure that the power cord is securely plugged in to both the machine and the wall, and check that the power switch is in the “on” position.

Problem:

  • The circuit breaker has been tripped due to using a different electrical voltage than the one specified on the VersaMac’s label.

Possible Solution:

  • Plug the machine into an outlet that uses the correct voltage and press the Circuit Breaker Reset Switch to reset it.

Problem:

  • The Die-In Indicator Light located on the Manual Control Panel is not on.

Possible Solution:

  • Make sure that the punching die has been fully inserted into the machine and that the die clamp is in the “locked” position.

Problem:

  • The top cover is open and the safety sensor has been activated.

Possible Solution:

  • Close the top cover to deactivate the safety sensor.

Problem:

  • The Manual Reverse Driver has been inserted into the machine and the safety sensor has been activated.

Possible Solution:

  • Remove the Manual Reverse Driver from the machine to deactivate the safety sensor.

Problem:

  • The foot pedal has been pressed but the punching mechanism does not activate.

Possible Solution:

  • Ensure that the foot pedal cord has been properly plugged into the machine.

Problem:

  • The punching action stopped before the punching cycle ended.

Possible Solution:

  • Clear the jam using either the electric jam release or the manual jam release. To use the electric jam release, simply press the Reverse (Anti-Jam) Switch located on the Manual Control Panel repeatedly until the motor and the punching pins have been returned to the starting position. If the electric jam release process does not work, you’ll need to utilize the manual reverse procedure. Begin by turning off the power to the machine and inserting the Manual Reverse Driver into the hole located on the left side panel of the machine. If the punching action stopped before the pins reached their fully-extended position, turn the Manual Reverse Driver counterclockwise to pull the pins out of the sheet. If the punching action stopped after the pins reached their fully-extended position, turn the Manual Reverse Driver counterclockwise to pull the pins out of the sheet. Remove the sheets from the punching throat and pull the Manual Reverse Driver out of the machine. You may also need to reset the Circut Breaker Reset Switch locating on the back on the machine.
  • After clearing the jam, insert a few less sheets into the machine and initiate the punching process.

Problem:

  • The punching die is not properly installed.

Possible Solution:

  • Make sure that both sides of the Pin Retainer Cover are securely locked in place, and that the punching die has been fully inserted into the machine with the clamp in the “locked” position.

Problem:

  • The punching action is noisy and the pins lack lubrication.

Possible Solution:

  • Remove the punching die from the machine, then carefully apply the anti-rust lubricant (included with the VersaMac) onto each of the punch pins in the die set. Re-install the punching die and punch a few sheets of scratch paper to remove any excess lubricant.

Problem:

  • The waste drawer is overfilled.

Possible Solution:

  • Empty the waste drawer.

DFG Office ECoil46 Coil Binding Machine Review

The DFG Office ECoil46 coil binding machine is a compact binder that is capable of creating coil-bound books up to 20mm thick (approximately 172 pages of 20 lb. paper) using a manual punching mechanism and an electric inserter. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the features offered by the Office ECoil46 and provide some insight on the applications for which it is suitable.

Punching

The Office ECoil46 from Digital Finishing Group (DFG) is a 4:1 pitch coil binder (four holes per inch) that has a manual punching mechanism with a 15-sheet punching capacity. It has a 11″ maximum punching length, but features an open throat with an alignment pin to accommodate larger document sizes (up to 21″ in length). With 46 fully-disengageable pins, the Office ECoil46 eliminates partially-punched holes on any document size, including specialty papers.

For added precision, the DFG ECoil46 has a built-in side margin guide that helps to ensure perfectly-centered holes on every document, regardless of length. It also has an adjustable depth margin for increased durability and a polished finish on both thick and thin books, because it allows you to set the amount of space between the holes and the edge of the sheet.

Binding

The DFG Office ECoil46 has 6″ electric coil inserter built into the top of the machine, which dramatically increases binding productivity. The inserter itself is a rubber roller that is activated by a foot pedal and advances the coil through the holes in the document as it spins. To use the coil inserter, begin by threading the coil through the first few holes of your document by hand. Use the foot pedal to engage the inserter motor and place the coil spine against the roller so that it spins the coil and feeds it through the holes in your book. To finish the bind, use a pair of coil crimping pliers to trim the excess from the ends of the book and add a crimp to secure the pages in place. The electric coil inserter is capable of inserting 4:1 pitch coils up to 20mm (3/4″) in diameter (larger coils can be inserted manually).

Coil-bound books offer a number of unique features as compared to other traditional binding styles, such as the ability to turn pages 360 degrees. Documents bound with coils also lay flat when opened, which makes coils a preferred binding method for coursebooks, presentations, and reports since they allow for easy note-taking.

In Review

Coil binding is one of the most popular binding methods for businesses and organizations of all types, because it offers variety and durability at an affordable price point. For those looking for a cost-effective binding machine for light-duty binding, the DFG Office ECoil46 is a great choice. The manual punching feature helps to keep the machine’s cost low, while the electric coil inserter helps to increase binding productivity. The ECoil46 has fully-disengageable pins and an open punching throat, so it can accommodate virtually any paper size with ease. Although it won’t stand up to high-volume usage in a production environment, the DFG Office ECoil46 would make an excellent addition to any home, small office, or school with low-volumen coil binding needs.

How Do I Use the Akiles Roll-@-Coil Electric Coil Inserter?

Designed to increase your coil binding producitivty, the Akiles Roll-@-Coil electric coil inserter is a stand-alone coil inserter that is both easy to use and affordable. The Roll-@-Coil has two 11″ rollers that insert binding coils up to 22mm (7/8″) into your books in a matter of seconds. In addition to providing superior coil insertion, this model also has a number of other handy features built in, such as a pitch identifier that compares the pitch of a punched document to that of a coil, a coil diameter selector that indicates the proper coil size based on the thickness of your book, and a coil diameter scale that allows you to measure the size of your coil.

Because it can be used as a seperate binding workstation, the Akiles Roll-@-Coil can dramatically increase productivity. Using the Roll-@-Coil electric coil inserter to bind your books is easy and takes only five simple steps:

  1. Place your pre-punched document into the U-shaped alignment channel with the punched edge facing up. This will align the holes in the pages of your document into a slight curve that will be easy to guide the coil through.
  2. Manually twist the coil through the first 4-5 holes on the right side of your document.
  3. Remove the book from the alignment channel and place the spine so that the coil lightly touches the roller.
  4. Press the foot pedal to activate the roller and begin advancing the coil through the holes.
  5. Once the tip of the coil exits the last hole of your document, immediately pull the coil away from the rollers and/or release the foot pedal. If you notice any holes or pages that have been missed during insertion, you can turn your book over and place it against the rollers to feed the coil in the opposite direction and then insert it again (beginning at step 3).
  6. To finish the bind, use a pair of manual coil crimping pliers. This will cut away any excess coil and crimp the ends to secure the pages within the bind.

Electric Business Card Cutting with the Akiles CardMac Power Pack

Designed for low-volume business card slitting, the Akiles CardMac business card cutter series is a cost-effective way to create professional-looking business cards in your home or office. Both the bleed and non-bleed versions are available with manual operation, utlizing an easy-to-turn handle to advance the sheets through and cut them to size. For users who want an even more automated cutting experience, both styles are also offered as electric versions that use a small motor to move paper through the slitters.

While other business card slitters in this category have dedicated manual and electric versions, the CardMac’s unique design uses a “power pack” to turn the manual model into an electric machine. The Akiles power pack can be purchased independently of the card cutting unit, which allows you to transform your manual machine an electric model without having to invest in a brand new machine. Furthermore, you can remove the CardMac power pack at any time to use your machine manually, which is a convenient feature for those who want to have the ease of electric cutting but still want the flexibility of being able to slit cards when an outlet is not available.

Attaching the power pack to your CardMac is fast and easy.

  1. Attach the power pack to the right side of the machine so that the drive shaft on the power pack is aligned to the side gear (where the handle would be attached). You may need to manually rotate the drive shaft slightly so that it aligns with the side gear.
  2. As the power pack is attached to the machine, listen for two clicks to ensure that it has been installed properly. The two clicks indicate that the release switch and safety lock are engaged – the power pack will not operate until the power pack has been fully inserted.
  3. Plug the power adapter into the wall and the power jack into the power pack.
  4. Press and hold the power button (located on the top of the power pack) to activate the motor.

Tamerica ECO-21 Comb Binding Machine Review

The Tamerica ECO-21 Comb Binding Machine uses plastic comb bindings to create easy-to-edit books that are up to 2″ thick (approximately 425 sheets based on regular 20 lb. paper). Below is an overview of the Tamerica ECO-21, including the benefits and limitations of this specific model.

Punching

The ECO-21 comb binder has a manual punch that is capable of punching up to 15 pages per pull (based on regular 20 lb. paper). The punching length is 12″, which enables it to punch a total of 21 holes. Since it has 21 fully-disengageable pins, you can punch any sheet size up to 12″ in a single pass, as well as specialty papers (such as three-hole punched paper). Simply punch a test sheet of the appropriate size/style and disengage the dies that correspond to any partially-punched holes. The ECO-21 also has an open throat that allows the machine to accommodate sheets longer than 12″ in a multi-punch process.

The ECO-21 has a built-in adjustable side margin that allows you to quickly and easily position your pages within the punch in order to achieve consistent punching results throughout each project. This model also has an adjustable depth margin, which gives you the ability to set the amount of space between the binding edge and the holes (a feature that is especially useful when working with thick books).

Binding

The Tamerica ECO-21 comb binder has an easy-to-use manual comb opener located at the top of the machine. The comb opener has a set of tines that extend upward from the machine, which act as a brace for the comb spine. To open a binding comb, place the loops of the comb between the tines so that the solid strip of the spine is pressed against the tines and faces the back of the machine. As you pull the comb opener handle, small prongs grab onto each of the loops of the comb and pull them into an open position. Once the comb has been opened, you can insert the punched sheets of your document onto the comb. To complete the bind, simply return the comb opener handle to the upright position and pull your finished book upward.

Comb-bound books are easy to edit – pages can be inserted, removed, or replaced without the need for any additional tools or supplies. To edit a book after binding, place the entire book onto the comb opener with the spine resting against the tines and the loops placed between them, in the same position used during binding. Begin pulling the comb opener handle until the pages can be easily accessed for editing. Once you have finished making your edits, return the comb opener handle to the upright position and remove your updated book.

The ECO-21 comb binding machine is capable of binding books up to 2″ in thickness (approximately 425 pages based on 20 lb. paper), which makes it an excellent choice for large documents such as training manuals, price books, and manuscripts.

In Review

With its durable metal construction and fully-disengageable pins, the Tamerica ECO-21 comb binder is well-suited for medium-volume use in a home, school, or office setting. While it is not a professional-grade binding machine, it does have a number of advanced features that place it in a class above other comparably-priced comb binders. The ECO-21’s versatile features do not come at the cost of usability, however, as its user-friendly design ensures simple, worry-free operation (even for those who are new to binding). If ease-of-use, versatility, and affordability are key factors in your selection of a new binding machine, then be sure to take a closer look at the ECO-21 comb binder from Tamerica.

Using the Akiles CardMac Business Card Cutter

The Akiles CardMac business card cutter is a fast and efficient way to transform your letter-sized sheets into standard business cards (2″ x 3-1/2″). The CardMac is available in two varieties – a non-bleed version that cuts 12 business cards per sheet and a bleed version that cuts 10 business cards per sheet. The non-bleed version is intended for designs in which the graphics do not extend to the edge of the cards, while the full-bleed version can create cards that have design elements that reach the perimeter of the card with no margin. Both CardMac styles are capable of slitting cards up to 12 mil (140 lb.) in thickness.

Cutting your business cards to size with the Akiles CardMac takes only four easy steps:

  1. Set up your CardMac by placing the wire guide located at the back of the machine in its upright position. Install your choice of the two handles onto the side gear (located on the right side of the machine). The CardMac comes packaged with both a crank handle and a turn handle, which can be interchanged based on user preference.
  2. Open the flap on the front of the machine.
  3. Insert a single sheet of paper into the rear-most slot. The first cut will cut the sheet into two 11″ x 3-1/2″ strips (plus waste strips), so the paper will need to be inserted vertically with the 8-1/2″ edge first. Adjust the paper guides on both sides to align the paper with the internal blades. Turn the handle to pull the sheet through the machine and cut it to size.
  4. Insert one of the 11″ x 3-1/2″ strips into the front feed tray with the 11″ edge first. Adjust the paper guides on both sides to align the paper with the internal blades. Turn the handle to pull the sheet through the machine and cut the business cards to their finished size. Repeat with the second strip to complete the process.

The Akiles CardMac business card slitter is ideal for home users, small offices, and schools that occasionally need to create short-run business cards. For even easier business card cutting, Akiles also offers an optional power pack that can be attached to either of the CardMac models to transform them into fully-electric business card slitters.

What are Spiral-O Wires?

Spiral-O wires look similar to twin loop wires, but they are specially designed to fit the same 19-hole punch pattern as comb binding. Spiral-O wires have 19 loops (similar to binding combs).

Like duo-wire, Spiral-O wire offers tamper-proof binding that is durable and lays flat when opened. The biggest advantage of binding with Spiral-O wire is that it uses the same pattern as comb binding, which means that users who already own comb binding punches do not need to purchase an additional punch, however it does require the use of a wire closer to secure the bind.

Spiral-O wire is available in sizes ranging from 1/4″ (20-30 sheets of standard 20 lb bond paper) to 1″ (190-220 sheets of 20 lb bond paper), and in seven standard colors. The per-wire cost for Spiral-O is significantly higher than that of twin loop wire, so if you plan on binding frequently, you may want to consider twin loop binding instead.

LD-320B Laminator Review: Professional-Quality Results at an Affordable Price

From identification badges to menus to point-of-purchase displays, a pouch laminator can create a wide array of business materials for organizations of all sizes.  Finding the right pouch laminator for your business means striking the right balance between cost and features – especially in today’s economy.  In this post, we take a look at the TL-320B 12″ pouch laminator, which pairs professional-level features with a budget-friendly price. 


The Basics

The TL-320B pouch laminator is a thermal pouch laminator that is capable of laminating pouches ranging from 3 – 10 mils in thickness.  It has a 12.6″ maximum laminating width, which makes it an excellent choice for letter-, legal-, and menu-sized documents.  In addition to having two heated rollers, the LD-320B also has a set of two cold rollers (which help to dissipate heat after laminating to ensure that your document is flat).  The rollers themselves are coated with silicone, which prevents adhesive residue from sticking to them.  Silicone rollers also help to protect your pouches against scuffs and scratches (often left by heat shoe laminators).

To use the TL-320B laminator, begin by adjusting the digital temperature setting based on the thickness of your pouches.  Once the laminator has reached the proper temperature (approximately 3 – 4 minutes), simply insert the pouch containing your document so that it feeds between the rollers.  The LD-320B has a laminating speed of 25.6″ per minute, so it will laminate nearly three letter-sized documents every 60 seconds.  After your laminated document has exited through the back of the machine, allow it to lay flat to cool.  In the case of an accidental misfeed or jam, the LD-320B features a convenient reverse switch that changes the direction of the rollers so that you can remove your document.

Benefits of the LD-320B

While the LD-320B has a number of useful features, the most obvious benefit of this specific model is the price.  Though the LD-320B offers the same laminating speed, laminating width, and laminating thickness range as other office- and professional-quality models, this machine retails for less than half of the price of other comparable units.  It is built for durability – featuring a sleek metal casing and metal internal gears – which means that it can stand up to frequent use in an office environment.  Furthermore, the LD-320 includes a one-year warranty for added peace-of-mind.

In Review

Pouch laminators make versatile additions to practically every office.  They are compact, easy-to-use, and surprisingly affordable – especially in the case of the LD-320B.  This 12″ pouch laminator is capable of laminating full-size menus as well as small identification cards (and everything in-between) in thicknesses ranging from 3 – 10 mils.  It features two heated silicone rollers, two cold rollers (designed to help documents lay flat after lamination), metal casing and gears, a quick, 3 – 4 minute warm-up time, a reverse switch, and an easy-to-adjust digital temperature setting.  Despite being a professional-quality laminator, the TL-320B pouch laminator has a price tag that is less than half of the retail price of comparable models.  If you’re looking for a thermal pouch laminator that is durable, powerful, and affordable, then take a closer look at the LD-320B.

The Akiles FlexiCloser: Automate Your Wire Binding Process

Wire binding has become the preferred binding method for individuals and organizations who deal with sensitive documents – both because it is tamper-resistant and because it is incredibly durable. While there are a number of quality electric punches designed for wire binding, wire closing has traditionally been an entirely manual process.  In this post, we take a closer look at the new Akiles FlexiCloser automatic wire closer and learn more about its unique features.


The Basics

Binding wires (also called “twin-loop wires” or “duo-wires”) are made of metal and are sold in 2:1 and 3:1 pitches.  Generally, the 3:1 pitch binding wires are only available in sizes smaller than 1/2″ and 2:1 pitch wires are offered in sizes between 9/16″ and 1-1/4″, though some of the smaller sizes are offered in 2:1 pitch as specialty items.  Regardless of the pitch pattern used, a wire closer is required in order to close the open wire spine and secure the documents in place.

Nearly all of the wire closers available in the marketplace today are manual, which means that they require the user to make adjusts based on the size of the wire that is being closed and pull a handle to engage the closing channel.  Though this method works well for closing wires, it can be fairly time consuming (especially for high-volume production environments).  The Akiles FlexiCloser not only closes wires electrically with the simple push of a button, but also automatically senses the size of the wire being used and adjusts to ensure a perfect close every time.

Benefits of the FlexiCloser

Since the Akiles FlexiCloser is electric, it helps to reduce operator fatigue and increases production output.  Furthermore, the automatic sensing feature helps to reduce the number of improperly-closed wires, which helps to reduce unnecessary waste.  In addition to the precision offered by the automatic sensing feature, the Akiles Flexicloser can also be fine-tuned using the “Micro-Adjust” capabilities for a professional finish. 

The FlexiCloser offers a wide array of other convenient features, such as a magnetic back to hold the wire spine in place, an easy-to-read LCD control panel, a built-in safety sensor for worry-free closing, and an optional mount that allows the closer to be affixed to the top of the FlexiPunch binding machine.  This unit is specifically designed for heavy-duty, high-volume usage, and has a full one-year warranty.

In Review

When it comes to durability and security in bound documents, wire binding is one of the best options.  The process of manually closing the wires, however, has made many high-output organizations look to less time-consuming binding methods.  The Akiles FlexiCloser electrically senses and closes wires with ease, increasing production output and accuracy.  If you have always wanted to bring wire binding capabilities into your office but have been dissuaded by the manual closing process, or if you already perform wire binding and have been seeking a way to improve your productivity, then be sure to take a closer look at the Akiles FlexiCloser.

Creating Custom Lanyards is Easier Than Ever!

Custom branded promotional products are an excellent way to enhance brand identity or share your promotional message with potential customers. Lanyards are among the most versatile of these custom products, since they can be used to hold everything from identification cards and trade show credentials to keys and backstage passes. In this post, we’ll explore the world of custom lanyards, and provide an overview of our new Design-A-Lanyard tool.

Custom Lanyards

The Basics

Lanyards can be made from a variety of materials, but are most commonly made with polyester, polypropylene, or cotton. The length of a neck lanyard is measured by the total strap length measured end-to-end (generally between 35” and 38”), but the actual length when worn is approximately half of that measurement. Many styles include a breakaway clasp, which is a safety feature that separates when pressure is applied to eliminate the risk of accidental strangulation. There are also a number of specialized attachments that can be affixed to the end of the lanyard, ranging from basic lanyard hooks and standard swivel hooks to swivel bulldog clips and no-twist plastic hooks.

Uses

Because of their versatility, customized lanyards are popular with everyone from school sports teams to Fortune 500 companies. They can be used to hold badges for employees that work within secure buildings, display vendor information cards at trade shows, identify participants in a sporting event (such as a marathon), make event staff easy to recognize, display students’ school ID cards, organize groups during summer camps, or to help distinguish authorized hospital visitors at a glance.

Customization

Creating custom lanyards is easy, thanks to our newly launched Design-A-Lanyard tool. This user-friendly interface allows you to select your lanyard color and style, desired attachments, print color, and font (if applicable), and enables you to upload your logo or other artwork. The result is an instant, on-screen proof paired with accurate pricing, both of which adjust automatically as revisions are made. Custom lanyards are surprisingly affordable, starting at only $0.52 per piece, with a turnaround time of less than three weeks and a minimum order of only 100 pieces.

In Review

Whether you’re looking for a way to keep employee badges handy or a promotional give-away item for an upcoming trade show, custom lanyards are a useful promotional piece that your employees and customers will actually use. Lamination Depot’s Design-A-Lanyard tool makes the process of creating a custom lanyard easier than ever, with a user-friendly, interactive interface that reflects changes as they are made, creating an instant proof and detailed quote. Try our new Design-A-Lanyard tool today.