COLD-MOUNT LAMINATOR SERIES

OPERATORS MANUAL

Models: JM18, JM26, JM34, JM44, JM44 SHA, JM54, JM54SHA

Copyright © 2006 Drytac Corporation / Revised © 2008 Drytac Corporation

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be utilized or reproduced in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means; electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from Drytac Corporation.

Welcome to the World of Drytac

Over the past three decades, Drytac has evolved into one of the world‟s most highly

regarded manufacturers of products for graphics finishing and display. Our core product line

consists of a wide range of pressure-sensitive, heatset and thermal overlaminating films. In

addition, we offer an extensive line of mounting adhesives, backing films, inkjet media,

finishing equipment, accessories, and banner stands.

Our “Start To Finish” strategy sums up Drytac‟s unique ability to manage all phases of the

customer experience: product quality and performance, manufacturing and distribution,

training and technical support and the industry‟s best customer service.

Jet Mounter™ Professional Quality Entry-Level Models

JM18, JM26, and JM34

These solid mid-size models deliver superior results for beginners and experienced users

alike. Easy to set up and operate, the JM18‟s and JM26‟s are widely used by photography

studios, picture framers, digital art studios and other creative shops, and our newest model

the JM34 are sure to also be as popular. Standard features include: all-steel construction,

variable speed electric drive, forward and reverse, foot pedal control, silicone rollers, photo-

electric safety stop and supply shaft.

Since all three models have many of the same features, consider references in this manual

pertaining to the JM26 to be applicable to the JM18 and the JM34.

Jet Mounter™ Wide Format Laminators

Drytac‟s Pressure-Sensitive Cold-Mount Models deliver economy and versatility for graphics

finishing. The JetMounter ™ motorized laminator series is engineered by Drytac to deliver a

combination of performance and value unequalled in the finishing industry. Compatible with

any pressure-sensitive overlaminating film, JetMounters are also ideal for permanently

mounting graphics onto cardstock, foam board, MDF or rigid PVC board.

All electric models include variable-speed electric drive, silicone rollers, all-steel

construction, forward and reverse, supply shaft, foot pedal and photo-electric safety stop.

The three heavy-duty wide-format models, (JM44, JM54, and the new JM63) are the

culmination of our three decades in the mounting and laminating business. Equipped with

the performance features our customers demand, JetMounter ™ wide format models are

Important Safety Information ......................................................................................... 6

Specific Moving Instructions .................................................................................. 10

Unpacking and Installation..................................................................................... 11

JM Components .................................................................................................... 12

Component Illustrations ........................................................................................ 14

Setting Roller Pressure .......................................................................................... 15

JM44SHA/JM54SHA Roller Pressure Adjustment ................................................. 16

Adjusting Shaft Tensions ....................................................................................... 17

Mounting With the JetMounter™ Laminators Mounting Board Selection...................................................................................... 18

Adhesive Selection ................................................................................................ 18

Pre-coating the Mounting Board ............................................................................ 18

Mounting a Graphic to a Pre-Coated Board ........................................................... 20

Laminating with the JetMounter™ Laminators Selecting a Laminate Film ..................................................................................... 21

Single Unmounted Graphic .................................................................................... 22

Single Mounted Graphic ........................................................................................ 23

Laminating Multiple Mounted Images .................................................................... 24

Using a Leader Board ............................................................................................ 25

Carrier Boards ....................................................................................................... 26

Preparing Mounting Boards ................................................................................... 26

Care and Maintenance .................................................................................................... 27

Technical Specifications ........................................................................................ 29

Contact Information ............................................................................................... 30

Replacement Parts ................................................................................................ 32

B Revision Functional Requirements ..................................................................... 33

JM44SHA/JM54SHA Nip Adjustment Procedure ......................................................34

Thank you for purchasing a Drytac JetMounter ™ Cold Mount Laminator. The information

contained in this manual will familiarize you with the basic methods of mounting and

laminating using this easy-to-use two roller laminator. This manual covers five JetMounter ™

models:

TBA

TBA

JM44/JM44SHA

JM54/54SHA

These models are similar in operation, but not identical. Unless otherwise indicated, the

instructions are for the JM26 model. Specific comments regarding the JM44, JM54 and

JM54SHA models are made where differences occur.

Before operating this equipment for the first time, it is crucial that you take the time to read

and understand all of the following safety-related information. Failure to follow these

procedures could result in serious personal injury and/or damage to the equipment and work

Safety Signal Words and Symbols

Danger symbols indicate imminently hazardous situations that, if not avoided, will result in

serious injury or death.

Pinch Hazard Inside Panel

Warning symbols indicate a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result

in severe injury or death.

Caution headings indicate a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, may result in

minor or moderate injury.

This symbol indicates a statement of company policy directly or indirectly related to the

safety of personnel or protection of property.

Pinch Hazard Inside Panel

Pinch point. Keep hands clear during operation.

These symbols indicate a dangerous pinch hazard exists.

This caution label indicates that a heavy object is involved and assistance is needed to avoid

The JetMounter ™ performs mounting and laminating using two rollers to apply

uniform pressure to adhesives and overlaminating films. The point where the rollers touch

the material is called the Nip. This area creates a potential pinch hazard for fingers or other

objects. DO NOT OPERATE THIS EQUIPMENT IF YOU ARE UNWILLING TO ACCEPT

THIS HAZARD! TO AVOID INJURY, ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FINGERS AWAY FROM THE

NIP AREA.

No persons under the age of 16 should be allowed to operate the equipment.

The following safety features are designed to offer a reasonable measure

of protection against injury while maintaining an operator-friendly machine. Please do not

attempt to disable or alter their functionality in any way. Any modifications will void the

warranty and pose a serious risk to the operator. Contact Drytac Technical Services if

any malfunction of the equipment occurs and stop using the machine immediately!

Models are equipped with an electric eye in front of the roller Nip which, when interrupted,

will stop the rollers immediately and sound a buzzer as a warning to indicate that an object is

breaking the photocell circuit. This occurs when the mode switch is set to “Auto”. Please be

particularly cautious when operating the JetMounter ™ in the Foot Pedal mode because in

this mode the rollers WILL NOT STOP when the photocells are interrupted. An audible alarm

will sound, but the rollers will continue to turn at a reduced speed.

Prior to operating the laminator, always check that the photocell and buzzer are working

properly. Select the Auto mode and use a piece of cardboard to block the photocells to

confirm that the alarm sounds and the rollers stop.

All JetMounters are also equipped with red Emergency Stop buttons located on the top on

one or both sides of the laminator.

The Emergency Stop button will stop the machine

instantly. Stopping the machine in the Foot mode can also be accomplished by lifting your

foot off the pedal, turning the speed to zero (0) OR turning off the power switch.

DO NOT operate this equipment when you are alone. As with all motorized equipment, it is

advisable that other adults be present to assist if required.

DO NOT operate the JetMounter ™ while under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs or

any other substance that could impair your judgment or reaction time.

Remove any jewelry such as rings, bracelets and necklaces prior to operating the

equipment. Keep loose clothing, neckties, artificial fingernails, long hair and anything else

that might easily be drawn into the rollers away from the machine.

Turn the JetMounter ™ power OFF if you are loading adhesives or film, cleaning the rollers or

performing other activities that require close proximity of your fingers to the Nip. This will

avoid the possibility of inadvertently starting the machine. Keep all safety guards in place

and your fingers away from the Nip area when the machine is operating.

Always work at a slow speed until you become familiar with the machine.

Exercise caution when lifting rolls of laminate and adhesive due to their weight.

assistance to avoid personal injury or damage to the equipment and materials.

Prior to lifting a supply shaft into the laminator, position the T-Slot in the hub on the

machine‟s right side to receive the shaft. The use of an assistant is strongly recommended.

Always disconnect the laminator from the

power supply before removing any panels

When using a large supply roll, be aware that a pinch hazard can exist

between the top roller and the supply shaft. When working from the rear of

the laminator the operator must be aware of the Nip point of the contacting

rollers and exercise extreme caution to avoid injury.

The sound pressure level this machine generates at the operators‟ position is less than

Keep this manual near the machine for future reference. Also check our website for any

additional or updated safety information. (www.drytac.com)

An instructional DVD and a demonstration/training session from a Drytac representative are

also available so you can become familiar with all the features of your new JetMounter ™ .

Contact our Customer Service Department for details or if you have any questions about the

operation of this equipment. (Contact information can be found on page 30).

Specific Moving Instructions:

The Drytac JetMounter ™ 44 and 54 should be handled with

care to avoid personal injury or collateral damage.

Whenever the machine is moved, we strongly recommend

utilizing at least two people. The adage: “Better safe than

The JetMounter ™ stands are designed with fixed wheels on

one side and lockable swivel casters on the other for a very

good reason. When moving the machine, the movers

should be positioned at both sides. Do not push the JetMounter ™ from the front or

back! This eliminates the possibility of having the machine tip over onto the mover or their

Upon receipt of your new JetMounter ™ , inspect the carton(s) carefully for signs of physical

Report any damage to the shipping company immediately and

contact Drytac Corporation if replacement parts are needed.

If no damage is apparent,

proceed with the unpacking.

It is recommended that two people unpack the JM18, JM 26 and

JM34 to avoid damage to the equipment or personal injury.

unpack the JM44 and 54 you must follow the instructions affixed to

the top of the crate in the sequence described. If the instructions

are missing be sure to contact Drytac Technical Services before attempting to unpack or

Due to the weight of the JM44 and JM54 laminators a hoist or suitable lift must

be used to position the machine on an appropriate table or stand.

Select a clean, well-lighted working area that allows access to both the front and back of the

machine. Position the machine on a level, sturdy surface that can support the weight of the

machine and is at an optimum working height for the operator. (See Technical Specifications

Chart on page 30 for individual weight and size dimensions). The JM44‟s and JM54‟s are

available with optional stands that have casters for ease of movement as well as a storage

rack for preloaded supply shafts.

JetMounter ™ laminators, depending on the country in which the machine was purchased, are

supplied in either a 115 VAC or 230 VAC versions.

The power requirements for your

particular machine are marked on the rear panel adjacent to the power connector. Please

confirm that you have the correct power source available at the chosen location. If there are

any questions about electrical requirements for the equipment, please contact a qualified

electrician prior to attempting to power up the machine! Be absolutely certain that the

voltage supplied at the outlet corresponds with the voltage marked on the plate attached to

your machine. Do not rely on the cord or outlet configuration to determine the correct power

ALLOW ENOUGH WORKSPACE AROUND THE MACHINE TO BE ABLE

TO FEED AND REMOVE YOUR WORKPIECE SAFELY!

It is recommended that the machine be placed so that at least three feet of space from the

front and back beyond the largest piece of material you will use be provided to insure

adequate accessibility and safety. For example, if your work piece were a four-foot by eight-

foot foam board, you would need to allow a minimum of eleven feet of space in front and

eleven feet of space in the rear of your machine. Always consider this rule a necessity prior

to beginning your work. (Converted figures in the illustration below in metric are 3 meters

1. The main On-Off switch is a rocker switch located on the back of the machine near the

power cord entry. This switch should be in the “OFF” position when loading or unloading

adhesives or film, cleaning the rollers or performing other activities that require close

proximity of your fingers to the Nip.

2. The Auto/Foot/Reset switch. This two-position rocker switch on the front control panel

is used to choose the mode of operation between “Foot” and “Auto”. The photocell

safety feature functions differently in each position. It is important to review the safety

information prior to selecting the mode of operation. This switch also serves as a Reset.

Upon powering up the machine, when the photocell is tripped or one of the Emergency

Stops has been activated, you must toggle the switch before proceeding. Be sure to

first remove the obstruction, reposition the emergency stop or correct the cause for the

shut down in order to effectively Reset the machine. If the shut down was caused by a

thermal overload condition, you must first allow the circuit breaker on the back of the

machine to cool (approximately 20-30 seconds), then reset the breaker and then reset

the machine by toggling the Auto/Foot/Reset switch.

Original JM44/JM54 Control Panel

3. The Foot Pedal switch should be positioned on the floor within easy reach of the

operator. It is used to activate the roller when the Auto/Foot switch is in the “Foot”

mode. NOTE: The Foot Pedal acts as a safety device. When the mode switch is set to

the Foot position, the laminator will not operate unless the Foot Pedal is depressed.

4. On the original front control panel, the Forward/Reverse rocker switch is used to select

the direction of the roller rotation. Upon start up, place the switch in the “OFF” position.

On the models with the push button control panel, simply push the desired button to

Reverse only operates in Foot mode.

5. The Speed Control switch. Rotating the knob to the right will increase the speed of the

roller in either “Foot” or “Auto” mode. Upon start up, rotate the knob all the way to the

left to the off position.

6. The Pressure Control Knobs are located on the top of each side. They adjust the top

roller height and pressure. Rotate both Pressure Control Knobs counter-clockwise to

raise the top roller. (See “Setting Roller Pressure” to adjust the pressure properly). On

the SHA (Single Height Adjustment) models, the single hand wheel is located on the

right end case. Simply turn the hand wheel to raise or lower the top roller. The LED

readouts on the SHA, (located either on the top or the front of the right end case), will

show the roller height in millimeters and the pressure on a bar graph as percentage.

7. The Supply Shaft holds the adhesive or laminate material, while the Take Up or wind-

up shaft holds the release liner.

When either of the shafts is installed, the T-slot end must be oriented

properly to fit in the drive mechanism located on the right end of the machine, as you

face it from the front. The operator and the assistant should consider this prior to lifting

the loaded shaft into position.

Once in position, be alert to the possible pinch hazard at the left

This procedure begins with the main power switch off, the mode switch set to Auto, the

directional switch set to the OFF position and the speed knob fully counterclockwise.

following steps apply to setting the roller pressure ONLY on models with dual pressure sets.

1. Rotate both Pressure Control Knobs counterclockwise to raise the top roller.
2. Slide a section of the mounting board into the roller Nip.
3. Rotate both Pressure Control Knobs clockwise to lower the top roller until it makes light

contact with the mounting board.

4. Turn the main switch to the ON position; the power indicator light will come on.
5. Turn the mode switch to the Foot position.
6. Turn the Forward/Reverse switch to the Reverse position.
7. Depress the Foot Pedal.
8. Slowly turn the Speed Control knob to remove the board from the rollers (reverse).
9. Switch the Forward/Reverse switch to the OFF position.
10. For optimal results, rotate both Pressure Control knobs approximately 1/8 of a turn

clockwise to slightly lower the roller (after the board has been removed).

Supply/ Unwind Tensioner

Wind up/Take up Tensioner

Hand Wheel Height Adjust

JM54 Single Height Adjustment (SHA)

JM44SHA/ JM54SHA Roller Pressure Adjustment

The nip gap is the space between the upper and lower main rollers. Both the nip gap and the

processing pressure are controlled by the Height Adjust Hand Wheel, which raises or lowers

the upper roller. The Hand Wheel is located on the end of the right cabinet. The upper roller

height should be adjusted according to the images or substrates being processed.

Overlaminating and Encapsulation: To process thin images the nip gap should be closed

with the pressure set to 40%.

Mounting: When mounting on substrates the nip gap should be set to the thickness of the

substrate by turning the Hand Wheel. The leading edge of the substrate should be inserted

and the pressure set according to the density of the substrate. Hard substrates such as

Masonite® or Sintra® should be set to 40% to 60%. In order to avoid compressing soft

substrates such as foamboard pressure should be set from 10% to 30%.

Narrow Graphics: Usually narrow graphics take less pressure to apply the image or

Checking Roller Parallelism:

Cut two 2”x4” strips of paper or cardstock of the same thickness. Raise the upper roller and

insert the strips of paper between the upper and lower rollers about 2” from each end. Lower

the upper roller until it just contacts one of the strips of paper. There should be resistance

while pulling the paper out from between the roller, but it should not turn the roller. Check the

strip of paper on the other end of the roller and it should have the exact same resistance

while sliding it in and out of the roller. If the resistance is less on one side than the other, the

rollers should be paralleled. (See Appendix for detailed procedure.)

Adjusting Shaft Tensions on JM44 and JM54 Models:

JetMounter™ JM44 and JM54 models are equipped with a motorized Take Up shaft on the

front of the machine. This shaft winds up the release liner from mounting adhesive and

overlaminating film rolls during processing. Also on these models, both the Take Up haft

and the Supply shaft are equipped with Tension Control Knobs. By adjusting these knobs

you control the speed of the shafts as they unwind or wind up material.

It is important to adjust these settings so that there is an even tension on the adhesive or film

during processing. The objective is to apply enough resistance on the film to keep it firm and

flat, but not so much as to stretch or distort it. It is also critical to maintain even tension

settings on both sides of the film. Turn the Tension Control Knobs clockwise to increase

roll tension and counter-clockwise to reduce tension.

Supply shaft tension: When feeding adhesive or film into the rollers, the primary objective

is to maintain the feed at the same rate as the rollers pull the material through the Nip.

Take Up shaft tension: The Release Liner should be pulled away from the adhesive at a

steady rate that allows it to “lift” at a point just before the material enters the Nip.

Mounting with JetMounter™ Laminators

Mounting Board (Substrate) Selection:

The selection of a proper mounting board/substrate is very important. Common materials

used are:

• Foam Boards: (FomeCor®, GatorBoard®, HartBoard® etc.)
• MDF (medium density fiberboard)
• Corrugated plastic boards: CoroPlast®
• Rigid Plastic Boards (Sintra®, styrene, etc.)
• Tempered hardboard: Masonite®

Once the mounting board has been selected, determine whether to pre-coat the material with

adhesive or to purchase pre-cut and pre-coated boards. While the use of pre-cut, pre-coated

materials will save time, coating your own mounting board is more economical and allows for

maximum flexibility in terms of sizing and substrate selection.

Pre-coating the Mounting Board

Pre-coating a mounting board means applying a mounting adhesive to one side of the board

so that a graphic image can be mounted to the board later). The use of a Leader Board is

recommended for this process.

1. Adjust rollers for proper pressure (see pages 15-16).
2. Load the roll of PSA (pressure-sensitive adhesive) onto the Supply shaft so that the

material can be pulled toward the user from the underside of the roll with the adhesive

side facing UP (the release liner side should be in contact with the roller as shown in the

3. Pull the adhesive off of the roll so that about 4” lies flat on the worktable and is draped in

front of the rollers.

4. Lay your Leader Board on top of the exposed adhesive material on the worktable; then

push the Leader Board and adhesive into the Nip (the „Nip‟ of your laminator is the point

where the rollers make contact). When pushing the Leader Board into the adhesive,

make sure it is parallel to the rollers.

5. Position your first mounting board behind and against the Leader Board. Check for

proper alignment, and feed through the rollers (in either AUTO mode or via FOOT

switch). Feed one board after another as needed.

Trim the excess adhesive off of the board.

6. Your mounting boards are now pre-coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive, which is still

protected by the release paper. The pre-coated boards can be used for immediate

mounting or stored for future use.

TIP: When an image is going to be laminated with a gloss overlaminating film, the use of

very smooth substrates with glossy surfaces (such as Masonite®) is preferred. This will

minimize the effect of board imperfections, (i.e. “orange peel”) in the finished product.

For models JM44 and JM54, adjust the Supply shaft tension properly (page 17).

NOTE: We recommend placing a „Tail Board‟ behind the last production board (this can be

the same board used as a leader board/starting panel). This is especially important when

Mounting a Graphic to a Pre-Coated Board

1. Adjust the rollers for proper pressure (see Page 17).
2. Expose the adhesive on the board by folding back approximately 1” (2.5cm) of the
3. Using the folded-back release paper as a temporary support bridge, align the print onto

the board and then proceed to “tack” (stick or press down) the leading edge of the print

onto the exposed adhesive.

4. Run a Leader Board of the same thickness as your mounting board through the rollers

so that the back edge of the Leader Board is at the nip of your machine.

5. Square your mounting board with the tacked print against the edge of the Leader Board

and drape the print over the top roller.

6. Run the mounting board/adhesive/image through the rollers while simultaneously pulling

the release liner away from and off of the board.

(JM44 and JM54 models have automatic Take Up shafts on the front of the chassis. You

may choose to unwind the Release Liner onto the Take Up shaft during this process, rather

than pulling it by hand. See page 17 for information on setting the Take Up Shaft tension).

Laminating with JetMounter ™ Laminators

Selecting a Laminating Film

Select an appropriate overlaminating film for the surface of your image based on aesthetics

and the conditions under which it will be displayed. Drytac offers a wide variety of films to

match your specific output and application.

Please consult your Drytac catalog for

descriptions of available film choices.

There are several types of laminating jobs that can be performed on JetMounter™

laminators. The following are the most common applications. To prevent adhesives from

sticking to the rollers and to provide a reusable, standard working surface, the use of a

silicone-coated board (also known as a “Carrier Board”) is highly recommended. (See page

Laminating a Single Unmounted Image

Before processing, make sure that the image is clean and free of dust or specks of lint (an

Anti-Static cloth or Anti-Static Wisk is recommended for this purpose).

1. Raise the top roller and insert the Carrier Board. Set roller pressure as described on
2. Pre-cut a sheet of overlaminating film from the roll. (The sheet should be larger than the

image by approximately 1” on each side and bottom, and 2” on the top).

3. Peel and fold back approximately 2” of release liner from the top edge of the

overlaminating film. Tack the film on the Carrier Board by pressing the exposed section

of film onto the leading edge of the board.

4. Start the Carrier Board into your laminator using the Foot Pedal mode. Stop before the

edge of the laminating film reaches the rollers.

5. Lift up the remainder of the overlaminating film (which is still protected by the release

liner) and slide the image face up underneath it. Stop before it makes contact with the

exposed part of the adhesive. It is important to keep the film adhesive away from the

artwork until the whole assembly is under pressure and traveling through the

6. Lay the laminating film over the top of the upper roller. While holding up the edge of the

peeled back release liner with one hand, start the rollers and apply the overlaminating

film to the surface of the image. Pull up and away on the release paper as your work

piece travels through the laminator. Ensure that the release paper does not reach the

point where the image makes contact with the top roller. Be sure to complete this step

with a consistent motion and do not stop until the entire image has passed through the

7. The laminated image can now be easily removed from the silicone-coated Carrier Board

for trimming and mounting.

Laminating a Single Mounted Image

Before processing, make sure that the images are clean and free of dust or specks of lint (an

Anti-Static cloth or Anti-Static Wisk is recommended for this purpose).

1. Raise the top roller and insert the mounted image into the roller Nip. Adjust the roller

pressure as described on pages 15-16.

2. Pre-cut a sheet of overlaminating film from the roll. The sheet should be larger than the

image by approximately 1/4” on the sides and bottom and 3” longer on the top.

3. Peel and fold back 2” of release paper liner exposing the adhesive of the laminating film.
4. Tack approximately 1-1/2” of the laminating film to the Leader Board, but not over the
5. Insert the Leader Board with the laminating film tacked to it into the Nip. Advance the

Leader Board and the film through the Nip until the upper laminating roller securely

pinches the film. (The trailing edge of the Leader Board should be at the pinch point of

6. Lay the laminating film over the top of the upper laminating roller. Make sure that the

folded release paper liner is easily accessible.

7. Slide the mounted image into the Nip area and allow its edge to make contact with the

edge of the Leader Board.

8. While holding up the folded edge of the peeled back release paper with one hand, start

the rollers and apply the laminating film to the surface of the image. Pull up and away on

the release liner as you advance to ensure that the liner does not reach the Nip area.

Process your work with a consistent motion and do not stop until the entire image has

passed through the rollers.

9. Trim excess overlaminating film from the edges of the image.

Laminating Multiple Mounted Images

1. For higher volume jobs, select a roll of laminating film slightly wider than the mounted

images you intend to laminate.

2. Install the overlaminating film on the Supply shaft so that the material can be pulled

toward the user from the bottom of the roll with the Release Liner side facing up.

3. Adjust the rollers for proper pressure (see pages 15-16).
4. Pull several inches of the overlaminating film off the roll. Separate the overlaminating film

from its release liner (approximately 3-4”) and drape it onto the in-feed table in front of

the rollers. Keep the release liner away from the film while pushing the Leader Board and

film into the roller Nip.

5. Position the first mounted image to be laminated against the back of the Leader Board.

Check for proper alignment, and feed through the rollers of your laminator (in Auto mode

or with foot pedal). Feed one print in right after another, as needed.

6. Carefully separate prints with a razor blade or utility knife. Trim off the excess film.

JM44 and JM54 models have automatic Take Up shafts on the front of the chassis. You may

choose to unwind the Release Liner onto the Take Up shaft during this process, rather than

pulling it by hand. (See page 17 for information on setting Take Up Shaft tension).

Using a Leader Board

A Leader Board (also referred to as a “starting panel”) is recommended for use when

mounting and laminating with JetMounter™ laminators. A Leader Board is fed into the roller

Nip first, followed by the actual mounting/laminating project to be processed. We highly

recommend this tool to help set proper pressure for both mounting and laminating prior to

The Leader Board should be the same width and thickness of your production mounting

board and about 6-8” long. You should also make a Tail Board, which is used behind the last

production board. The Tail Board is especially recommended for mounting to foam board.

When processing un-mounted images, we recommend you use a silicone-coated board to

prevent adhesives from sticking to the rollers. This board is called a Carrier Board, and it

provides a re-usable, standard working surface. It will be used when laminating your image

prior to mounting it onto a mounting board/substrate. It is common practice for finishing

professionals to stock Carrier Boards in several different sizes to accommodate various

Making a Carrier Board is basically the same process as pre-coating a mounting board.

Instructions for this process are found on page 15. When the mount board is coated with the

adhesive, the silicone-coated release liner provides a slick, non-stick surface on which to

laminate images. Be sure to use a “self-wound” adhesive with a silicone treated liner for this

2: Preparing Mounting Boards

Once you have decided on the most appropriate adhesive/mounting board combination for

your application, it is important that you properly prepare your board before coating.

Although often overlooked, this can be the most important step when mounting a print or

(E.G. FOME-COR®, ETC.)

The surface of these types of substrates is porous and often contains particles that can spoil

an otherwise perfect mount. Clay-coated surfaces such as Fome-Cor®, Foam-X® and

similar boards should simply be wiped with a Tac Cloth™ to remove dust particles.

To prepare mat board or mill board for mounting, use the Anti-Static Wisk™ brush to remove

dust particles and other debris.

(E.G. MEDIUM DENSITY FIBERBOARD, MASONITE, ETC.)

To prepare hardboard substrates for mounting, wipe down the surface with a TacCloth. If the

surface contains irregularities, use sandpaper to remove them, and then wipe the surface

with a Tac Cloth.

Please note: Due to their highly absorbent properties, do not wipe down the surfaces of any

of these substrates (i.e. foam board, mat/millboard or hardboard) with a moist rag.

Use a Tac Cloth to wipe down foam board.

Tip: It is important that you remove dust and other debris from your prints prior to mounting.

CAUTION: Unplug the machine before performing any service or maintenance.

Cleaning: In order for your JetMounter ™ to operate efficiently, be sure to clean it

regularly with a soft cloth. A neutral mixture of soap and water can be used for this

purpose. To remove heavy dirt and adhesive residue we suggest the use of 99%

Do not use thinner or a metal brush to clean the rollers.

Rollers: In order to extend the life of your JetMounter ™ laminator it is strongly

recommended that the rollers be separated when the machine is not in use.

Fuses: There are two replaceable fuses on your JetMounter ™ located on the rear

panel where the power cord enters the machine. One is actually in the power cord

receptacle. The other is in a separate holder next to the power cord. Fuses are

5x20mm 1, 2 or 8 Amp depending on the particular machines‟ voltage requirements.

The use of any other fuse may endanger the operator and/or machine and invalidate

Lubrication: Lubricate the drive chain located behind the right hand end cover every

six months, with a premium brand chain lubricant. Disconnect power before

lubricating the chain. No other parts require lubrication.

Before contacting Drytac for service assistance, please double-check to make sure that the

JetMounter ™ is still connected to a live power outlet. Next, check both fuses. For further

troubleshooting assistance, please contact Drytac Technical Services. See Contact

Information on page 30.

Our Drytac Facility in Toronto, Canada

18- 54 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

JM44/JM44SHA

JM54/JM54SHA

Roller Width Roller Diameter Roller Construction

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

331 lbs/ 150 kg

• 0.375”/ 0.95 cm .75” / 1.9 cm
• 0.375”/ 0.95 cm .75” / 1.9 cm

TBA

TBA

10 “/ 25.4 cm

Steel-with high-release silicone covering.

Max. Opening

• Non Photocell Photocell Max. Material Diameter Power Requirements

Core Size Power Consumption Fuse Specifications

115 VAC or 230 VAC 50/60 Hz

2.5–18 fpm / 0.8-3.0 mpm 3”/ 7.6 cm

2.5–18 fpm / 0.8-3.0 mpm 3”/ 7.6 cm

TBA

TBA

3–10 fpm / 0.9-3.0 mpm 3”/ 7.6 cm

2–10 fpm / 0.9-3.0 mpm 3”/ 7.6 cm

One 1A for Europe or 2A for North America in the power receptacle. One 8A in adjacent holder. Both are 5x20mm Fast-Acting glass fuses.

PACKAGED FOR SHIPMENT

57 lbs/ 25.8 kg

58.5 lbs/ 26.5 kg

TBA

287 lbs/ 130.2 kg

390 lbs/ 176.9 kg 403 lbs/ 182.8 kg

TBA

Notes: 1) The JetMounter Stands are 29.7” (75.5 cm) tall, making the overall height of the assembled unit 48.7” (123.7 cm). On a JM44/54 attached to a stand, the distance from the floor to the feed table is 34.58” (878.33 cm). 2) The JM44SHA and JM54SHA comes with a Front Feed Tray assembly inside the crate.

CONTACT INFORMATION

5383 Glen Alden Drive

Bristol BS16 3RY, United Kingdom

Toll Free Phone: 800-280-6013

Phone: +44 (0) 117-958-6500

Toll Free Fax: 800-622-8839

UK Toll Free Phone: 0845-070-0660

Toll Free Phone: 800-353-2883

Toll Free Fax: 877-437-9822

JetMounter ™ Registration Information

C OMPANY N AME :

A DDRESS :

C ITY / S TATE :

M ODEL #:

S ERIAL #:

P URCHASE D ATE :

W ARRANTY C ARD R ETURNED ON :

BY:

WARRANTY

We thank you for your purchase of the JetMounter ™ laminator and want to assure you that

we will do our best to see that your experience with your new machine is a positive one.

Every Drytac machine is designed and manufactured to give many years of dependable

To achieve the best results from your JetMounter ™ , the machine should be set up and

operated in accordance with the instructions included in this manual.

Should the original JetMounter ™ purchaser experience any problem due to faulty materials

or workmanship within 12 months of the purchase date, Drytac or their dealer will arrange for

the machine to be repaired, replaced or refunded at Drytac‟s discretion.

After the warranty period has elapsed, Drytac will provide all reasonable assistance and

product support to resolve any problems that may arise.

Please return your warranty card as soon as possible. This will help us more efficiently

assist with any problem you may encounter.

You will find a section for recording this

important information for your records and any future parts or service requests on page 30 of

Normal wear and tear, any damage to the silicone rollers, damage due to abuse, improper

operation or installation is not covered by this warranty.

Conditions that will void the

warranty include, but are not limited to: failure to follow the instructions contained in this

manual, unauthorized changes or modifications to the machine or the stand (where

applicable) in any manner or misuse of the machine for purposes other than specified in the

Operators Manual. Drytac will not be responsible for any damage or consequential damage

caused by the machine.

Please feel free to contact Drytac if you have any questions or problems.

Before calling Drytac Technical Services, complete the JetMounter ™ Registration

Information on the previous page and have it available for reference.

Replacement Parts for the JetMounter™ Laminators

Parts Applicable to Most Models

Pressure/Tension Knob Speed Control Switch with Knob Motor Switch, Fwd./Rev Mode/Reset Switch On/Off Switch

JMS-01 JMS-03 JMS-04 JMS-05 JMS-09 JMS-10, JMS-10E for European JMS-10UK for UK application

Part Number JMS UK fo

JM 8 Silicone Roller JM 8 Roll Shaft Core Adapter for JM 18/26/34 Foot Control for JM 18/26/34 JM26 Silicone Roller JM26 Roll Shaft

JMS1-01 JMS1-02 JMS12-03 JMS12-04 JMS2-01 JMS2-02

Silicone Roller Supply Shaft

JMS4-01 JMS4-03

Silicone Roller Supply Shaft

JMS5-01 JMS5-03

1A Fuse- European Models 2A Fuse- All Other Models 8A Fuse- All Models Pressure Adjustment Handle Circuit Breaker

JMS45-04 JMS45-02 JMS45-03 JMS45-13 JMS45-15

The list above does not include all service parts available. For further parts or service information please contact Drytac Technical Services (see page 30 for Contact Information).

One of the reasons Drytac has earned a reputation for unmatched customer service is that we

value our customers‟ opinions. The JetMounter™ has evolved in response to such input from

the field. Our B Revision JetMounters, for example, have push button control panels with a

redesigned user interface. The following chart is provided as a quick-reference guide.

ACTION

PROGRAMMED SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS

AUTO MODE

Power Up or E-Stops Reset

Normal operation at set speed Machine stops

Press and Hold Rev. Button JM63/JM44-54

FOOT MODE

FOOT pedal pressed, FWD mode

Photocell interrupted. FP still depressed

Photocell cleared. FP still depressed.

Photocell cleared. FP dep. Switch to Auto

FWD at set speed

Restart by FP, no buttons pressed

Press and hold REV in Foot Mode,

Release REV button while depress FP

In Rev. with Foot on pedal- press AUTO

Table Down, FOOT pedal released. (JM63 only)

Machine Stops, Ready to start Will not Run

Table Down, FOOT pedal pressed. (JM63 only)

TECHNICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

JM44 SHA/JM54SHA Nip Adjustment Procedure

1. Checking Roller Parallelism:

Cut two 2”x4” strips of paper or cardstock of the same thickness. Raise the upper roller and

insert the strips of paper between the upper and lower rollers about 2” from each end. Lower

the upper roller until it just contacts one of the strips of paper. There should be resistance

while pulling the paper out from between the roller but it should not turn the roller. Check the

strip of paper on the other end of the roller and it should have the exact same resistance

while sliding it in and out of the roller. If the resistance is less on one side than the other, the

rollers should be adjusted.

2. To make this adjustment, keep the strips of paper in the nip between the rollers 2” from

each end. The necessary adjustments are made on the left end to avoid altering the

pressure and height sensors on the right end. (The hand wheel and end panels must be

removed to access the following adjustment points. Once the end panels are removed, the

hand wheel can then be reinstalled to complete the procedure.) Lower the upper roller until

it touches the strip on the right side of the machine. There should be resistance while pulling

the strip, but the roller should not turn. Compare the amount of resistance on the left, using

the same effort to pull the left strip of paper.

3. Locate the cross bar that goes across the top of the machine between the cabinets with

a plate on each end that has 4 set screws on each plate and 2 mounting bolts coming from

the inside of the cabinet. On the left side, loosen the four set screws in the plate (accessible

from the outside) and the two mounting bolts (accessible from the inside). Inside the left end

case you will see the two gears that raise and lower the upper roller at the top of the vertical

height adjusting shaft. Slide the bar and plate toward the front of the machine disengaging

the two gears. Adjust the roller height using the vertical height adjusting shaft which turns the

larger (driven) gear. Rotate the shaft in the direction that will raise or lower the left end of

the roller to achieve the same resistance on the left paper strip as the strip on the right side.

When the correct height is achieved, slide the cross bar and plate toward the rear of the

machine to reengage the gears. Do not jam them together with force, but leave enough play

for smooth operation. Tighten the two plate mounting bolts and then turn the four set screws

until they are just snug. Double check the gap between the rollers with the paper strips.

Raise and lower the roller to make sure the hand wheel raises and lowers the roller

smoothly. If there is binding while cranking the rollers, the set screws can be used to adjust

the plate. The plate gears and bar all need to be square so there is minimal resistance.

4. Setting the Working Pressure:

In the right and left cabinets where the upper roller comes through, there is a stack of spring

washers used to provide the correct amount of application pressure. Raise the upper roller

so that there is at least a 1/8” gap between the rollers. Bring jam nut #1 (see drawing below)

up so that the stack of spring washers just touch the bracket and back off one full turn. Bring

jam nut #2 up against nut #1 to lock them in place. Inspect the pressure readings. While the

roller is up the 0% or first light should be lit on the pressure read out. If the light is not lit,

locate the main circuit board inside the right cabinet. There is a small potentiometer (small

blue square box with a screw adjustment located on the top) on the board that can be used

to adjust the starting point where the light comes on. Lower the upper roller, the 20% or

second light should come on when the rollers are just contacting. You will start to get flat

rollers at 40%. Continue to crank the hand wheel until full pressure is achieved at 100%

making certain all lights are operating.

Confirm that the height sensor is adjusted properly by comparing the nip opening

with the figure on the digital readout. If adjustment is needed, loosen the mounting

screws on the height sensor and position as required.