Formax FD 452 User's Manual, page 1

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Formax FD 452 User's Manual, page 2
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FD 452

Envelope Opener

Operator Manual First Edition

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Formax FD 452 User's Manual, page 3
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Overview

Power Cable Extension Arm On/Off Switch Transport Rollers

Pressure Arm Base Unit Catch Tray

Specifications

Speed Envelope Sizes Envelope Thickness Dimensions Weight Power

Up to 300 envelopes per minute 5.5” – 13” H x 3.5” – 10.2” W Up to 4 mm 33” L x 15” W x 9” H (includes catch tray) 15 lbs (excludes catch tray) 115 volts AC 50/60 Hz

Installation

Place the letter opener on a firm, level surface.

Lift the right side of the base unit, then place it on the two pins of the catch tray.

Check to be sure the main power switch is turned off.

Connect the power cable to the letter opener and a grounded, single-phase outlet. The letter opener is now ready for operation.

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Formax FD 452 User's Manual, page 4
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Running a Job

Switch on the letter opener (I/O switch on rear side of unit).

Sort out any unsuitable pieces, i.e. plastic bags and letters that are thicker than 4mm, or made from synthetic materials.

Tap the stack of letters (address field facing you and flap facing up) on a flat surface several times in order to line up the lower edges. This ensures that the contents slide down inside the envelope and are not damaged when the envelopes are slit open.

Turn the stack of envelopes upside down (address field facing you but flap facing downwards). Loosen up the stack just enough so that the top of each envelope rests on the letter supporting surface.

  • Be sure not to tap the stack again. *

Insert the prepared stack of envelopes between the transport rollers and the pressure arm.

Press the green button to start processing.

Press the red button when all envelopes have been opened and to stop the system.

Tips on Running a Job

Envelopes do not have to be sorted according to size, but they should be arranged to face in one direction. To improve the machine efficiency, large envelopes should be placed behind the smaller ones in the letter opener.

In case large envelopes need to be opened:

Slide out and unfold the extension arm, as shown below.

Place the envelopes in landscape mode.

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Formax FD 452 User's Manual, page 5
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Safety

Before using your letter opener, please read this document and keep it near the machine as a reference.

The letter opener complies with standard safety regulations for office equipment of this type. Before operating it, read the following tips to assure safe operation:

Carefully follow the instructions for installation and operation of the letter opener.

Connect the letter opener to a grounded single-phase power outlet.

Do not remove any parts.

All maintenance and repair must be done by an authorized Formax service technician. Failure to observe this rule will void your warranty.

Do not use water or benzene to clean your letter opener.

Avoid operating the letter opener without any envelopes in it. This will reduce the lifetime of the machine.

Troubleshooting

The letter opener does not feed envelopes into the cutting unit.

Apply a slight amount of pressure to the pressure arm or stack of envelopes until the envelopes are fed again one by one.

Letters are jammed in the cutting unit.

  1. Remove the stack of letters, which are not jammed, from the feeder. Apart from the envelope that is jammed, pull the remaining envelopes out of the cutting unit.
  2. Then, pull the jammed envelope out of the cutting unit in the direction of transport (see illustration).

Letters are not opened properly.

Contact your authorized Formax dealer.

NOTE: Under no circumstances should you use anything such as a pair of scissors to remove any bits of paper from the cutting unit.

Maintenance

To keep the unit in peak operating condition, periodically clean the feed rollers with a moistened cloth.

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Quick start

  1. Place the opener on a firm, level surface and seat the base unit on the two pins of the catch tray.
  2. With the power switch off, connect the power cable to a grounded, single-phase outlet.
  3. Switch on the opener using the I/O switch on the rear.
  4. Remove unsuitable pieces such as plastic bags, synthetic envelopes, or letters thicker than 4 mm.
  5. Tap the stack (address facing you, flap up) to line up the lower edges, then turn it flap-down and loosen it slightly without tapping again.
  6. Insert the stack between the transport rollers and the pressure arm and press the green button to start.
  7. Press the red button when all envelopes are opened.

Troubleshooting

ProblemLikely causeFix (from the manual)
Envelopes do not feed into the cutting unitNot enough pressure on the stackApply slight pressure to the pressure arm or stack until envelopes feed one by one. Page 5
Letters jammed in the cutting unitEnvelope jamRemove the unjammed letters from the feeder, pull the others out of the cutting unit, then pull the jammed envelope out in the direction of transport. Never use scissors to remove paper bits. Page 5
Letters are not opened properlyNot statedContact your authorized Formax dealer. Page 5

Frequently asked questions

How fast is the Formax FD 452?

Up to 300 envelopes per minute. See page 3.

What envelope sizes does it handle?

Envelopes 5.5" to 13" H by 3.5" to 10.2" W, up to 4 mm thick. See page 3.

Do envelopes need to be sorted by size?

No, but they should face one direction. Place large envelopes behind smaller ones; for large envelopes, unfold the extension arm and feed them in landscape. See page 4.

How do I clean the FD 452?

Periodically clean the feed rollers with a moistened cloth. Do not use water or benzene to clean the opener. See page 5.