Formax FD 386 Automatic Paper Folder

Formax presents the next generation FD 386 Touchscreen Automatic Document Folder. For the past 20 years, FORMAX has been providing quality innovative folders built to last and made in the USA, the FD 386 is no exception. The FD 386 combines speed, accuracy, quality, and durability with modern touch screen experience. The automated fold settings allow for quick and easy setup between fold types and paper sizes. Operation is simple, load the paper into the feeder, select your fold type, and press start. At a speed of up to 17,000 folds per hour, sheets are folded and ready in minutes. The large 3.5” color touch screen uses internationally recognized symbols to easily navigate through setup and operation. The FD 386 can fold sheets up to 12 inches by 18 inches and is programmed automatically to set 6 common fold types in 11 inch, 14 inch, and 17 inch lengths. In addition, up to 27 custom folds can be programmed in to memory for recurring unique applications. Fully loaded, the FD 386 infeed holds up to 500 sheets at a time, the drop-in three roller friction feed system allows for consistent reliable feeding making quick work of any folding job. The FD 386 also features the FORMAX patent Telescoping Outfeed Conveyor Stacker that can hold up to 500 folded sheets when fully extended. This allows for a complete stack of documents to run through the folder before unloading. A resettable 6-digit counter gives an accurate tally of the number of sheets folded. Simply press the reset icon to set the counter back to zero. In addition to the standard counter, the FD 386 features auto batch mode for processing sets of documents with a delay between each set for easy handling and grouping. The optional patented Multi Sheet Feeder is designed to fold multiple page documents, it can fold up to 4 stapled or unstapled sheets up to 8 ½ inches by 14 inches in a single pass. The feeder has an independent skew adjustment for fine tuning folds. The FD 386 also features a Cross-Fold guide for feeding folded documents a second time for additional folding. Proudly made in the USA, The FD 386 Touch Screen Automatic Document Folder is an ideal solution for any business, print shop or school that requires multiple fold capabilities combined with ease of operation versatility and reliability.

The Formax FD 386 and 38XI touchscreen automatic paper folder setup and operation.

Installation:

Remove the FD 386 or 38XI and accessories from the box and place on a level sturdy surface. Included with the machine are the upper and lower-fold tables, telescoping outfeed extension, multi sheet feeder, if equipped, cross fold guide, power cord and the operator manual. Check to be sure everything is included. To begin installation, lift up the feed tray extension and lock into position. Next, insert the cross-fold guide into its storage location under the lower fold table. Then, install the telescoping outfeed extension on the outfeed conveyor stacker as shown. Now, install the upper fold table. The fold table rests on the support pins shown here. Slide the cutouts on the fold table onto the pins and set into position. With the upper fold table installed, you can now plug it in and lock it into place, if equipped. Install the lower fold table in the same way as the upper fold table, be sure the fold table is seated properly on the support pins. Plug it in and lock it into place, if equipped. Next, install the multi sheet feeder, if equipped. Insert the front stationary tabs of the feeder into the cutouts on the top cover. Squeeze the tabs on the rear of the feeder to lower and lock into place. With both fold tables installed and properly plugged into the machine, plug the main power cord into the receptacle below the conveyor stacker, then plug the cord into the appropriate outlet. With the machine plugged in, the folder is installed and ready for setup and operation.

Setup and operation:

Turn on the power using the switch located under the lower fold table on the infeed side. If equipped, adjust the infeed tray tension lever to match the weight of the paper. The middle position is for standard paper weights. Next, adjust the infeed side guides, loosen the self-centering side guides and place a sheet between them. Slide the guides in leaving about a millimeter gap between the paper and the guide on both sides so it can slide freely and tighten the guides in place. To load paper, pull up on the lever as shown, to lower the infeed table, then insert the stack of paper under the feed tires and release the lever. The sheet size will automatically be detected. Now, using the touch screen control panel, choose from one of the pre-programmed folds. Once selected, the fold tables and outfeed stacker wheels will automatically adjust for the FD 38XI, for the FD 386, the outfeed stacker wheels will need to be manually adjusted based on the paper size chart located on the stacker wheel brace. With the fold position set, press the one-time button to make a test fold and check the quality. If the fold looks good, adjust the speed and press the start button to begin folding. If the fold is off, adjust the skew knob left or right to correct the fold.

Multi sheet feeder:

To set and use the multi sheet feeder if equipped, begin by selecting the fold type. Next, adjust the paper width guide on the feeder. Be sure the paper slides freely into the feeder. The feeder has an independent skew adjuster to fine tune the multi sheet folds. Be sure the papers are aligned and that the staple is on the correct side if folding stapled sets and slide them into the feeder. The folder will automatically detect the sheets and start the folder.

Cross folding guide:

The Cross-fold guide allows for a second pass of a pre folded document to add an additional fold to use the cross-fold guide, remove it from the storage location under the lower fold table. Insert pre folded sheets into the feed tray and mount the cross-fold guide into the mounting slots on the rear side guide, as shown here. Select the fold type and press start.

Resetting the counter:

The six-digit counter keeps an accurate count of sheets folded. To reset the counter, simply press the reset button next to the counter to bring it back to zero.

Auto batch mode:

Auto batch mode is ideal for processing mail in batches, for easier handling. To access this mode, press the blue auto batch icon on the home screen. Then, select the number of sets, the number of sheets in each set and the delay between each set. With the settings entered, press start to begin processing.

Custom folds:

For jobs requiring a specialized fold, the FD 386 and 38XI allow users to customize folds to their exact specifications. Press the custom fold icon and select the measurements for the upper fold table, the lower fold table, and the outfeed stacker location. You can perform a test fold, and if it looks good, save and name your new custom fold.

Troubleshooting misfolds:

If a misfold occurs, first, check that the fold tables are properly seated. The cutouts on each fold table should line up with the support pins and be firmly seated in place. Next, check the fold settings. Be sure the fold specifications are correct for the fold type and paper size. And finally, if the fold is a little off, or if you require different settings for the machine, use the advanced software to customize and save custom folds.

Troubleshooting misfeeding:

If the sheets are misfeeding, first check that the in-feed side guides are set properly. There should be about a one-millimeter gap between the guides and the paper on each side. If the guides are too tight or too loose, the paper will not feed properly. Second, check that the paper stack is properly squared when loading. And finally, check and adjust the infeed tension lever, if equipped. For additional troubleshooting, please refer to the manual, the FD 386, 38XI touchscreen automatic paper folder.