MyBinding Knowledge Base
How do I know if I need a modular binding punch machine?
Does your organization do a lot of two hole and three hole punching? Over the years, I have talked to a few customers who do massive amounts of this type of punching. One hospital that I spoke to would punch more than ten thousand sheets of paper every day. They were punching all of the paper work and doctors orders for charts and files. Obviously, they didn’t want to use a small desktop hole punch for their documents. However, finding a punch to handle that type of volume isn’t easy.
Most two hole and three hole punches available on the market are designed for occasional light usage. They are ideal for an office that needs to punch a few items to put into a ring binder. However, these punches are not able to handle the volume of punching required for certain applications. For organizations that need to do lots of this type of punching, a modular binding punch is ideal. Here are four reasons why:
- A modular interchangeable die binding punch can be used for punching multiple different hole patterns. You can use the punch for 3-hole punching, 2-hole punching and for punching different binding patterns. For larger organizations, this is ideal since it provides a single easy to use solution for all your punching needs.
- No punch available on the market will be faster than a heavy duty modular binding punch. Some modular punches are rated to punch more than 50 sheets per lift. Considering that each lift can take just seconds to punch, a modular punch can handle huge volumes of paper in a very short period of time. Larger modular binding punches can punch a stack of paper in less than one second. Many electric desktop hole punches can take ten seconds or more to punch your documents.
- Users who plan on punching large volumes of paper will eventually wear out the dies on their punch. This is true for any type of punch. However, with a modular binding punch it is simple and quick to replace the punching dies. Plus, the dies used in a modular binding punch will last longer than most standard dies. This helps to reduce down time and increases productivity.
- Most modular binding punches include a foot pedal that makes punching easier than ever. There is not button to push, no handle to pull and certainly no lever to push. You can firmly hold the pages with both hands while you punch the document. This makes it easier than ever to punch the pages and reduces the chances for repetitive motion injuries.
< Over the years, a number of customers have asked me whether they can use twin loop wire with their plastic comb binding machine. These customers often don’t want to have to buy a brand new machine but like the look and feel of twin loop wire binding. However, the answer to their question isn’t as simple as it seems. You see, they actually do make twin loop wire that is designed to work with the plastic comb binding hole pattern. With that said, if you want to use these wires you are going to need a way to close the wires. What is Spiral-O Wire? Let me explain a little bit more…There is a product that we carry called Spiral-O Wire. This wire has 19 loops and is designed to work with the hole pattern from a plastic comb binding machine. Spiral-O Wire is sometimes called Wire Combs or Ibico Wire and was originally designed for use with some of the older Ibico binding machines. A number of the older Ibico plastic comb binding machines also included a twin loop wire closer on the front of them to allow users to use both plastic combs and wire. This 19 loop wire was designed for this purpose. What Equipment is Needed? As the Ibico brand has been phased out by GBC and all of the older Ibico plastic binding machines have been replaced with new models, they no longer have the twin loop wire closer on the front of them. This presents a problem in trying to use these spiral-o wires since you can’t use the wires without a way to close them. One of the only options left is to purchase a Twin Loop wire closer. However, since twin loop wire closers are not incredibly cheap this option usually only appeals to users who have larger electric plastic comb binding machines. Otherwise, it is often advisable to simply buy a low end 3:1 pitch twin loop wire binding machine (the supplies are cheaper). This being said, if you have one of the older Ibico binding machines that has a wire closer included you are in luck. The Spiral-O binding supplies that we carry will work perfectly with your machine and you will be able to use both plastic combs and wire depending on your needs. These Spiral-O binding supplies are available in Black, Silver, White, Blue and Red and in sizes up to 1″ in diameter. If you aren’t sure what type of wire binding supplies that you need to work with your machine simply give us a call. Our trained sales representatives will be glad to help you find the correct supplies for use with your machine.(Read More)
