MyBinding Knowledge Base
What are some tips for unjamming my paper folder?
Paper jams halt productivity and send tempers flaring. Although paper folders save time and money, they can be prone to jams. Because they have a lot of parts, there is a lot that can go awry. If you are struggling with an uncooperative paper folding machine, this article is for you. Read on for some help in unjamming your machine and getting back to work.
Fold Plates
Improperly installed fold plates will almost certainly cause paper jams. The plates must be firmly in place and squared up to avoid jams. The easiest way to ensure plates are properly installed is to simply take them out and replace them correctly. Correctly inserted plates click as they go into position. A word of caution: If your machine does not allow easy access to the plates, do not take it apart to try to fix it yourself. Check the other items in this article before concerning yourself with the plates and calling a professional.
Paper Scraps
Another common cause of new paper jams is old paper jams. Always be careful to remove all stray scraps of paper when you have a jam. If you cannot get the machine to stop jamming, thoroughly inspect it for small pieces of paper. Double-check all around the fold plates, as they are especially prone to housing scraps. Slowly feed a piece of paper through the machine while watching carefully to see where it catches.
Dirt and Wear
Dirty or worn rollers can also jam the paper folder. The machine uses friction to grab the paper and move it along the track. Worn or dirty rollers can decrease friction and increase jams. Check the rollers for wear and gently clean them with a mild soap solution.
Skewed Paper Feed
If the paper is fed into the equipment at an angle or skewed in some way, you can end up with crooked folds or paper jams. Double-check the paper as it is fed into the machine to make sure it is lining up correctly.
Nonsupported Materials
Paper folders are designed to fold paper. Machines are engineered to work with certain types of materials. If you attempt to fold other materials with your machine, not only will you experience problems, but you may also damage the equipment and void your warranty.
Incorrect Setup
It can be a little confusing when you are first setting up your paper folder, so pay careful attention to the guides and fold plates. Getting used to setting up your machine can be tricky, but with some practice you will certainly get the hang of it. Take some time to check the setup before tackling a big job.
< 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)
