MyBinding Knowledge Base
How do I fix a jam in my pouch laminator and how do I prevent them?
Pouch laminators are very popular these days because they make it easy for people to laminate important documents without leaving the home or office. These devices offer simple operation but there is a chance of experiencing a pouch jam. Here are some tips on how to prevent jams from occurring as well as how to fix them….
The best way to deal with a jam is by preventing them in the first place. You can do so by using a carrier, for one thing. The carrier prevents melted adhesive from causing problems with the machine’s gears. Another thing that can help is by never laminating metallic items and three-dimensional objects. These items can damage the rollers, leading to jams. Using the proper temperature and speed settings will also help, as well using pouches that your device can handle.
If a pouch jam does occur, it’s not the end of the world. Before you do anything else, turn off (or unplug) your laminator so the motor doesn’t burn out. You can then take a look at things and try to determine what’s causing the problem. Chances are good that the pouch has become wrapped around the machine’s rollers. If that’s the case, there are a few things you can do to try to fix the problem:
- If your laminator has a reverse mode, turn the device back on and give this a try. If the pouch starts coming out, be sure you don’t pull on it too hard. This can make the problem worse and could possibly damage the interior of the machine.
- Your machine might have a pouch jam lever. If it does, try using this feature to solve your problem. Some laminators are designed much like fax machines in that they can be opened up. If your device is designed in such a way, go ahead and open it up when the power is off. (Make sure you let the device cool off beforehand so you don’t burn yourself.) You should be able to remove the pouch pretty easily. If you need to cut the pouch in order to remove it, make sure your cutting tool doesn’t touch the rollers. They can be easily damaged by sharp utensils.
- Finally, if you can’t get the pouch out, you may want to consider calling in a professional. (This is especially true if you own a high-end device.) Trying to fix a complex problem on your own could possibly void the machine’s warranty which is inconvenient to say the least. If the pouch is totally jammed and your laminator wasn’t particularly expensive to begin with, you might just want to get a new one. It will save you time and it’s often cheaper than getting professional help.
- As a last resort, you could try dismantling the device to fix things. However, this shouldn’t be done unless you really know what you’re doing.
< 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)
