MyBinding Knowledge Base
How do I maintain my roll laminator?
CLICK HERE to download printable poster for your lamination station.
Roll laminators are some of the most popular document finishing machines and with good reason. These devices make it possible for you to laminate a lot of different items from photographs to banners. If you have one of these machines, chances are you want to keep it in great shape so you don’t have to deal with the hassle and cost of repairs. The best way to do that is by maintaining it the best you can. Here are some tips you can use to keep your roll laminator working:
1. One of the best things you can do to keep your roll laminator in good shape is by never using it to process items covered in glitter. The same goes for metallic materials. These documents can do some major damage. If glitter gets on to the rollers, it will be difficult for the machine to transfer heat, which essentially renders it useless. You definitely don’t want that to happen.
2. Make sure you keep sharp objects away from your laminator’s rollers. This includes scissors, craft knives, and so on. These implements can nick and gouge the silicone on the rollers. If that happens, you might need to repair the machine or even replace it is the damage is bad enough.
3. Unless your laminator shuts down automatically, be sure to turn it off when you’re done using it. This helps protect the motor so you can get as much use out of the device as possible. It also greatly reduces the risk of fire and injury.
4. At some point, you may notice that there is adhesive buildup on the machine’s rollers. This isn’t a big deal but it does need to be taken care of. Doing so entails the following steps:
- Remove the roll of laminating film from the device.
- Make sure the machine is on and that the rollers are slowly rotating. You need to select a warm setting so that the adhesive will soften. Since the rollers will be warm, be careful so you don’t burn yourself.
- Take a soft scrubbing pad and moisten it. Use it to gently scrub the rollers so you can get all the adhesive off. This step can take a while, especially if there’s a lot of adhesive. Just stick with it and you’ll get the job done.
- When all the adhesive is gone, you can reload the laminating film. It can be convenient to switch to a new roll of film at this time if you need to.
5. Finally, if something does goes wrong with your laminator, be sure to call in a professional. Not only will this ensure that your laminator will be properly fixed, it can help you avoid voiding the warranty.
Maintaining your roll laminator is quite easy to do and it’s well worth it to take the time to do so. You’ll be able to keep your machine in good shape so you can laminate documents when you need to and get great results. Start maintaining your roll laminator today. It really is worth it.
< 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)
