Office Equipment Blog from Office Zone

Question

My application will include two actions:

1) Cutting stacks of sheets of 12” x 18” paper (bond, text, and/or cover stock) into half resulting in sheets of 12” x 9”. I understand that the number of sheets that can be cut will vary with the type of paper.

2) After the above paper is cut to 12” x 9” I would print these sheets on text stock in collated sets, add a sheet of cover stock (80# cover), then fold the sets individually and staple them into booklets (either manually or with a booklet maker). Finally I would trim any uneven edges of the booklets with the cutter. I understand that 3 sides might need trimming and of course would prefer to be able to trim a stack of such booklets.

What are the realities of using a stack paper cutter to do the above?

Thanks,

William J.

Answer

A stack paper cutter will handle the requirements of your job. We recommend the Dahle Model 852 Premium Stack Paper Cutter. We recently had the opportunity to test this very model and it performs well with cutting projects such as yours. The thing you will like the most about the model 852 is it’s relative ease of use. Most stack cutters in this price range are a little more cumbersome to work with, but the 852 is a streamlined machine that makes light work of large cutting jobs.

The Dahle 852 stack cutter helps you save time by cutting up to 200 sheets in just one stroke. You can quickly position the stack paper for multiple trims. It also has a built-in laser beam and adjustable paper backstop to help you accurately line up each cut.

Question

Hello,

I am comparing paper folders for the medical office where I work. I like the videos by the way. Great idea! I’ve just watched the video for the DE-202AF. I just happened to notice the photo of the product has a knob, but the machine in the video does not have a knob. I’m assuming the knob adjusts the variable speed. If I order this, will my machine have a knob or not?

We average only 1,000 – 2,000 letters a month, but we need a reliable machine. Our previous machine, the Martin Yale Rapid Fold P7200 would either not grip the paper to pull it through at all or it would grab a whole stack and pull too many pages a time. The jam would be so tight the machine had to be taken apart to clear it. Often it would “eat” our letters. Most of our letters are customized, so we would have to go in the computer and request these individual letters to be re-printed. All-in-all, we end up babysitting the machine and cleaning up its messes. It hasn’t saved us time or money. We returned to hand-folding, but as our workload increases we don’t have the time to spare for this.

I didn’t see any customer reviews for the DE-202AF so I wonder if you have received any feedback on the machine.

Thanks for the info,

Sonya J.

Answer

We appreciate your feedback about our Dynafold DE-202AF automatic paper folder video demonstration. About the knob in the product photo, the DE-202AF comes with a folding speed adjustment knob. The video demo you viewed featured an older demonstration model that did not have the speed adjustment function when we produced the demo.

The DE-202AF will definitely handle your volume of letter folding. In fact, it can actually fold up to 6,000 sheets an hour. It’s a highly reliable machine that will literally let you hit the start button and walk away. Very little baby sitting is required. I’m not sure what exactly the problem was with your Martin Yale paper folder, there are several factors that could contribute to your troubles with that particular machine.

With friction-feed paper folders such as the DE-202AF, you must know that folding glossy or slick paper is not an option. The rubber rollers cannot consistently and accurately fold this type of paper. We currently do not have any customer reviews of the DE-202AF on our Web site, but the machine has earned the coveted Office Zone Customer Choice label. Customer Choice products are labeled as such because of their excellent track record and reliability.

Question

Hello,

I am wondering if someone could please supply me an answer about the FP-1(B) Single hole punch. I am trying to figure out how deep/what the reach is. I want to make sure that the holes will fall deep enough for my project, since the depth is not adjustable on this item. I would be using the 1/8″ punch bit.

Thank you!

Carrie B.

Answer

The maximum margin punch depth of the FP-1(B) Single Hole Punch is one inch. We had the opportunity to test this paper punch recently and it’s quite an amazing little machine. You can easily punch through a wide variety of materials with the FP-1(B). It’s impressive to see just how much paper you can actually punch through with this little wonder — 300 sheets of 20 lb. bond at a time!

This single-hole punch is also the ideal tool for heat-sensitive materials. Paper drills typically cannot effectively penetrate plastic report covers, laminated materials, and the like because of the heat generated during the drilling process. The FP-1(B) is a heavy-duty machine and is designed to withstand years of heavy use.

Here’s a useful tip for customers who own a Dynafold Model DE-102AF, DE-202AF, or a DE-322AF automatic paper folding machine. When you first install the top folding plate on the unit, you will notice a silver bar that spans almost the entire width of the machine. I have included a photo here for convenient reference. The white arrow in the photo points to the silver bar.

For optimum performance, you need to first gently lift up this spring-loaded bar, and then insert the top folding plate under it. Make sure the top folding plate is snug and doesn’t move. This little procedure will ensure accurate performance with the folding plate on your machine and prevent possible paper jams. You do not need to follow this procedure for the bottom folding plate, but be sure it’s installed correctly and does not move.

If you need further assistance with your Dynafold paper folder, please contact our service department. We are more than happy to help.

True story: Yesterday we had a customer stop by our office looking for pouch lamination film. She wanted to get the right kind of film for her laminator, so she brought in her machine just to be sure. She had a model PL4A pouch laminator by Banner American. Her machine is decades old and is still in fine working condition.

The PL4A is literally a marvel of quality product engineering. We admit that the machine isn’t the most stylish, but it’s what’s inside that counts. The PL4A is a small, rugged lamintor thanks to its internal metal gears and a beefy motor. You can laminate business cards, ID cards, luggage tags, tickets, you name it, all day and the machine simply doesn’t quit.

The independent heat and motor control system of the American-made PL4A allows it to be left on standby (heat ready) for hours at a time without wearing out the motor. The handy standby feature means you can instantly re-start laminating at any time. The PL4A is rated as a high-volume, high-quality, pouch laminator and comes highly recommended by Office Zone.

Question

Good morning:

I’m a Project Engineer and for one of my projects I have to lease a shrink wrap machine. I’ve seen on your web-site that you possess shrink systems and please will let me know if something is available right now for lease – regarding to below information.

In attachment you will find pictures about our promotion production – 2 bottles shrink together – 114 fl oz + 22 fl oz. On these pictures you will find all dimensions regarding to our product. Machine requirements – The shrink tunnel with an aperture of min. 14″ high.

So please will let me know ASAP because I need this equipment here before oncoming Monday. I had one company how should lease me this machine (used shrink wrap machine) but unfortunately they have so technical issues with this machine.

Cheers,

Robert K.

Answer

Office Zone offers a wide variety of L-bar shrink wrapping systems with tunnels. L-bar shrink systems use impulses of electricity that cut and seal film much faster than traditional I-bar shrink systems. They also produce less odor.

We have everything you need to start shrink wrapping a wide variety of products including food, DVDs, CDs, bottles, software boxes and more. In your photos you indicate you want to shrink wrap two plastic household cleaning product bottles together. Most of the machines on our shrink wrap index page can handle this.

You also said that you needed a machine with a shrink tunnel chamber at least 14 inches high. Most of the models we offer do not have a heat chamber this tall. However, all you need to do is wrap the two bottles in the shrink film, position them next to each other horizontally in the chamber, and then close the hood to shrink wrap them together.

Office Zone has a lease-to-own payment system. You can find more information about our office equipment leasing program here.

Question

First of all, I want to tell you I’ve had the Carl R200 for about 2yrs. and never used it, pulled it out and I can’t believe why I didn’t use it sooner, it’s the best cutter I have ever used! Thank you for a good product. Now I will be needing replacement blades soon. Just wanted to let you know, your product is great. I bought it at Sam’s club, would love if they had the replacement blades.

Connie S.

Answer

I agree that the Carl RT-200 Rotary Paper Cutter is one of the best paper trimmers for the money. I purchased one almost eight years ago for my wife and it’s still going strong. The RT-200 is one of the most versatile paper cutters on the market that can be used for a variety of home and small office projects. We typically use ours for scrapbooks, photo albums, school projects, church projects, you name it.

The cutter has a sturdy rail system with a sharp carbide blade. We still haven’t had to replace the blade. The unit holds paper firmly in place while it’s cut, ensuring straight, precise trimming. And, the RT-200’s metal base and body make this machine very stable. Office Zone carries a wide variety of replacements blades for the RT-200.

Question

So will the Spiral O work with a 2:1 pitch?  I have a Zutter Bind it all and I’m trying to figure out the difference between these two types of wires and what will work with my machine.

Susan G.

Answer

We have heard of Zutter binding machines, but have not seen one up close. From what we’ve observed, it appears to be used mainly for home craft, scrap booking type projects. It does not appear to be a machine intended for use with office projects. The point is, we’re not sure what your binding machine’s hole punch pattern/pitch is and what type of wire to recommend.

Wire binding machines are manufactured in one of three different hole punch formats. The wire binding supplies must have the same hole pattern as the machine, or they simply will not work. The three hole patterns are 2:1 wire, 3:1 wire and 19-ring Spiral-O.

The 2:1 wire has two holes per inch, 3:1, three holes per inch, 19-ring Spiral-O has the same hole pattern as a comb binding machine. I’ve included a few images here for reference. Your machine should state what hole pattern/pitch it uses. Some higher-end machines will punch multiple hole patterns.

Office Zone offers a wide variety of colors and diameters of wire at a discounted price. We have hundreds of boxes of binding wire ready to ship, straight from our warehouse.

Signature capture pads and pens are making an invasion into many aspects of our lives. If you buy something at the store using a credit card, you have probably used a one of these devices. Ever picked up a prescription? You have probably used one. The same goes if you have ever signed for a package as it is delivered. These pads can be used to capture signatures for a variety of applications. Here are a few basic tips and information regarding these unique devices.

Digital pen tablets allow the operator to use a pen-like instrument to sign a plastic pad that captures that signature and transforms it into an image. This image can be stored in a database, be pasted into a document, be e-mailed and much more. There are several uses for these devices.

Many digital capture tablets can be integrated into existing software programs. Topaz, one of the leading manufacturers of these types of devices, has several developer kits available for use with multiple programming languages. Some kits make it possible to even securely sign documents over the Internet. Topaz manufactures lines such as the SigLite, SignatureGem and more.

Not all capture pads are the same. They vary in design and function, depending on the need for the device. The most basic signature capture pads typically handle around 10,000 signatures. Other signature capture pads can handle upwards of 250,000 signatures.

Entry-level signature capture pads do not include a visual LCD interface. They simply capture a signature, albeit there is a guide line letting the customer or user know where to sign. This is often all that is needed. LCD versions of signature capture pads include visual guides on where to sign the signature and allow the user to see their signature as it is being signed. LCD pads will often allow the integration of a menu guide for use with POS systems.

If you still require a paper copy, for filing or legal issues, there are signatures capture tables that use a sheet of paper on the surface, but can still capture the data digitally underneath the paper. The surface area of the signature capture pad varies as well, depending on how large a signature or how much data needs to be captured or displayed. Most pads have at least a 1 x 5-inch surface area.

Signature capture pads continue to rise in use and popularity. You can find out more information about digital pen tablets by contacting Office Zone.

There are many shops, businesses and entrepreneurs in the world who want to package and sell their products. This includes artwork, DVDs, gift baskets and more. One of the best ways to package a product is by using a shrink wrap machine. However, it isn’t always that simple. Often times, when a machine is purchased, the new owner has no idea where to go from there. There are two different types of shrink wrap film, depending on what is being packaged, that can affect the end product.

There are many questions one asks when researching packaging material for the new machine. Should I buy PVC film or Polyolefin film for my shrink wrap machine? What is the difference between the two? Is one better than the other?

The first thing to consider when looking for packaging material is to analyze what you will be packaging. With regards to the type of shrink wrap film you use, one must determine whether or not the product is edible, if multiple products be packaged together, if there are any sharp corners and whether or not the shrink wrap machine be used indoors.

The two most common types of shrink wrap film used today are PVC and Polyolefin film. PVC film used to be the film of choice. It was inexpensive and widely available. Polyolefin film has been growing in popularity over the past few years and is now almost as common as PVC shrink film.

PVC film is still very popular for use with CD and DVD packaging. You will also find PVC film being used to package boxes, software and other non-edible products. PVC film is more brittle than Polyolefin film and is not good for use with bundling multiple products. PVC film is also not safe for use with food products. PVC film emits an odor that some may find irritating if being used indoors. It is always recommended to use PVC film in a well-ventilated room.

Polyolefin film is very popular for use with food products, gift baskets, bundling multiple products and more. Poly film is more pliable than PVC film and does not tear easily. Polyolefin emits little odor and is fine for use indoors. As mentioned before, polyolefin is perfectly safe to use with food.

Most shrink wrap machines are capable of using both PVC and Polyolefin film. The heat required to shrink both types of film is about the same. Polyolefin and PVC film can be shrunk using a heat tunnel or a heat gun.

Shrink wrap continues to be the preferred choice for packaging products. Contact Office Zone for more information on shrink wrap machines.