01.2009 v. 3.00
5-4 LAMINATING WITH THERMAL (HOT) FILM
1
. If the machine is not already on and warmed up, first make sure the power cord
is plugged in. Turn on the machine, and set the temperature for whatever film is
being used.
2
. The laminator will be ready to operate in about 20 minutes.
WARNING: Do not let the temperature exceed 320º F / 163
°
C while film is
threaded and the laminator is not running. The film could disintegrate and
require cleaning and rethreading of the machine.
3
. Position the feed guides if needed for precision feeding. You will get the best
results by centering items in the web of film.
4
.
The film tension is preset at the factory
. Should adjustment be needed, turn
the black knobs clockwise to tighten, counterclockwise to loosen.
5
. The fans will come on automatically; no user intervention is required.
6
. Watch the film as it passes over the heat rolls. If there is some waviness in the
film at the leading edge of both top and/or bottom heat rolls, film tension is perfect.
The leading edge is the top of the top heat roll and the bottom of the bottom heat
roll, the edges that first contact the film. If there is no waviness in the film at all,
there is too much film tension. Loosen both knobs a small amount and check
again.
If the waviness or wrinkling extends into the laminating rollers, tension needs to be
increased. Always keep the amount of tension the same on both top and bottom
film. Waviness that extends across 10 to 30 percent of the heat rolls indicates
acceptable film tension.
7
. When starting the machine to begin lamination, let at least 6-8 inches of film go
through the rollers before inserting the items to be laminated. This takes out slack
in the film. This also removes any areas of film with excess adhesive that may
have pooled just beneath the rolls.
Examine the film coming out the back of the machine. If bubbles or wrinkles
appear in the film, this means there is not enough tension to draw the film tight and
smooth over the heated rollers. Turn the tension control knobs clockwise to
increase the tension.
If the film is stretching and gets narrower as it goes across the heated rollers, idler
tension is much too high. The temperature setting may also be too high for that
film.
Film that is 1.5 mils thick requires very little tension.
REMEMBER TO TURN BOTH THE TOP AND BOTTOM TENSION CONTROL
KNOBS THE SAME AMOUNT TO KEEP TENSION THE SAME ON TOP AND
BOTTOM ROLLS.
