01.2009 v. 3.00
the set temperature. This process of gauging and adjusting the heat takes a few
minutes. The actual temperature will become more stable as you continue to
laminate.
3.
Check the idler tension per the instructions in the Adjusting Film Tension section
below. Make sure the top and bottom idler rolls have about the same tension.
4.
Once the machine has reached selected temperature, you are ready to laminate.
Adjust the film speed as required. Once the film starts to move, watch as it passes
over the hot rolls. Allow any wrinkling to clear out before inserting material to be
laminated. Each time you stop the advance of film, slack will form in the web of
film. It will take a few inches of film to get the slack and the resulting wrinkles past
the hot rollers.
5.
Examine the film as it exits the machine. If there are bubbles or wrinkles in the
film, it could mean there is not enough tension to draw the film tight and smooth
over the hot rolls.
6.
As mentioned earlier in this operators’ guide, many users tend to use too much
film tension. Some film, such as 1.5-mil, requires very little tension. Here are
some indicators that you might have excessive film tension:
“Necking” (the web of film gets narrower as it goes around the heated roller).
Excessive
“waterfalling” or wrinkling anywhere on the heated roller. The film is
not perfectly smooth and tight across the surfaces of both rollers. See the next
section on adjusting film tension. Some minor wrinkling as the film first contacts
the hot roller is normal.
Adjusting Film Tension
If the film curls up as it leaves the machine, loosen the top idler roll (turn
counterclockwise) and/or tighten the bottom idler supply roll (turn clockwise).
If the film curls down after it leaves the machine, tighten the top supply idler (turn
clockwise) and/or loosen the bottom supply idler (turn counter-clockwise). In
making these adjustments, make sure that top and bottom idler tension are kept
about equal.
“Heat wrinkles”
are formed when the film has not cooled enough before coming
out the back of the machine. For the best results, the film should be cooled below
melt temperature while it is pulled tight and perfectly flat between the laminating
rollers and the pull rollers. If it gets out the back of the machine while still at or
above melt temperature, heat wrinkles can form. The major reason for fans on a
laminator is to cool the film, not to cool the machine.
7.
This machine is equipped with a directional button,
Forward and Reverse
.
Push to the forward position to laminate or to reverse as required. To remove
anything which may become lodged between the rubber laminating or pull rollers,
remove the feed tray assembly and press reverse as required.
