COMMON FOLDER QUESTIONS/PROBLEMS

Problem:     Feeding doubles

The most common problem in the feeder is pulling or feeding two or more sheets at a time, on a pile or continuous feeder you must have adequate air separation to achieve good sheet separation, some items to check are as follows:

•      *   Is the pump filters clean and are you able to get plenty of air blast to the sheets?

•      *   Are you only getting air separation to the top 6 to 8 sheets?

•      *   And does the air seem to be getting all the way to the end of the sheets?

•      *   Is the pile height set so that it is approximately 1/2” away from the bottom of the suction wheel with no air blowing into the sheets?

•      *   Did the paper being fed get jogged and separated as it was loaded into the feeder?

•      *   This is very important because a dull knife on the paper cutter or wet ink could cause sheets to stick together almost as if the edges were welded together. Work the sheets real good as they are being loaded.

•      *   Also is static an issue? Some paper is very sensitive and static will build up on the sheets and create problems in the feeder, it may be necessary to let a job sit overnight to allow some curing.

•      *   Some folders have an adjustment for vacuum, try and lower the amount of suction on the sheet, especially on light porous paper types.

•      *   A trick you can try is to place a rubber band around the center of the suction wheel; this will help to break the vacuum being applied to the sheet.

On continuous feeders be sure that the sheets loaded are fanned and have a nice even gap on the top feeder board.

•      *   Also on continuous feeders be certain that the wheels on the tail edge of the sheet are not too far forward on the sheet, this will create drag which can cause the sheet being fed to pull the one underneath it along.

•      *   The same applies to pile feeders, some models have weights or pins that set on the tail edge of the sheet, too much weight and the top sheet will pull the next sheet into the folder.

     *   Sometimes the curl on a sheet will affect the feeding and you must raise or lower the front air blast bar to achieve proper sheet separation.

Bindery Parts Store   www.binderyparts.com  Phone: (800)560-0834