8 Checks Before Purchasing a Paper Folding Machine

Knowledge is power, no matter whether you're a digital or offset press, novice or experienced production operator. Make these checks before purchasing or upgrading your paper folding equipment to prevent your company from a jam.

T520/10H4W-F

1. Ease of Operation Evaluation

Evaluate the manual setup and equipment downtime between changeovers and training new hires.

Does your current equipment have HMI touchscreen tutorials on machine setup?

Can your team store multiple jobs on the touchscreen to reference previously run jobs?

Does the equipment include setup guides for maintenance procedures?

Do the fold plates have micro adjustments?

Does the machine have a batch counter?

Are there limitations in jobs due to your finishing capabilities?

Your operators are your most valuable resource. Updated technology and equipment allows them to do their jobs efficiently and with less frustrations. If equipment is outdated or difficult to set up between jobs, work place production will drop and turnover is likely.

2. Efficiency & Capability Evaluation

Start with your current operations. Evaluate where inefficiencies exist in your post-press equipment and processes:

Evaluate the manual setup and equipment downtime between changeovers and training new hires.

Are there consistent delays or bottlenecks?

Are there duplicate efforts or wastes due to how jobs are laid out?

Are there labor concerns, both costs and physical fatigue?

Are there limitations in jobs due to your finishing capabilities?

The most valuable finishing solution for your company may involve scoring, slitting, perforating and stacking, all viable options in today’s finishing and bindery equipment. The best solution starts by determining your goals and then finding the applications that helps you achieve those goals.

3. Productivity

Determine what productivity you want to achieve. The productivity of a folding machine involves a combination of its speed, feed tray/table capacity and delivery exit conveyor. For example, if you need longer uninterrupted production, a larger pile or continuous feeder is just as important as the machine's speed.

Machine speed, often rates as inches per minute, is based on the maximum speed at which the folding machine will run paper through. This calculation is based on the paper folding machine industry standard of 70 gsm paper folded into a letter fold (C fold). This does not take into account time to reload the paper feeder.

4. Volume

The most common obstacles customers face are caused by purchasing paper folding machines that are too small for their requirements. Choose a paper folding machine that is suitable for the amount of work you are doing today and plan to do in the future.

To determine accurate volume needs, look at your company's:

Yearly average run sheet size

Job layouts and related inefficiencies or waste

Current needs and standard jobs

Expanded capabilities you would like to offer

Future growth opportunity and industry trends

5. Paper Thickness & Coating

Select a machine that is capable of handling the weights and types of paper you use. Consider which coating options are trending in your industry, such as matted, glossy, soft finishes or foiled.

The recommended paper weight for a paper folding machine is often quoted based on non-coated paper. There is typically a 30gsm difference for a light coating and 50gsm for heavy coating. 

Ask the supplier about the number of feed tires. The more (and wider) the feeder tires that initially pull the paper into the machine, the better. This helps the initial pick-up of the paper, coated or non-coated, as well as stopping the paper from twisting and causing a variety of problems.

6. Paper Fold & Size

Most manufacturers upon request will run samples of special paper size and folds before purchase, to verify the equipment will run your job. If not, we can provide a solution that is tailor made with some of our selected partners to provide a custom solution. Our support team can provide help before and after the purchase of equipment.

7. Feed Tray Capacity & Capabilities

Capacity of the folder's feed tray, which is the number of sheets that can be loaded into feed tray, is very important in picking a folder that meets your needs. The exit end of the folder is just as important.  Does the sheet need to go into another operation? Can the manufacturer provide a special conveyor that will stack, insert, batch or convey material to next operation?

8. Maintenance & Warranty

It is always a plus when there are extended warranties and/or technical and maintenance support. Find a supplier with an on-site technical support and maintenance team. Ask if parts are readily available.