Akiles DuoMac 431 4:1 Coil and 3:1 Wire Binding Machine Review
Posted on April 9, 2008 - Filed Under Business
The Akiles DuoMac 431 is
a combination binding system that is designed for binding documents
with more than one style of binding.In fact, this machine
allows users to produce high quality professional reports and
presentations using one of two different hole patterns.This
makes the DuoMac431 ideal for companies that want to customize the look
of different types of documents or who want to distinguish their
internal and external presentations.
Overview:
- The Akiles DuoMac 431 is
a combination binding system that is designed for binding documents
with more than one style of binding. - In fact, this machine
allows users to produce high quality professional reports and
presentations using one of two different hole patterns. - These
two hole patterns allow users to choose one of four different binding
styles to finish their documents, presentations and proposals. - This
makes the DuoMac431 ideal for companies that want to customize the look
of different types of documents or who want to distinguish their
internal and external presentations.
Strengths / Features:
- The
Akiles DuoMac 431 is capable of producing two completely different
hole-patterns. One punching throat is designed for producing a 4:1
pitch round hole pattern. This pattern is used with 4:1 pitch spiral
coil binding supplies. The other punching throat on this machine
produces a 3:1 pitch square hole pattern. This hole pattern can be used
with 3:1 pitch twin loop wire, GBC Proclick binding spines and 3:1
Spiral Coil. All together, the two hole patterns produced by this
machine can be used to bind documents with four different binding
styles. - The 4:1 pitch round hole punch included on this
machine is thirteen inches in length and has five strategically placed
disengageable punching pins. These punching pins allow users to punch
all of the most common sizes of paper using the four to one hole
pattern. Specifically, the DuoMac 431 can punch letter size, A4, legal
size, A5 and half letter sheets for binding with 4:1 pitch spiral coil. - The
3:1 pitch punch on the DuoMac-431 has fully disengageable punching pins
and a fourteen inch punching throat. This allows for punching virtually
any length of paper up to 14″. - Both the 4:1 and 3:1 punches
on this machine have open punching throats. This allows for punching
documents that are longer than thirteen or fourteen inches using a two
step punching process. You simply punch one end of the document and
then flip the document over and punch the other side. There is even a
continuous punching guide to help you get the holes aligned correctly. - The
DuoMac 431 also includes a pair of spiral coil crimping pliers. These
coil crimping pliers will help you to cut and crimp the ends of your
4:1 and 3:1 pitch coil so that the coils don’t spin off your bound
books. - On the right hand side of the DuoMac-431 there are two
small knobs. These knobs allow you to adjust the distance of the holes
from the edge of your paper. When binding small sized documents it is a
good idea to set the holes so that they are close to the edge of the
paper. This helps the pages to move smoothly inside the bind. For
larger documents, you can add strength to the binding by setting the
holes further away from the edge of your sheets. - The
Duomac431 has a high quality wire closer and wire hanger on the front
of the machine. This wire closer is made from high quality steel and
should have not problem maintaining its accuracy over time. The wire
hanger is extremely helpful for assembling your wire bound
presentations and proposals during the binding process.
Weaknesses / Limitations:
- Although
this machine includes a huge number of great features, it does not
include a coil inserter. Akiles suggests that this machine be paired
with the Roll @ Coil modular inserter. The Roll @ Coil is reasonably
priced and would certainly help to increase the coil binding
productivity offered by this machine. - Each of the binding
styles that can be used with the DuoMac 431 have their limitations. In
fact none of these binding styles is a good choice for organizations
that bind a lot of documents larger than 1″ thick. GBC Proclick is only
available in three sizes ranging from 5/16″ up to 5/8″. Three to one
pitch wire binding is available in sizes from 3/16″ up to 9/16″ and
cannot be used for larger documents. Four to one pitch coil is
available in sizes from 6mm up to 50mm. However, sizes above 25mm are
very difficult to insert onto the edge of your books (imagine trying to
spin a slinky onto the edge of your book). Three to one pitch spiral
coil is available in the same sizes as 4:1 coil but has the same
problems when you try to insert larger sized spines onto your
documents. - The Duomac-431 includes a lot of great features.
However, with so many features and options on one machine, this piece
of equipment begins to look a little bit intimidating to many users.
Inexperienced users may not know where to begin with a machine such as
this. It isn’t that hard to figure out, as long as you are brave enough
to try.
Recommendation:
- Of all the
machines in the Akiles DuoMac line of equipment the 431 is one of the
most useful. It combines the ability to bind documents with 4:1 pitch
coil and 3:1 pitch wire which are two of the most popular and elegant
binding styles used by organizations around the world. - This
is a great machine for small copy shop or professional organization
that is looking to bind documents with several different binding styles
without having to buy multiple binding machines. - However,
this is still a manual binding machine and is not designed for high
volume production environments. If you need to bind more than fifty
documents per week you may benefit from a modular electric binding
system. - Additionally , users who want to use the Duomac 431
for coil binding should really consider purchasing a coil inserter to
help spin the coils onto their documents. An inserter will help to save
time and can quickly pay for itself in most professional settings.
About the author
If you need more information or would like to purchase the Akiles DuoMac 431 4:1 Coil and 3:1 Wire Binding Machine or any of the other Combination Binding Machines that we carry please feel to visit our site or contact us with your questions.
This review was written by Jeff McRitchie who is the director of marketing for Mybinding.com.
Jeff has written more than three hundred articles and more than two
hundred reviews on Binding Machines, Binding Supplies, Report Covers,
3-Ring Binders, Index Tabs, Laminators, Laminating Supplies, Paper
Shredders and Paper Handling Equipment.
Tags: akiles, binding documents, binding spines, binding styles, binding system, choose one, coil binding, external presentations, hole pattern, hole punch, pins, pitch, professional reports, proposals, spiral coil, square hole, twin loop wire
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