31
Mar
Akiles Duomac 431 4:1 Coil And 3:1 Wire Binding Machine Review
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.
For more information or to purchase the Akiles DuoMac 431 4:1 Coil and 3:1 Wire Binding Machine visit MyBinding.com Jeff McRitchie is the director of marketing for MyBinding.com. He writes extensively on topics related to Binding Covers,Binding Supplies,Binding Machines, Binders, Index Tabs, Laminators, Laminating Pouches and more.