3. Basics of Operating Your Laminator,
Encapsulating
…
3.1 Encapsulating
Your new laminator arrives ready-to-run. For basic encapsulating, the machine needs to be
loaded with laminating film and have the Feed Table and Heat Guard installed. If the machine is
not loaded with laminating film already, do so as detailed in the section titled “3.2 Loading Film for
Encapsulating.” For operating instructions utilizing foam boards, see the section titled “3.6
ProMount Foam Boards.”
Plug the laminator into an appropriate power supply and set the Heat Switch to the “ON” position.
Next,
set the temperature according to the film manufacturer’s recommendations for the film you
have chosen, and allow the machine to heat for approximately 15 minutes. Temperature
adjustment is detailed in the section titled “3.4 Heat Settings for Encapsulating.”
After 15 minutes of heating time, set the Motor Drive Switch to the “FORWARD” position and
allow the rubber r
ollers to rotate ½ turn. Set the Motor Drive Switch to the “OFF” position and
allow the machine to heat an additional 15 minutes before use. Check the heat setting and adjust
as necessary.
Set the Motor Drive Switch to the “FORWARD” position and perform a test lamination to ensure
proper settings for successful lamination. Watch film as it exits the rollers so it doesn’t wrap
around the rollers. It may be helpful to hold the exiting film at first when starting a lamination run.
If any adjustments are necessary make them now and run another test; see adjustment details in
the section titled “3.5 Film Tension for Encapsulating.” Repeat this step until you obtain desired
results.
When laminating, run a small amount of film before feeding the print into the laminator to avoid a
“dwell line” across the leading edge of your print. Feed the print slowly
and
evenly. Smoothing
the print or keeping gentle
“back pressure” on it as the rollers pull it through will help to ensure a
professional, wrinkle free finish. You may laminate subsequent prints now, leaving appropriate
space between each print for trimming.
When your last print has cleared the pull rollers and completely exited the laminator, set the
Motor Drive Switch to the “OFF” position.
Do Not
use the Speed Control Knob to turn the drive
system
“OFF;” the speed control is
only
to be used for controlling running speed.
When you have finished laminating, set the Heat Switch and the Motor
Drive Switch to the “OFF”
position, rotate the roller lift handl
e to “open” the rollers, and unplug the machine at the end of the
day.
