SETTING FOLD ROLLERS CORRECTLY

CORRECT FOLD ROLLER PRESSURES

Correct roller pressures are the most vital setting to achieve accurate consistent folds in any folding equipment.

Most operators do not check roller pressures from week to week. This is even more prevalent when there are 2nd and 3rd shifts involved.

Incorrect roller pressures are often the cause of out of square folds, erratic folds, dog ears, wrinkles, ETC.

Too much roller pressure can be worse than not enough; here is a basic way to set roller pressures on folders with gapset type roller settings:

A.    Turn power off to folder.

B.    Pull back the two top fold plates and either remove them or lock them in the up position exposing the fold rollers

C.   Insert one piece of light weight paper under each gapset or caliper

D.     Using the same thickness and type of paper tear approximately a 2” wide x 8” to 10 “ strip and insert a strip between the roller you are checking at each end, beginning with the number one roller and working your way through the fold rollers checking each position where the paper goes through the roller.

E.     Holding the end of the strip of paper with one hand and turning the hand wheel with the other hand in the direction which the fold rollers would normally turn and slowly feed the strip of paper into the fold roller, stop turning the hand wheel and slowly pull on the strip of paper using it as a feeler gauge, checking   both sides and ends of the roller feel the drag or tension of the strip of paper. It is here you will turn the roller adjustment for the roller you are checking to set the tension. Try to set the roller so it just kisses the sheet on each end of the roller, you will want even pressure on both ends. After working your way through the entire roller section check the rollers one more time. If you are happy with the settings then return the fold plates to their normal position. Some folders have a set screw which can lock or snub the roller setting to prevent movement of your setting. Also some roller settings have a reference ring on the gapset with a zero mark on them. Rotate the ring to reference your new setting.

ROLLER WEAR SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT ALSO, SOMETIMES THE ENDS OF THE ROLLERS FEEL GOOD BUT YOU MAY HAVE WEAR IN THE CENTER OR ON ONE END OF THE ROLLER. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY A TRAINED TECHNICIAN TO DETERMINE IF THE ROLLERS ARE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT.

Bindery Parts Incorporated (800) 560-0834