The following guide will assist you with most problems that may be encountered when laminating.
.1 GENERAL ISSUES
PROBLEM: Laminator is inoperative (rollers do not turn or heat).
ACTION: Unit may be unplugged. Connect power supply. Ensure that the circuit breaker has not tripped. Press the 15 amp circuit breaker button next to the On/Off switch to ensure it is seated. If it is out, the circuit breaker is tripped. It can be reset but may indicate an electric issue inside the machine. If you reset the circuit breaker and it trips again, remove power from the machine and remove the covers and check the wiring inside the machine. This unit is rated at 15A and should be the only item plugged into a 15A.
PROBLEM: Rollers move, but do not heat.
ACTION: Make sure that the heat is turned on by pressing the heat button. When the machine is set to COLD it will show 32 which means room temperature. Pressing HEAT will display 230 and the green ready light comes on when it reaches 230 degrees F.
PROBLEM: Laminator heats, but rollers do not turn.
ACTION: If pressing the “Run” button does not work, check the set screw on the drive sprocket mounted on the motor. If there is no display check the 15 amp circuit breaker to see if it is tripped. Check the transformer to see if there is 36VAC going to the PC Board on the two yellow wires.
PROBLEM: Laminating film and item being laminated move through laminator erratically.
ACTION: Check thickness of item to be laminated. Maximum thickness is 3/16" (4.7mm). Clean rollers of residual adhesive. Refer to Maintenance article for cleaning instructions.
PROBLEM: Laminated material curls after leaving pull rollers.
ACTION: Adjust tension. If laminated item curls upwards, reduce top mandrel tension. If item curls downward, reduce bottom mandrel tension. Clean rollers of residual adhesive as it may be causing “drag” on one side. Refer to Maintenance article for cleaning instructions.
PROBLEM: Machine smokes and emits fumes.
ACTION: Reduce temperature. Never exceed 300°F. Unplug machine and thoroughly clean rollers.
PROBLEM: Temperature inaccurate, machine overheating.
ACTION: Ensure that there is no blockage between the sensor and roller. The sensor should NOT
be in contact with the roller.
PROBLEM: Bubble in the roller
ACTION: Customer must send photos of the roller. If bubbles are confirmed, the roller will need replacement.
.2 FILM ISSUES
PROBLEM: Plastic is not bonding to the item or to itself at the edges.
ACTION: Make sure rollers are at proper operating temperature and speed and have had time to
warm up. Decrease the speed to allow more time for the heated rollers to reach their
set temperature. See Table 1 for the suggested temperature ranges. Ensure you are
using quality film. If the temperature is set correctly and the film is not bonding, then
the film is most likely bad.
PROBLEM: Blistering of the film appears over the item or along the edge.
ACTION: Reduce roller temperature. Clean laminating rollers. Refer to Maintenance article for cleaning instructions. There may be moisture in the paper you are laminating. Store paper in a dry place and be sure that any ink is thoroughly dry before laminating.
PROBLEM: Stretch lines appear on laminated items running parallel with the outside edges.
ACTION: Increase supply mandrel tension on top and/or bottom supply rolls. Reduce roller temperature. Clean rollers of residual adhesive. Refer to Maintenance article for cleaning instructions.
PROBLEM: Wrinkles on laminated item running parallel with supply rolls.
ACTION: Increase film mandrel tension on top and/or bottom supply rolls; only small amounts between tests. Reduce roller temperature.
Check to make sure the film roll is not spinning freely of the mandrel. If so, realign the washers on the mandrel. Also make sure the collar on the mandrel is not spinning free of the shaft.
PROBLEM: Lamination is not bonding to the item or to itself at the edges.
ACTION: Make sure rollers are at proper operating temperature and speed and have had time to warm up. Decrease the speed to allow more time for the heated rollers to reach their set temperature. See Table 1 for the suggested temperature ranges. Ensure you are using our quality proprietary film. If the temperature is set correctly and the film is still not bonding, then the film may need to be replaced.
PROBLEM: Laminated material curls after leaving pull rollers.
ACTION: Adjust tension. If laminated item curls upwards, reduce top mandrel tension. If item
curls downward, reduce bottom mandrel tension. Clean rollers of residual adhesive as it
may be causing “drag” on one side. Refer to MAINTENANCE section for cleaning
instructions.
.3 ELECTRICAL ISSUES
PROBLEM: Laminator blows fuses often.
ACTION: Ensure machine is running on a dedicated circuit. Do not exceed maximum material thickness. Reduce supply mandrel tension.