How to Use the Velobind System 3
How to Velobind with a Velobind System 3 Binding Machine:
Learn how to bind documents with the GBC Velobind System 3 with this illustrated guide. Follow the steps below for Controls, Punching, Assembly, Binding, and Debinding. If you need help or have questions, please call our Customer Service Team at 1-866-455-9900.
- FOOT PEDAL: Used for hands free punch operation when the machine is placed in the "Auto Punch" mode.
- BIND EDGE GUIDE: Adjustable guide used to align documents for the binding and debinding cycle.
- PUNCH EDGE GUIDE: Adjustable guide used to position document to be punched. In "auto" punch mode, inserting document next to this guide activates punch cycle immediately.
- DEBRIS TRAY: Located in base of machine, collects excess paper and strip debris, and contains operating instructions. Empty frequently.
- PUNCH SURFACE: Surface where document is placed for punching holes.
- STRIP RECESS: The strip recess supports the bottom strip.
- BIND SURFACE: Surface where document is placed for binding after it is punched.
- BACKSTOP: Serves to position document correctly, along with the locating pin and bind edge guide, so holes are aligned for easy insertion of top (pin) strip. The scale on the backstop measures document thickness for selection of pin strip length, or appropriate hard cover size.
- LOCATING PIN: Centers the strip pins for binding and debinding. The small hole in the bottom strip must be placed on this pin for proper machine operation.
- PRESSURE BAR: Exerts pressure on and holds document in place during the binding and debinding cycle.
- POWER INDICATOR LED: Illuminates when "Start" button is depressed indicating power is being applied to machine.
- START/STOP (POWER ON/OFF) SWITCH: Pressing the "Start" side turns machine on. Pressing the "Stop" side turns the machine off.
- READY INDICATOR LED: Illuminates after approximately 45 seconds. Indicates machine is ready to bind.
- <1" (UNDER 1") INDICATOR LED: Lights when <1" Selector Switch is depressed.
- <1" (UNDER 1") SELECTOR SWITCH: Pressing this button places the machine in fast bind mode. Bind cycle is cut in half from standard bind mode. Used for books less than 1 inch in thickness.
- AUTO PUNCH INDICATOR LED: Lights when Auto Punch Selector Switch is depressed.
- AUTO PUNCH SELECTOR SWITCH: Pressing this button allows the operator to actuate the punch cycle automatically by placing the paper stack next to the punch edge guide, or by depressing the foot pedal.
- LED DISPLAY WINDOW: Displays a chasing line while machine warms up, displays the current number of binds up to 99, and counts down the Debind cycle. Allows technician to set debind time, temperature, and to check the counter.
- MANUAL PUNCH BUTTON: When Auto Punch is not depressed, this button must be depressed in order to punch the paper stack.
- DEBIND BUTTON: Pressing this button places machine in debind mode for debinding documents.
- DEBIND INDICATOR LED: Lights when Debind Selector Switch is depressed.
- >1" (OVER 1") SELECTOR SWITCH: Pressing this button places the machine in standard bind mode. The standard bind mode is recommended for documents over 1 inch where maximum binding strength is required.
- >1" (OVER 1") INDICATOR LED: Lights when >1" Selector Switch is depressed.
- STANDBY INDICATOR LIGHT: Illuminates after On Button pressed - indicates machine is in warm-up mode. Goes out when machine is ready.
- Push On Button "R" to turn machine on.
- Loosen Punch Edge Guide Knob, and position Punch Edge Guide "A" so line on decal matches paper size line on Punch Platen "H". Proper positioning of the Punch Edge Guide "A" allows correct punching of your document to ensure it does not extend beyond the strip on either end when bound.
- Select the desired punch mode.
- To select "Automatic Punch Mode", press Auto Punch Button "N". Insert your document into the Punch Throat squarely just to the right of the Punch Edge Guide "A" and slide your document left to the Punch Edge Guide "A" to activate the punch cycle (the metal piece you see inside the guide is the punch cycle "trigger" or "actuator").
- To punch manually, insert your document into the Punch Throat squarely next to the Punch Edge Guide "A", and press the Manual Punch Button "O".
- To punch using the Foot Pedal, insert your document into the Punch Throat squarely next to the Punch Edge Guide "A", and depress the Foot Pedal.
- Punch a test sheet of paper. Fold punched test sheet to check punch hole location and alignment from edges of paper to ensure holes are equally spaced from edges of sheet (see Figure 4-2). Adjust Punch Edge Guide "A" if necessary, and recheck test sheet punched after adjustment.
- After ensuring your Punch Edge Guide "A" is properly positioned, tighten the Punch Edge Guide Knob, jog document to be punched so all edges are even, and insert document into Punch Throat according to step 3-A or 3-B instructions depending on punch mode selected.
- Insert the bottom strip (strip with holes) into the Strip Recess "F", textured side down, fitting the small hole in strip over the Locating Pin "D" which protrudes slightly from the bottom surface of the Strip Recess "F". Note: The position of the Locating Pin is indicated by the arrow painted on the Backstop "E". When the strip is correctly positioned, the hole closest to the left end of the strip will be aligned with the vertical line on the Backstop "E".
Note: Failure to properly place the small hole in the bottom strip over the Locating Pin will result in the pins not being cut off, and can jam up the machine. - Place the punched document face up (first sheet on top and last sheet on bottom) on the Bind Platen "G", with the left edge of the document next to the Bind Edge Guide "B", and the punched edge resting against the Backstop "E". Note: The Bind Edge Guide "B" is properly adjusted when the punched holes of the document are aligned with strip holes and the left edge of the document is resting next to the Bind Edge Guide "B".
- The maximum binding capacity of the machine is 3 inches. If document is to be enclosed in a soft cover, the front and back covers must be assembled as shown in Figure 4-3, and bound into the document at this time. If document is to be enclosed in a hard cover, VeloBind endsheets must be bound into the document at this time. The endsheets are placed on the front and back of the document with the printed release paper facing out, and the plain white sides facing the first and last sheets of the document. (The hard cover will be attached to the document after the binding is completed.)
- Insert the top strip (strip with pins) into the holes in the document and bottom strip. Press the top strip down firmly until it contacts the top sheet of the document.
- Press >1" Button "K" or <1" Button "L" to place machine in desired binding mode.
- Lower the Pressure Bar "C" onto top binding strip and document stack.
- The binding cycle will begin immediately and automatically. When the binding process is completed (approximately 16 seconds in >1" mode, and 8 seconds in <1" mode), the Pressure Bar "C" will raise automatically, and the bound document can be removed.
- The Debris Tray "J" should be checked and emptied frequently if the machine is used consistently. If periodically used, Debris Tray "J" should be checked and emptied on a daily basis. Make sure the Debris Tray "J" is reinserted properly and completely into the Base. Excess pin buildup and damage may occur if the tray is not inserted fully into the base.
- Place document to be debound as follows:
- Bound edge against Backstop "E".
- Small hole in bottom strip over Locating Pin "D".
- Edge of document next to Bind Edge Guide "B".
- Once the document to be debound is properly located, press the Debind Button "M" to place in debind mode.
- Lower the Pressure Bar "C" onto document, and the machine will go through the debinding cycle.
- Immediately after the Pressure Bar "C" raises (approximately 25 seconds), remove the document and peel the top strip off.
- Press either Standard Bind Button "K", or Fast Bind Button "L" to place the machine back in binding mode.
Need supplies to bind with your Velobind System 3? We have some of the most popular Velobind supplies listed below, and you can view more Velobind Strips, Binding Covers, and Velobind Machines to see our full selection.