Five Tips for Choosing an Interchangeable Die Binding Punch

For companies who bind large numbers of books and documents, an interchangeable die binding punch is a logical choice. These heavy duty binding machines are designed for high volume punching applications and allow you to quickly and easily change hole patterns in just seconds. However, not all modular punches are the same and trying to discern the differences between the different models can sometimes be difficult. This article is designed to provide you with five tips for choosing a modular binding punch.

1. Look for the punching capacity. Some models are capable of punching as many as 55 sheets per lift. Others are only capable of handling 15-20 sheets. Most fall somewhere in between. Depending on the volume of binding that your organization does, you may or not need an extremely large capacity. When choosing a punch, it is important to remember that you shouldn’t punch the full capacity of the machine with every lift. You should also recognize that depending on the hole pattern that you choose, the capacity might be less than the maximum (patterns with more holes will result in a reduction in the number of sheets that can be handled at one time).
2. Consider the maximum length offered by the punch. Some models are fourteen inches wide so that they can be used with legal sized documents. However, many are only capable of handling letter size documents. If you plan on binding legal size documents you will want a fourteen inch throat. If you need to bind larger documents you will want to make sure that you get an open throat.
3. Figure out how difficult it will be to change the dies. The best models allow users to simply slide dies in and out of the side of the machine. With these machines, changing dies takes only a few seconds. However, other machines require loosening bolts and thumb screws in order to change dies. These machines take much longer to change over and are not ideal for print shops or organizations where frequent die changes are required.
4. Do you prefer a vertical or a horizontal punching mechanism? Some modular machines have a horizontal punching throat allowing you to insert the document into the front of the machine. Others have a vertical punching slot requiring users to insert their pages into the top of the machine. Each style has its strengths and weaknesses and some users swear by each style. Personally, I find the horizontal throat to be more efficient than the vertical throat.
5. How fast is the punching cycle on the punch that you are considering? Larger modular binding punches have continuous cycle motors with incredibly fast punching cycles. These machines require fractions of a second to punch a document. Other models have slower cycles and can take a couple of seconds to punch. Although this doesn’t seem like a long time, it makes a huge difference in the productivity that you get from your machine.

With these five things in mind, you are now prepared to choose a modular binding punch that will fit your needs. Take a look at the options, compare the features and choose the machine that is right for your needs. Just remember to compare other features such as manufacturer reputation, warranty and of course price.

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