The Akiles CBM650 modular comb opener was is
designed to allow users with a modular binding punch to quickly and
easily insert their punched pages onto plastic comb binding spines. The Akiles CBM 650 is the only plastic comb
opener available on the market with a detachable handle that can be
installed on either the left or right side of the machine. This makes
this unit an ideal choice for left handed users and for organizations
with multiple users.
Overview:
The
Akiles CBM650 modular comb opener was is designed to allow users with a
modular binding punch to quickly and easily insert their punched pages
onto plastic comb binding spines.
Designed by Akiles to work with the Versamac modular
binding punch, this comb opener can be used with virtually any modular
punching system and can even be used to increase productivity with
smaller manual and electric comb binding systems.
The CBM650 is similar to other modular comb openers by
GBC, Rhin-O-Tuff, Tamerica and Renz. However it includes several
features that are not commonly found on other comb openers.
Strengths / Features:
The
Akiles CBM 650 is the only plastic comb opener available on the market
with a detachable handle that can be installed on either the left or
right side of the machine. This makes this unit an ideal choice for
left handed users and for organizations with multiple users.
This modular comb opener is designed for use with plastic
combs up to 24 rings in length. This means that it can be used to bind
books that are legal size (14 inches), letter size (11 inches), A4 size
(11.7 inches) and smaller half size documents.
The CBM-650 is made of heavy duty metal for lasting
operation. It is mounted to a high quality stand that offers a comb
sizing guide. The metal teeth on this machine are heavy duty and are
long enough for use with both small round shaped plastic combs and
larger oval shaped combs.
The comb opening mechanism on the CBM650 seems to be both
heavy duty and designed well. It is important when looking for a
plastic comb opener that the comb stays open and does not slip when you
are inserting your pages. On some comb openers this can be a problem
when binding documents with larger combs. This machine did not slip
when binding documents with either small or large sized combs.
The price point on this machine is excellent. In fact, it
is one of the most affordable comb opening machines available on the
market.
Weaknesses / Limitations:
One
of the few potential weaknesses of this machine is that the handle used
to open the combs is relatively small and is tilted back when the
opener is in the closed position. This small handle can take a little
bit getting used to but after a while it seemed relatively easy to use.
The CBM650 has long open slots on the top of the machine.
Over time it is possible for paper dust, and chads to build fall into
these slots and to build up on the mechanism inside the machine. It is
a good idea to take the machine and periodically blow it out with an
air compressor. However, over time it still may be necessary to take
the machine apart to clean it especially in production environments.
The Akiles CBM650 will easily sit on a table, counter or
on the top of your machine. However, many other comb openers have a
larger footprint than this model providing more stability during the
comb opening process. It didn't seem tipsy during testing. However, it
was not as stable or heavy as other comb openers that we have tested.
This may be a weakness for some users and a potential strength for
other users.
Recommendation:
The excellent price point and the ambidextrous design of the Akiles CBM650 make it a definite winner.
This machine is an excellent choice for use with a modular
binding punch such as the GBC Magnapunch, Akiles Versamac or any of the
Rhin-O-Tuff binding punches that are available on the market.
It can even be used along with smaller desktop comb
binding systems to increase productivity by forming an assembly line
with one user punching and another inserting pages onto the binding
combs.
This review was written by Jeff McRitchie who is the director of marketing for Mybinding.com.
Jeff has written more than three hundred articles and more than two
hundred reviews on Binding Machines, Binding Supplies, Report Covers,
3-Ring Binders, Index Tabs, Laminators, Laminating Supplies, Paper
Shredders and Paper Handling Equipment.
