The Akiles DuoMac 541 is a high quality combination binding system that is designed for binding documents spiral coil.Normally,
you would have to use two different binding machines to do the same
tasks as the DuoMac 541. This means that the DuoMac 541 can save you
space, time and money.
Overview:
The Akiles DuoMac 541 is a high quality combination binding system that is designed for binding documents spiral coil.
The
DuoMac 541 is the only machine of its kind. It includes a unique design
that allows users to punch both a 5:1 pitch hole pattern for spiral
coil binding and a 4:1 pitch hole pattern for spiral coil binding.
Normally,
you would have to use two different binding machines to do the same
tasks as the DuoMac 541. This means that the DuoMac 541 can save you
space, time and money.
Strengths / Features:
The
DuoMac541 is capable of binding documents with both 4:1 and 5:1 pitch
spiral coil. Although there are a large number of 4:1 pitch coil
binding machines available on the market there are very few machines
capable of binding documents with 5:1 pitch coil. With this machine,
you can choose the pitch of coil that you want to use depending on the
size of your document or the look that you prefer.
Both
punching throats on the 541 Duomac include five disengageable punching
pins. Using these punching pins it is possible to use this machine with
all of the most common sizes of paper. Each punch is capable of
handling documents up to thirteen inches in length. However, the
throats on both punching heads are open so that you can punch longer
paper using a two step process.
On the right hand side of the
machine you will notice two small knobs. These knobs are used to adjust
the punching margin on this machine. You can set the machine to punch
the holes closer to the edge of your paper for smaller sized documents
or further away for larger sized documents. Using this feature you can
maximize the strength of your bound documents while ensuring that the
pages turn freely on your coils.
The DuoMac 541 also includes
a high quality pair of spiral coil crimping pliers to help you finish
your documents. These pliers are used to cut and crimp the ends of your
bound document so that the spiral coil does not spin back off the edge
of your book.
Weaknesses / Limitations:
The
DuoMac 541 is built on the same platform as all of the other machines
in the Akiles Duo Mac line of binding machines. This means that it
includes a wire closer. However, the wire closer is essentially useless
on this machine. Wire is not available in either 4:1 or 5:1 spacing.
This simply means that you will need to ignore the closer or use it
with documents that are punched on another machine.
Oddly
enough, the DuoMac 541 includes a wire closer that you don't need and
is missing a spiral coil inserter that would be really handy. Akiles
suggests that you purchase this machine with a Roll @ Coil modular coil
inserter. This is an excellent idea. Without a coil inserter you will
end up having to spin all of the spines onto the edge of your document
by hand.
This machine can bind documents with both 4:1 pitch
and 5:1 pitch spiral coil. However, you are still limited to the
supplies that are available for each pitch. Four to one pitch coils are
available in a huge variety of sizes and colors. However, five to one
pitch coils are only available in sizes up to 25mm. Five to one pitch
coils also tend to be slightly more expensive and a little bit harder
to find than their four to one pitch counterparts.
Although
this machine is extremely well built, it is still a manual binding
machine. Organizations who need to bind large numbers of documents or
extremely large documents will most likely find the manual nature of
this machine is fairly tedious. As a general rule, the DuoMac 541 is a
good fit for companies that need to bind up to fifty documents per
week. Companies that bind more than this may want to investigate a
larger electric binding system.
Recommendation:
The
Duomac 541 is an excellent choice for a company who wants the
flexibility to choose between four to one and five to one pitch spiral
coil binding. No other desktop machine offers this flexibility.
Like
the entire line of Akiles equipment this machine is built with
precision components and is known for its quality and durability.
However,
users who do decide to purchase this machine should really consider
buying a coil inserter to increase productivity in assembling documents.
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.
