The Dynafold AF-300 desktop electric paper folder is an easy to use light volume folding machine.This review will take a look at the strengths, features, weaknesses and limitations of the AF300 paper folding machine.
Overview:
The Dynafold AF-300 desktop electric paper folder is an easy to use light volume folding machine.
It
is designed for folding letter or legal sized paper and can be
configured to fold documents in half, into a letter fold, in a zig zag
fold or with a fold out.
This review will take a look at the strengths, features, weaknesses and limitations of the AF300 paper folding machine.
Strengths / Features:
For such an inexpensive paper folding machine, the
Dynafold AF300 is actually fairly feature rich. It is capable of
folding sheets that are letter size, A4 size or legal size and can set
to fold custom sizes of paper as small as 4" x 6".
The AF-300
can be set to do one of four primary folding patterns including a half
fold, a fold out, a letter fold or a zig-zag fold. However, the fold
plates on the AF-300 are set manually and thus can be configured for
custom folds that are different from the four preset folds.
The
folder operates at a speed of up to 4000 sheets per hour or can be set
to fold documents manually. It can even fold sets of up to 3 sheets of
paper through the manual feed slot.
The AF-300 has a feed
hopper capable of holding up to fifty sheets of 20lb paper at a time.
However it is best to keep it to about half that many in order to
prevent feed problems and paper jams.
The AF-300 also comes
with a convenient desk stand and a metal paper catch bin that is ideal
for setting the machine on your desk or beside your postage meter.
Weaknesses / Limitations:
The fold plates on the AF-300 need to be adjusted
manually. You have to loosen the set screws and move the paper stops to
the correct positions. This can be pretty tricky and it can take a
while to set the folder up so that it folds correctly. One trick to
remember when setting up the fold plates is to use the manual feed knob
on the side of machine to feed the paper through the machine. Pay
attention to the paper as it hits the paper stops. If the paper stops
are crooked the machine won't fold straight. The AF-300 can take as
long as 10-15 minutes to set up. This makes it ideal for users who just
need to do just one style of fold.
The AF-300 is not
designed for folding heavy or glossy paper stocks. It is a great option
for folding standard copy papers but will have difficulties feeding
heavier stocks through the fold rollers of the machine.
The
AF-300 is really best suited for low volume folding. For users who need
to fold a few hundred documents a week this machine is probably a
reasonable solution. However, it is important to understand that using
this machine you WILL have paper jams and if you try to fold a lot of
paper it will be a headache. This is true of all paper folders in this
price range. It is something that many users simply don't understand
before purchasing this type of unit.
Recommendation:
The AF-300 is a fairly flexible low cost paper folding
machine that provides the user with the ability to fold several sizes
of paper into a number of different patterns.
However, the
AF-300 is really best suited for users who are looking to primarily
fold documents with one folding pattern and for users who need to fold
a few hundred sheets per week.
Attempting to use the AF-300
for higher volume folding applications is not recommended and will most
likely end up in both frustration and headaches.
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.
