| The GBC MP2500ix interchangeable die punch | | | | half along the bind edge, the two holes |
| (previously the Ibico 640ID) is one of the | | | | closest to the "V" of the paper are your |
| most impressive modular binding punches on | | | | center points. If the paper is aligned at |
| the market. It is a perfect punch for small | | | | that point, the Die Set is properly centered. |
| to medium offices and small print shops. This | | | | * Because of its open end Punch Throat |
| punch, when combined with a piece of GBC | | | | design, the MP2500ix can punch non-standard |
| modular finishing equipment creates a | | | | sheet sizes that are larger than the maximum |
| versatile production system. This article | | | | width of the paper that can be punched in one |
| will provide you with some simple | | | | operation. Not that multiple steps are |
| instructions for using your GBC MP2500ix | | | | required to punch these larger sheets of |
| punch. 1. Select a die set for your MP2500ix | | | | paper. Some experimentation will be required |
| and insert fully into the system. You may | | | | to determine the correct position for the |
| first have to remove a die set already in the | | | | Edge Guide. You may need to remove some of |
| system. 2. Determine the number of holes | | | | the Punch Pins for proper punching of some |
| required for your document, and deselect any | | | | combinations of paper sizes and punching |
| pins not required. The pins are located under | | | | patterns. This can be quickly and easily |
| the Selector Pin Lid. 3. The edge guide on | | | | accomplished by following this guideline - |
| the MP2500ix punching table has a number of | | | | firs remove the Die Set you will be using o |
| alignment markings that correspond to the | | | | Determine the punch pins to be removed - |
| correct Edge Guide position for a variety of | | | | note, you will be punching the paper two |
| punching patterns and paper sizes. To adjust | | | | times - first one half, then the other. To |
| the Edge Guide to the proper cover/paper | | | | prepare for this operation, first place a |
| selection, ie. 11" x 8-1/2" to center the | | | | single sheet of the non-standard size paper |
| holes in the paper from top to bottom of the | | | | to be punched beside the dieset. Carefully |
| binding edge, loosen the Edge Guide Knob by | | | | fold the sheet in half. Holding the half |
| turning it counter-clockwise. Slide the Edge | | | | sheet up to the pins, determine which pins |
| Guide to the correct alignment mark that | | | | will be required to punch HALF of the paper. |
| corresponds to your selected punching pattern | | | | o Remove the extra punch pins by gently |
| and paper size. Tighten the Edge Guide Knob | | | | pressing down on the top rail of the Die Set. |
| to lock the Edge Guide in place. Please note, | | | | Unlatch the hook end of the Pin Retainer Rail |
| the markings for the location of the Edge | | | | (beside the Die Set Handle) and swing it free |
| Guide are approximate, and you may have to | | | | from the top of the Punch Pins. Pull the |
| slightly adjust the Edge Guide within the | | | | Punch Pins out that are not required. |
| area of the marking to obtain correct | | | | Reattach the Punch Pin Retainer. o Reinstall |
| centering. It is important that the Edge | | | | the die set by sliding the die set into the |
| Guide be properly positioned for the size | | | | machine as previously instructed. o Test |
| paper/cover you are punching. 4. Turn the | | | | several sheets of paper by punching one half, |
| system on by pushing the ON/Off switch at the | | | | turning the paper around, then punching the |
| back of the unit to ON (I). Verify that the | | | | other half. Adjust the Edge Guide and/or |
| Power light is on. Select a small list of | | | | number the Punch Pins as needed to acquire |
| paper, and place it vertically into the Punch | | | | the desired results. 5. The 640ID uses a |
| Throat. Slide the stack of sheets all the way | | | | variety of easily interchangeable Die Sets, |
| to the left, against the Edge Guide. Activate | | | | which versatility is one of the main features |
| the punch cycle by either pressing the Palm | | | | that makes this system so desirable, as it |
| Switch or the Foot Pedal. Remove the punched | | | | allows the operator create many different |
| material. To determine if the Edge Guide is | | | | images with the select bind styles. Note: |
| set correctly, fold a single sheet of the | | | | each punching style listed below requires a |
| punched paper in half along the punched edge. | | | | separate Die Set, with the exception of the |
| Match the holes up - if the corners of the | | | | 2-4/3-5-7 Die Set, which is for Looseleaf |
| paper match with no overlap - the space above | | | | Binding styles. A decal on the handle of each |
| the first hole is the same amount of space | | | | interchangeable die set indicates the |
| above the last hole, the alignment is | | | | punching pattern. |
| correct. If not, readjust the Edge Guide | | | | |
| (very slightly - a small move can make a big | | | | Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director |
| difference) and repeat the process until the | | | | of Marketing for He has written hundreds of |
| edges are squared. The punch is now ready to | | | | articles on topics related to Binding |
| use. * For Velobind, follow the preceding | | | | Machines,Modular Puches, Binding Supplies, |
| procedure, but when you fold the paper in | | | | Laminators, Laminating Supplies,and more. |