Formax Inserters

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  • mikadonovan
    Senior Tech

    Site Contributor
    2,500+ Posts
    • May 2008
    • 2936

    Formax Inserters

    Do any of you guys work on inserters? We may be putting a Formax 6300 series inserter in a utilities office, and I just wondered if these are a pain to work on as I would be the tech for it (just like everything else).
    NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING
  • fixthecopier
    ALIEN OVERLORD

    2,500+ Posts
    • Apr 2008
    • 4714

    #2
    Re: Formax Inserters

    We sell a different brand, and based on my experience, Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. All kidding aside, the couple I took apart {notice I didn't say worked on}, were a pain in the ass.
    The greatest enemy of knowledge isn't ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. Stephen Hawking

    Comment

    • rh112
      Technician

      50+ Posts
      • Dec 2007
      • 51

      #3
      Re: Formax Inserters

      Yes have been working on them for almost 34 years
      Have serviced everything from small one to the big console inserters
      The most important thing is material, material, material
      .

      Customers will usually start out with good envelopes and then change to cheaper ones
      Usually find the envelopes are not glued well and will tend to pull apart as they are being separated or when the material is being inserted. Sometimes the widows are not glued well and cause same issue. Also the glue on flaps will be almost nonexistence and not sealing well. If they will let the vendor know they need envelopes for mechanical insertion it will help. Have to get the customer to understand the machine has to feed the envelope open the flap then insert material and then close and seal the flap.

      The material to be inserted needs to be good quality.
      I have seen the paper curled so bad it will not lay flat. Have seen paper that is almost brittle from heat from what ever machine it was printed on. The customer will also decide to add an insert and it will either be very thin or very slick and cause problem with feeding.

      Will also need a good operator or operators
      The operator must have the patience to make the necessary adjustment to machine.




      These machines will be like any other that moves paper will have normal ware and tear parts and PM parts. Like any other machine once you have some experience with them it gets easier.

      Comment

      • kingpd@businessprints.net
        Senior Tech

        500+ Posts
        • Feb 2008
        • 919

        #4
        Re: Formax Inserters

        I do the Formax line.

        The previous post is spot on.

        The highest end machine is a bit more lenient on what you put through it but the low to mid volume work best with OSSS and OSDS envelopes. I'll attach photos.

        Many of the cheap bulk envelopes like staples or sams club has the #10 envelopes that go straight to a deep point on the flap...those are NOT good to use on inserters. You'll see from the photos that the flaps aren't that deep. Too deep of a flap will not clear the machine and jam.

        The one on the left is OSDS (stands for open side, diagonal seam).

        OSDS.gifosss envelope.jpg

        Comment

        • kingpd@businessprints.net
          Senior Tech

          500+ Posts
          • Feb 2008
          • 919

          #5
          Re: Formax Inserters

          rh112,

          what lines are you dealing with? I haven't worked outside of the Formax line, any thoughts or comments.

          Comment

          • fixthecopier
            ALIEN OVERLORD

            2,500+ Posts
            • Apr 2008
            • 4714

            #6
            Re: Formax Inserters

            My company deals in FP mail systems and folder inserters. Have any of you worked on this product, the support is not that good. That would explain my comment. Sorry to be a smart ass and no help but my run in with these was with no manual and no training I was sent to work magic on one for a new customer they were courting. Factory had sent them a used demo machine. At the end of 6 quality hours with it, I sent it back to the factory for them to repair. Not getting a ticket on one of these is like dodging a bullet.
            The greatest enemy of knowledge isn't ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. Stephen Hawking

            Comment

            • kingpd@businessprints.net
              Senior Tech

              500+ Posts
              • Feb 2008
              • 919

              #7
              Re: Formax Inserters

              I checked into FP before getting into the Formax line.

              $20,000 opening order; but no price list was given. Call me crazy but I like to see price lists and other information before handing over that kind of dough.

              I had heard they had problems years ago with a postal regulation update and their machines weren't in compliance for some time. Not sure if that was rumor or true.

              One company I will NEVER go with is Rena. Terrible and rude people at that company. Never ever!

              Not a big fan of Secap because of the handicap placed on them by Pitney Bowes (they own Secap).

              Comment

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