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Hints For Getting the Best Results With the Powis Parker Fastback Splitter

Unlike previous technology, the Splitter does not rough or notch the bind edge of the paper. The microknives hit each page in parallel, splitting open the edge of the paper and allowing the adhesive to penetrate into the raw fibers inside each sheet of paper. This creates a firm anchor for each page to flex around, much like the roots of a tree. This is a completely new method of paper preparation, and requires some additional application knowledge in order to optimize the binding quality results.

Paper Selection and Characteristics

1. The effectiveness of the Splitter is dependent on paper type; weight, finish coat, grain, etc. Even the same weight paper (i.e. 110# Text) from different manufacturers will respond differently.

2. Paper grain direction is a critical consideration for any binding. The paper grain should be parallel with the bind edge (i.e. grain short in a landscape book) to allow the pages to bend easily without fighting the bind. This is especially important with heavier coated papers.

3. Prior to production, we recommend making several printed sample test books using different Splitter settings to determine the optimal settings.

Splitter settings

1. The Normal splitter settings have been optimized for glossy coated paper in the 140-180 gsm range (100-110# Text Gloss)

2. If the Splitter settings are incorrect, the edge splitting, which is required to allow the adhesive to penetrate into the page, will fray the edge and can actually interfere with the binding..

3. Splitter settings are Depth, Rate, Pass, Jogging and Compression.

4. Pass, Jogging and Compression settings do not directly influence edge split quality and should not be changed unless you are using a paper that doesn't require much splitting and needs a faster cycle time.

5. Depth settings adjust how far the blades penetrate into the edge of the paper. The Normal setting works for most coated papers. The Light setting can be used for paper that just needs some light splits for added pull strength. We have yet to recommend a paper that needs the Deep setting.

6. Rate settings adjust how many times the blades hit each page. There are three available rate settings: Coarse, Normal and Fine. The Normal setting works for most coated papers. With the Coarse setting, the Splitter moves more quickly over the pages, so each page receives fewer hits. This is important for thicker paper (i.e. 60# cover) and easy to split paper, to reduce the potential edge damage. We have yet to recommend a paper that needs the Fine setting since it typically damages the split edges.

Evaluating Split Results

1. Ideal: The pages are visibly split in a smooth pattern with no large stripes or missed areas. The first and last pages are not dramatically folded over or damaged.

2. Too Light: Pages that are not split deep enough or have unsplit areas may not allow the penetration of the adhesive into the page. This is observed as smooth page edges or gaps in the split when removed from the Splitter. Light splitting results in pages lightly bonded-they may look acceptable, but might pull out with slight tugging. Typically several pages come out of the bind.

3. Too Deep: Splits that are too deep cause the end of the pages to be crushed, damaged and folded over. This sometimes causes the pages to 'hang up' on each other in the binder which blocks the glue from penetrating each page. The results are a poor quality bind-typically a single page that is not attached at all or the first and last pages folded over and stuck to the endleaves.

Operation Hints:

1. While the Splitter is jogging, keep your finger on top of the paper with light pressure until the green start button is pushed, the jogging stops and the book block is clamped. This prevents pages from bouncing up during the jogging operation and being clamped at an angle where they cannot be split.

2. If the split fades (becomes lighter) from Right to Left on the book, either there is not the proper gap to the paper stop or the book block was pushed and held at an angle during the clamping. Any small angle will affect the depth of the split. The blades are aligned for the paper edge to be exactly perpendicular with the clamp.

3. If there is a straight unsplit band (front to back) on the split edge, open the splitter and check for broken teeth. Replace blade as needed. Contact technical support.

4. If there is a broad unsplit band from Right to Left without a sharp edge, check the straightness of the paper edge against a flat surface. Any curve, typically in the center, is an indication of a dull guillotine cutting blade and requires the paper to be recut so the edge is flat. This problem typically does not occur when splitting the mill cut edge of paper and can be confirmed using uncut paper from a ream.

5. Adding the endleaves to the book block prior to splitting is acceptable provided the endleaf paper is heavy enough that the Splitter does not cut through the folded edge.

About the Author

If you are interested in more information about the Powis Parker Fastback Splitter or are looking for Fastback Binding Machines or Fastback Binding Strips you should visit MyBinding.com. They are the largest online dealer for Powis Parker Fastback products in the United States. In fact, they carry the entire line of Powis Parker Fastback binding products.

Chris Brown FAME UNCUT (Bow Wow, Lloyd Banks, Waka Flocka, FunkMaster Flex, and Kevin McCall)

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