Formax Atlas C350 User manual

Atlas C350
Automatic Air-Feed Programmable Folder/Creaser
OPERATOR MANUAL
10/2021

WARNING:
This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment this product may cause radio
interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
The product (System) which is connected to this machine will be class A.
NOTE:
The domestic environment is an environment where the use of broadcast radio and
television receivers may be expected within a distance of 10m of the apparatus concerned.

Introduction
This manual contains instructions on the operation and maintenance of this machine. To
get maximum versatility from this machine all operators should carefully read and follow
the instructions in this manual. Keep this manual in a handy place near the machine.
Please read the Safety Information before using this machine. It contains information
related to USER SAFETY and PREVENTING EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS.
How to Read This Manual
Notation Conventions
Whenever necessary, the following points for attention are indicated in this manual.
WARNING:
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if instructions are not followed,
could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION:
Indicates a potentiality hazardous situation which, if instructions are not followed, may
result in minor or moderate injury or damage to machine or property.
NOTE:
This sign refers to:
• Remarks for making the operation much easier. You get practical hints or knowledge to
assist you in the machine operation such as:
• Preparations required before operating
• How to prevent papers from being misfed or damaged
• Precautions required or actions to take after misoperation
• Limitations like numerical limits, functions that cannot be used together or conditions,
under which a particular function cannot be used or obtained.

WARNING:
• To avoid hazardous situations like for instance electric shock or danger while exposed
to moving, rotating or cutting devices, do not remove any covers, guards or screws
other than those specied in this manual.
•Turn o󰀨 the power and disconnect the power plug (by pulling the plug, not the cable) if
any of the following conditions exists:
• You drop objects or spill something into the equipment.
• You suspect that your equipment needs service or repair.
• Your equipment’s covers has been damaged.
• You notice unusual noises or odours when operating the equipment.
• If the power cable or plug becomes worn out or otherwise damaged.
•Before cleaning and care (unless otherwise specically instructed).
• Electromagnetic compliance:
•This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment this product may cause radio
interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
• The product (System) which is connected to this machine will be class A.
Safety Information
When using this machine, following safety precautions should always be followed.
Safety During Operation
General Safety
WARNING:
• Always connect the equipment to a properly grounded power source (wall outlet). If in
doubt, have the power source checked by a qualied electrician.
• Improper grounding of the equipment can result in electrical shock. Never connect the
machine to a power source that lacks a ground connection terminal. This machine is
destined for specic purpose only. Any use going beyond this specic purpose is re-
garded as beyond the determination. The manufacturer will not be liable for damages
resulting from any use beyond the determination, unallowed operation, respectively.
The user alone bears the risk.
•Do not make arbitrary changes or modications to the machine. The manufacturer will
not be liable for modications made at the machine on your own and damages result-
ing thereof. EC declaration of conformity and the mark CE will be invalidated, if you
make changes at the machine or at the individual components.
• Do not override or bypass electrical or mechanical interlock devices.
• The machine is to be used only by authorized and instructed persons. The responsibil-
ities on operating the machine have to be strictly laid down and observed so that there
are no unclear competencies regarding safety aspects.
• Vent holes serve for air circulation to protect the machine from overheating. Make sure
that the holes are not covered.
•Do not expose ngers or other parts of the body to moving, rotating or cutting devices
such as for instance between upper and lower trimmer knives.
• Always locate the equipment on a solid support surface with adequate strength tor the
weight of the machine.
Continued on next page...

NOTE:
• The operator manual always has to be available at the place of use of the machine.
• In the interest of technical development the company reserves the right to make
alterations to specications without prior notice!
CAUTION:
• The machine and its peripherals must be installed and maintained by a customer service
representative who has completed the training course on those models.
• Always follow all warnings marked on, or supplied with, the equipment.
• When you disconnect the power plug from the wall outlet, always pull the plug (not the cable).
• Disconnect the power cord before you move the machine. While moving the machine, always
exercise care and make sure that the power cord will not be damaged under the machine.
• Always contact service if relocating the equipment.
• Do not move the machine while the machine is running.
• Do not open covers while the machine is running.
•Do not switch o the power while the machine is running. Make sure the machine cycle has
ended.
• Lay the power cord in a way that nobody will stumble over it. Do not place things on the cord.
•Never attempt any maintenance function that is not specically described in this
documentation.
•Always keep magnets and all devices with strong magnetic elds away from the machine.
• If the place of installation is air-conditioned or heated, do not place the machine where it will be:
• Subject to sudden temperature changes.
• Directly exposed to cool air from an air-conditioner.
• Directly exposed to heat from a heater.
• If the machine is not used over an extended period of time it should be unplugged to prevent
damage in the case of overload.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
What You Can Do With This Machine .................................................. 9
Guide To Components ..................................................................................................... 10
Atlas C350.................................................................................................................................. 10
Feeder Module............................................................................................................................ 11
Folding Module.......................................................................................................................... 12
User Interface ............................................................................................................................. 13
1. Basics............................................................................................... 17
Paper.................................................................................................................................. 17
Paper Guidelines ........................................................................................................................ 17
Creasing ............................................................................................................................ 18
About the Crease........................................................................................................................ 18
Choose the Correct Creasing Blade Set .................................................................................... 19
Replacing Creasing Blade Set .................................................................................................. 20
Adjusting Crease Depth.............................................................................................................. 24
Choose the Correct Blade Set (optional) .................................................................................... 25
Replacing Blade Sets (optional) ................................................................................................. 26
Adjusting Crease Blade Depth (optional).................................................................................... 29
Setting Crease Tilt Knob ............................................................................................................. 30
Perforation ........................................................................................................................ 32
About Perforation........................................................................................................................ 32
Rotary Perforation............................................................................................................ 33
Rotary Perforation....................................................................................................................... 33
Cross Perforation ............................................................................................................. 38
Blade removal / replacement ...................................................................................................... 38
Anvil strip removal / replacement................................................................................................ 41
Perforation depth adjustment procedure .................................................................................... 43
Folding............................................................................................................................... 44
About the Fold ............................................................................................................................ 44
Deects.............................................................................................................................. 45
About Deects ............................................................................................................................ 45
2. Setting Up a Job .............................................................................. 47
Getting Started.................................................................................................................. 47
Job Preparation ................................................................................................................ 48
Paper stack preparation.............................................................................................................. 48
Measuring the paper curl ............................................................................................................ 50
Loading Paper ............................................................................................................................ 51
Feeder Table Extension (optional) .............................................................................................. 52
Stacker Settings ............................................................................................................... 53
Stacker Settings Menu ............................................................................................................... 53
Folding Stacker Settings ............................................................................................................ 54
Fold-O󰀨 Stacker Settings ........................................................................................................... 55
Belt Stacker Module (optional).................................................................................................... 56
Continued on next page...

The Home Screen ............................................................................................................. 58
Overview..................................................................................................................................... 58
Paper Size .................................................................................................................................. 59
Pre-set Patterns.......................................................................................................................... 61
Custom Job................................................................................................................................. 63
Roller Gap Adjustment................................................................................................................ 64
Atlas C350 Quick Reference Sheet............................................................................................. 65
Saving and Loading Jobs ........................................................................................................... 66
Counters ..................................................................................................................................... 67
The Tools Screen.............................................................................................................. 68
Overview..................................................................................................................................... 68
Feeder Settings .......................................................................................................................... 69
Clear Jams.................................................................................................................................. 70
Change Crease Blades............................................................................................................... 71
3. Troubleshooting .............................................................................. 73
General .............................................................................................................................. 73
Misfeeds / Jams.......................................................................................................................... 73
Misfeed / Jam in the Feeder ....................................................................................................... 73
Misfeed / Jam in the Folder ........................................................................................................ 73
Fault Codes....................................................................................................................... 74
List of Fault Codes...................................................................................................................... 74
Accuracy Checks.............................................................................................................. 80
Alignment Calibration Check ...................................................................................................... 80
Separation Pad Check................................................................................................................ 82
Creaser Calibration Check.......................................................................................................... 83
Fold Calibration Check ............................................................................................................... 84
4. Remarks ........................................................................................... 87
Do's and Don'ts ................................................................................................................ 87
Where to Put Your Machine ............................................................................................. 88
Machine Enviroment ................................................................................................................... 88
Power Connection ...................................................................................................................... 88
Access to Machine...................................................................................................................... 89
Recommended Weekly Operator Maintenance.......................................................................... 90
Limitations of the Atlas C350........................................................................................... 92
5. Specications .................................................................................. 93
Machine Specication...................................................................................................... 93
General ....................................................................................................................................... 93
Physical characteristics .............................................................................................................. 93
Paper handling............................................................................................................................ 94

9
What You Can Do With This Machine
The Atlas C350 is a heavy-duty automatic creasing and folding system designed to
complement mid to high volume digital and offset production presses.
The Atlas C350 has the capability to handle the new long formats that the print engines
now can produce. It can also be equipped with dual creasing blades allowing up and down
creasing in asingle pass. The Atlas C350 is built with the easy open design suction
feeder, that handles sizes from 210 – 1300mm (8.3” – 51.2”) in length.
As the Atlas C350 creases and folds in one non-stop pass,the precision of fold and
crease placements are extremely accurate. Applications such as 6-panel brochures
become an easy task even for 8.5”x11” landscape finished formats.
The Atlas C350 comes standard with the patented Creasing Blade installed. This blade
allows for creasing without stopping the sheet,giving a top speed of up to 6,000 sph with
one crease and fold on an 8½”x11” sheet.

10
Guide To Components
Atlas C350
1. Outfeed conveyor
2. Crease skew adjustment
3. Top cover
4. Registration area
5. Vacuum belts (underneath)
6. Paper guide tongues
7. Infeed alignment wall
8. Infeed table
9. Crease only delivery
10.Storage shelves
11. User interface (UI)
12.Feeder skew adjustment wheel
13.Magnetic paper guides
14.Storage shelf
15.Power inlet and fuse
16.Paper table extension (optional)
1 32 54
8
76
91110 1312 1514 16

11
Feeder Module
1. User interface (UI)
2. USB port for software updates
3. Front separation fan
4. Paper separation pads
5. Vacuum belts
6. Paper guide tongues
7. Side oat fan
8. Maximum paper stack height for sheets
shorter than 700 mm (27.6”)
9. Maximum paper stack height for sheets
longer than 700 mm (27.6”)
10.Paper stack height sensor Q4
11. Separated paper (SP) sensor Q12
12.Feeder skew adjustment wheel
13.Feeder skew adjustment locking knob
14.Registration (alignment) belts
15.Ultrasonic double sheet detector (US
DSD) Q10
1213 1011 9
21 43 65 87
146 515 10
NOTE: Covers removed for clarity.

12
Folding Module
21
4
3 65 87
1. Crease skew adjustment
2. Rotary tool carrier
3. Dynamic Crease unit
4. Dynamic Crease pressure lock
5. Dynamic Crease pressure adjustment
6. Paper path – can be replaced with an optional static creaser
7. Input rollers
8. Input sensor

13
User Interface
The Atlas C350 has a User Interface (UI) which allows for setting up jobs and viewing /
modifying machine settings and properties. Detailed descriptions of each menu and
sub-menu are found in Section 2 of this Operator Manual.
NOTE:
Depending on modules and features installed, the screen may look dierent from what
you see here. Some functions may be greyed out or not visible at all and remaining
buttons will stretch to t the screen. This manual will most often show a fully congured
system.
The control panel is a touchscreen. Point at the screen and press the “button” to reach
the desired function or change the desired setting.
The Home screen displays paper and job parameters. The operator can start, edit, pause
or abort the job from this screen.
To get started:
1. Load paper on the infeed table and choose the correct paper size by clicking the
Media button from the top menu.
2. Choose the desired pre-set by clicking the Pattern button on the Home screen.
3. Press the Play button to start the machine cycle.

14
Tools and Accessories
The following tools and accessories are included with the Atlas C350
Part number Description
601-167 Digital thickness gauge
1-99-12 28T rotary perforation blade (7 TPI)
1-99-35 Rotary perforation / slitting anvil
142-115551 Multi-purpose wrench
601-185 Sensor cleaning brush
601-118 Roller cleaning brush

15
Optional Parts
Several upgrades and optional tools are available to increase the performance of
your Atlas C350. Please contact your Dealer for additional information and pricing.
The Atlas C350 is supplied with a single Dynamic Creasing unit. A static creaser can be
fitted to this machine. This enables up/down creasing in a single pass and (with the cross-
perforation kit) creasing and cross-perforation in a single pass.
Rotary tools allow the Atlas C350 to perforate, slit or score work in the process direction.
This machine is supplied with a rotary tool carrier and a single rotary perforation blade (28
teeth, 7 teeth per inch (TPI)). Additional rotary blades as well as scorers are available for
purchase.
Part number Description
Upgrade kits:
AC-150-10 Additional Static Creaser Assembly
Dynamic Crease Blade kits:
AC-150-60 Dynamic Crease Blade (first station, 1.2 mm)
AC-150-70 Dynamic Narrow Crease Blade (first station, 1.0 mm)
AC-150-80 Dynamic Extra Narrow Crease Blade (first station, 0.7 mm)
Blade kits:
AC-150-20 Static Crease Blade Kit (second station, 1.2 mm)
AC-150-30 Narrow Static Crease Blade Kit (second station, 1.0 mm)
AC-150-40 Extra Narrow Static Crease Blade Kit (second station, 0.7 mm)
AC-150-50 Full Cross-perforation Kit
Rotary tools:
AC-75 20T Rotary Perforation Blade (5 TPI)
AC-76 28T Rotary Perforation Blade (7 TPI)
AC-80 Rotary Slitting Blade Set (top and botom)
AC-77 56T Rotary Perforation Blade (14 TPI)
AC-78 96T Rotary Perforation Blade (24 TPI)
AF-20 Light Scoring Wheel
AF-30 Heavy Scoring Wheel

16
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17
Paper
Paper Guidelines
Paper comes in many different makes, types and finishes. There are many ways to print
on the paper and then protect that printed image. The grain direction, fiber structure, sub-
strate thickness, porosity, coating type, bond strength of the coating, water content, relative
humidity and many other things can a󰀨ect how the paper will behave when you crease and
fold it. We recommend that you learn to identify these di󰀨erences. Be prepared to make
small adjustments to the machine to stop any problems that they might cause.
Guidelines:
• Always make sure that the sheets of paper you use are cut square. This machine is
designed to crease the paper at right-angles. It cannot do this if the paper edges are
not cut at 90° angles to each other.
• Always make sure that all of the paper for a job is cut the same. This machine uses the
sheet length that you set to automatically set the crease positions on a document. The
document will not be accurate if the paper length is not set correctly, or if the length of
the paper changes during a job.
1. Basics

18
1
Creasing
About the Crease
A crease stops the paper and printed image of a document from cracking when it is folded.
The crease is made when a sheet of paper is compressed between the two parts of a
mechanism known as a blade set. The blade set uses an ANVIL and a BLADE to form
the crease. A powerful motor operates the blade set so that it can put a large amount of
pressure on the paper. This pressure compresses the substrate and printed image, which
makes the paper thin and weak along the edges of the crease. This allows the paper to
fold accurately along the crease.
The Quick Release Blade Set (optional) can crease and or perforate (optional) sheets
accurately at a rate of 8,500 8.5x11" sheets per hour. After creasing, the finished products
are collected neatly on a stacking tray.
The Dynamic Crease Blade Set in this system does not need the paper transport system to
stop when it makes a crease, which allows this system to process up to 6,500 8.5x11"
sheets per hour.
NOTE:
When you crease and fold, the crease is
the most important process. The paper
will not fold accurately if the crease is not
made correctly, or if it is not made in the
correct position.

19
1
Choose the Correct Dynamic Crease Blade Set
This machine is supplied with a single standard crease blade set. Several optional blade
sets are available. Refer to the table below to see which type of blade set is most suitable
for your job.
Sheet Thickness Blade Set Crease Width
≥ 0.25 mm
(≥ 0.010”)
Standard (supplied with machine)
14200006
1.2 mm (0.051”)
≤ 0.25 mm
(≤ 0.010”)
Narrow (optional)
14200007
1.0 mm (0.039”)
≤ 0.15 mm
(≤ 0.010”)
Narrow (optional)
14200008
0.7 mm (0.028”)
The Standard blade set is designed to give a good crease on thick paper and thin card.
To do this, it makes a wide crease. A wide crease is necessary because it gives su󰀩cient
material at the spine of the fold.
The Narrow blade set is designed to give a good crease on medium and thin paper. To do
this it makes a narrower crease than the Standard blade set does. A narrower crease is
necessary because if there is too much material at the spine of the fold, the fold might not
be accurate or square.
Always make sure you have the correct blade set installed before starting a job. When
running into creasing or folding problems, try a di󰀨erent blade set. This can help solve the
problem, even if it is not the usual blade set that is recommended.

20
1
Replacing the Dynamic Crease Blade Set
This machine is supplied with a single Standard crease blade set. The blade set can be
rotated to produce up or down facing creases without ipping the stack of paper.
NOTE:
Optional blade sets to produce narrower crease are available.
To ip the crease blade set or replace it with another set:
1. From the touchscreen interface choose Tools -> Change Crease Blades.
2. Select Move tools to home position.
3. Open the top cover.
Continued on next page...