SEAL 54 EL User manual

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54 EL
Laminator
User manual
7002427, Rev. A
Septe ber 2010

Copyright © 2010 Neschen A ericas – All rights reserved.

1
English
Introduction
We would like to thank you for purchasing a Seal® 54 EL, designed to give you any years of reliable
service. By following the guidelines outlined in this anual for proper care and use, you can depend
on any years of trouble-free profitability fro your invest ent.
Your 54 EL la inator eets the CE Directives (2004/108/EC, and 2006/95/EEC) and is RoHS
co pliant. The la inator is also ETL listed for USA (UL 60950-1) and Canada (CSA C22.2 60950-1).
Statement of intended use.
The 54 EL la inator has been designed to be used with Seal® aterials. When used with these
products, you are able to ount and la inate. Your achine has not been tested with any other
aterials and is not reco end for use with products other than Seal® supplies.
WARNING:
THIS MACHINE IS ESIGNE FOR MOUNTING AN LAMINATING. ANY USE
OTHER THAN THE INTEN E MAY CAUSE AMAGE TO THE MACHINE OR
PHYSICAL HARM TO THE USER.
Liability Statement
The details given in this anual are based on the ost recent infor ation available to us. They ay
be subject to change in the future. We retain the right to ake changes to the construction or the
design of our products without accepting any responsibility for odifying earlier versions previously
delivered.
Standardized Symbols
Passages arked this way offer an idea / tip or other infor ation on the efficient use of
this unit.
WARNING:
PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO ALL PASSAGES MARKE THIS WAY. THIS
INFORMATION IS VITAL TO PREVENTING USER INJURY AN / OR AMAGE TO
THE UNIT. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS INFORMATION COUL VOI THE USER’S
WARRANTIES AN TRANSFER ALL SAFETY OBLIGATIONS TO THE USER.

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Table of Contents
Introduction 1
1 Specifications 4
1.1 Technical Specifications 4
2 Safety / Important Safeguards 5
2.1 Safety symbols used on the equipment 5
2.2 Emergency Stop Buttons 5
3 Unpacking and Installation 6
3.1 Ambient Conditions 6
3.2 Surroundings 6
3.3 Power supply 6
3.4 Workspace Requirements 6
3.5 Unpacking the laminator 7
3.6 Setting up the laminator 8
3.7 Transport 9
4 Unit description 10
4.1 Control panel 11
4.2 Motor control 11
4.2.1 Slow-mode 12
4.2.2 Reversing the machine 12
4.2.3 Unwind brakes 13
4.2.4 Roller nip settings 13
4.2.5 Image guide storage place 13
5 Application Processes 14
5.1 Principle of a Process 14
5.2 Loading the machine 15
5.2.1 Removing an unwind shaft 15
5.2.2 Loading shaft with film rolls 15
5.2.3 Loading the unwind shaft into a machine 16
5.3 Webbing the films 16
5.3.1 Preset the tension 16
5.3.2 Single Sided Process Webbing 17
5.3.3 ouble Sided Process Webbing 18

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English
5.4 Processes and settings 19
5.4.1 General 19
5.4.2 Pre-coating panels 19
5.4.3 Mounting images or decals 20
5.4.4 Over-lamination 21
5.4.5 Single-sided lamination 21
5.4.6 ecaling 22
5.5 Unloading 22
6 Cleaning/maintenance 22
6.1 Cleaning the silicone covered rollers 23
6.2 Preventive maintenance 23
6.2.1 Auto-grip shafts 23
7 Troubleshooting 24
7.1 Troubleshooting Processes 24
7.2 Technical assistance 25
8 Glossary of Terms 26
9 Limited Warranty 27
10 Index 27

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1 SPECIFICATIONS
1.1 Technical Specifications
I perial Metric
Max. Working Width 54" axi u 1400 ax
Max. Speed 14 ft/ in 4.25 / in
Di ensions (HxWxD) 43.7"x60.3"x22" 1110x1530x560
Shipping di ensions (HxWxD) 54"x75"x25" 1372x1905x635
Weight
Net Weight 325 lbs 147 kg
Shipping Weight 440 lbs 200 kg
Maxi u roll dia eter
Unwind 8" 200
Take-up 6" 150
Maxi u roll weight
Unwind 85 lbs 38.5 kg
Take-up 35 lbs 15.9 kg
Roller Opening (Min. – Max.) 0 – 1" 0 – 25
Roller Pressure 3 lb/in 0.53 N/ .
Electrical Specifications
US/Canada 115 VAC, 50/60Hz, 1A, 115W - NEMA 5-15 Plug
Europe 230 VAC, 50/60Hz, 0.5A, 115W - BS1363 Plug or
Continental Europe Plug (Schuko style)
Roller Construction Two silicone covered, steel rollers.
* Specifications ay change without notice.

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2 SAFETY / IMPORTANT SAFEGUAR S
2.1 Safety symbols used on the equipment
ROTATING PARTS
MECHANICAL HAZAR . FAILURE TO USE CAUTION NEAR EXPOSE ROLLERS
COUL RESULT IN PHYSICAL INJURY. BE CAREFUL THAT ITEMS SUCH AS
LOOSE CLOTHING, LONG HAIR AN JEWELRY O NOT BECOME ENTANGLE
IN ROTATING PARTS.
ES WARNING
USE CAUTION NEAR ROLLERS. POSSIBILITY OF SHOCK BY ES WITH SOME
MATERIALS. PLEASE USE PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT ES BUIL UP BY
PROPER MACHINE GROUN ING, MAINTAINING PROPER ROOM HUMI ITY AN
USING OTHER ANTI-STATIC MEASURES.
Figure 1
2.2 Emergency Stop Buttons
There are two buttons. They are located on the top of the left and right hand cabinets. The buttons are
red with a yellow, circular background. The E ergency stop buttons shut down the rotation of the
rollers and should only be used in case of an e ergency. Once pressed, these buttons lock, and they
ust be rotated to be reset before the achine can be used again.
EMERGENCY
STOP BUTTONS

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3 UNPACKING AN INSTALLATION
Please read and fully understand the entire anual before proceeding to use your la inator.
3.1 Ambient Conditions
The following environ ental conditions are ideal for the best operation of the la inator.
Ambient Temperature
The best te perature for the 54 EL is between 16°C and 35°C (50°F and 95°F).
Do not expose the la inator to direct sunlight as output quality ay be affected.
Relative humidity
For best results, the a bient relative hu idity for the 54 EL should lie between 50% and 70%.
Water and moisture
If the la inator is installed in a da p roo or near water, the electrical power supply ust be in
accordance with the standards of the area.
3.2 Surroundings
Install the la inator in surroundings that are as clean and dust free as possible in order to obtain the
highest quality end product. The aterials that are used on this la inator can have an electrostatic
charge and will attract dust, adversely affecting the output.
3.3 Power supply
Connect the achine in accordance with the details given on the identification plate attached to the
rear of the achine. Refer also to the technical specifications in this section for ore infor ation.
3.4 Workspace Requirements
• This unit should be situated away fro heat sources such as heat registers or stoves.
• The la inator’s location or position should not interfere with its proper ventilation.
• There should be enough space around the la inator to feed-in, exit, and tri ounted and/or
la inated i ages.
• The background dust level ust not exceed that found in a typical office/co puter roo
environ ent.
• The work area should be level, flat, and well lit.

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3.5 Unpacking the laminator
1. Cut the bands holding the box to the pallet.
2. With two people, carefully lift the box straight up over the achine (See figure 2).
3. Re ove any loose packing aterial.
4. Re ove the ra p and packing around ra p.
5. Position ra p as shown in figure 3.
6. Re ove 4 hold down bolts.
7. Re ove 2 stabilizing blocks.
8. With 2 people, carefully push achine down ra p.
9. Re ove re aining packing aterial and unpack the Take-up Tube.
10. Inspect the achine for any physical da age.
Figure 2 Figure 3
Ra p
Hold
Down
Bolts
Stabilizing
Blocks
Hold
Down
Bolts

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3.6 Setting up the laminator
Your 54 EL should be setup at the place where it will be used. The area ust be a flat level surface.
The achine ust be installed next to a power outlet. The plug and the outlet ust be easily
accessible. Please ensure that you plug your la inator into a grounded outlet. The la inator should
only be connected to a power supply outlet able to safely supply the voltage and a perage arked
on the ratings label.
Note:
Make sure that the achine, in its final
location, has adequate space. You will
need roo to feed, receive and tri
i ages. See Figure 4.
L = Maxi u board length,
S = Mini u space 60 c .(24").
Figure 4: Working Space
11. Move the achine to the designated working space.
12. Install I age Guide on table as shown in figure 5.
13. Install Take-up Tube onto right side first co pressing spring on the right side then inserting left
side onto drive (figure 5).
14. Plug the power cable into the grounded outlet with appropriate service.
Figure 5
I age
Guide
Take-up
Tube

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15. Secure achine in place by turning the adjustable foot down by hand, until it’s pressed against
the floor. Do not over tighten. Manually lock the adjustable foot with the nut (figure 6). Repeat
procedure to other side. The achine does not need to be leveled on ost floors.
Note: An uneven floor ay affect la ination quality. In the case of an uneven floor, please contact
custo er service for the achine leveling option.
WARNING:
MACHINE MUST BE SECURE TO THE FLOOR BEFORE USING.
Figure 6
WARNING:
MAKE SURE THE POWER SUPPLY CABLE AN /OR THE EXTENSION CABLE IS
NOT BLOCKING YOUR WAY AROUN THE MACHINE.
3.7 Transport
The achine can be transported on a s ooth surface on its casters.
CAUTION:
Turn the leveling feet up completely to prevent them from bending or breaking if
accidentally bumping into an obstacle.
When oving the achine on rough surfaces or over long distances, use the original pallet and
packing aterial and ove it with a pallet truck or forklift.
Nut

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4 UNIT ESCRIPTION
Features and benefits of the 54 EL:
Figure 7
Identification of parts
1 Wind-up tube Wind-up for the release-liner
2 E ergency stop buttons To stop achine in case of e ergency
3 I age guide To help start i ages
4 Upper unwind shaft The shaft is suitable for aterial with a 3-inch core
5 Unwind brake A si ple eans of setting the unwind tension
6 Control panel Controls rotation of the rolls and standby
7 Nip Hand Wheel To adjust the gap between the rollers
8 Lower unwind shaft The shaft is suitable for aterial with a 3-inch core
9 Foot switch Used to engage slow ode
10 Nip Height Gauge To show the height of the top roll (nip opening)
11 In-feed Table Flat surface to rest aterial to be worked on
The Ratings/Serial label is located on the rear side of the achine by the power inlet.
3
5
7
4
9
8
1
2
6
10
11

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4.1 Control panel
Figure 8
4.2 Motor control
The speed of the rollers is continuously adjustable between 0 and 4.25 / in (0 and 14 ft/ in).
Pressing the  button runs the rollers in forward direction, pressing and holding the  button reverses
the direction of the rollers. The stop key halts the roller ove ent. The speed can only be adjusted
when running in the forward direction without the foot switch.
WARNING:
CARE MUST BE TAKEN NOT TO HAVE LOOSE CLOTHING, LONG HAIR,
JEWELRY AN FINGERS PINCHE BETWEEN THE ROLLERS.
1 Forward LED Lit when drive runs forward
2 Forward Button Push button for forward
3 LED optical
safety syste
Lit when light bea is not
blocked
4 Stop Button Push button to stop drive
5 Reverse LED Lit when drive runs reverse
6 Reverse Button Push button and hold for
reverse
7 Speed
adjust ent knob
Adjust roller speed
8 Standby Button Toggle on/off (press 2
seconds)
9 Power LED Lit when achine is on
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

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4.2.1 Slow-mode
The achine has a slow- ode, which can be activated by pressing the foot switch. To aintain slow-
ode, keep the foot switch pressed. Slow- ode ust be used when the In-feed Table is in the upper
position. Slow ode is reco ended whenever running aterial with the I age Guide re oved.
WARNING:
IF RUNNING IN SLOW-MO E, INTERRUPTING THE PHOTO ELECTRIC EYES
OES NOT STOP THE MACHINE. IN SLOW-MO E, AN AU IBLE BEEP WILL BE
HEAR , AN THE ROLLER SPEE WILL BE ECREASE . RELEASING THE
FOOT SWITCH STOPS THE MACHINE.
To Change fro slow- ode to nor al run ode without stopping (to prevent a stop ark):
• During slow ode (keep the foot switch pressed), press the  (forward) button on the control
panel.
• Next, release the foot switch. The achine will run at the pre-set speed.
• Finally, release the  (forward) button.
To Change fro nor al run ode to slow- ode without stopping:
• Press the foot switch
Note: Releasing the foot switch will stop the achine.
4.2.2 Reversing the machine
WARNING:
KEEP CLEAR OF THE REAR SI E NIP WHEN RUNNING IN REVERSE MO E.
To reverse the rotation of the rollers, press the  (reverse) button. As long as the button is pressed,
the achine will run in reverse direction, at a speed of about 1 / in. Releasing the button will stop
the achine.
The rotation of the rollers will stop when:
• The photoelectric eyes in front of the ain rollers are interrupted.
Note: This does NOT happen when the foot switch is used (slow- ode).
• An e ergency stop button is pressed.
• The foot switch is pressed for a short o ent.
• Excessive unwind tensions are set (the otor will be shut off electronically and the forward LED
will blink, press the stop button on the control panel to reset).
• The stop button on the control panel is pressed.

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4.2.3 Unwind brakes
Tighten the unwind brake so that it applies sufficient tension to la inate. Turning the knurled brake
collar in a counter-clockwise direction increases the breaking tension applied on the la inate. Turning
the collar clockwise decreases the tension. The best setting for the brake tension is deter ined by the
aterials you are using and is learned through experience.
4.2.4 Roller nip settings
Whenever you ount onto a board, etc., it is i portant to adjust the rollers to create a gap nearly
equal to the thickness of the substrate being used. This is done so that anything passing between the
rollers will receive the right a ount of pressure to prevent da age to the substrate being ounted
(and possibly the rollers).
Turning the Nip Hand Wheel counterclockwise (CCW) lowers the top roller, and clockwise (CW)
raises the top roller.
How to set the nip:
Deter ine the thickness of the substrate that you will use for ounting. Pre-set the nip height by
turning Nip Hand Wheel CW until the nip height indicator is above the board thickness.
Insert the front edge of the substrate into the nip by hand. Lower the top roller by turning the Nip Hand
Wheel CCW until top roller contacts the substrate with enough pressure that the substrate cannot be
oved side to side. Use reverse button to re ove substrate fro nip if needed.
To run fil s, rotate the nip hand wheel CCW until the nip is fully closed then continue until the Nip
Hand Wheel turns freely.
4.2.5 Image guide storage place
When not in use, the I age Guide can be stored on the upper cross brace or alternately on the lower
cross brace(figure 9).
I age Guide
Upper Cross Brace
Figure 9

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5 APPLICATION PROCESSES
5.1 Principle of a Process
In all processes the aterials are fed through the nip fro the front side to be joined together by
pressure.
A process that akes axi u use of the achine is shown in Figure 10. Shown is a double sided
la inating (decaling) process.
The top coating fil is a pressure sensitive fil with release liner (3) taken fro a supply roll on the
(rear) upper unwind shaft (5). The botto coating fil is a pressure sensitive ( ounting) fil taken
fro a supply roll on the lower unwind shaft (7).
Figure 10: Creating a Decal.
The i age that has to be la inated is fed between the ain rollers (1) via the in-feed table (2).
When using a pressure sensitive la inate, it often has a release liner (3) that has to be re oved.
This release liner is rolled up onto the wind-up shaft (4) in the upper section.
A ounting fil has adhesive on both sides and release liner on just one side. This release liner has
to stay on until the i age is ounted.
The following steps outline the basic procedure that has to be used for loading aterials, webbing the
la inator and setting the brake tension for the aterials you will be using. To load and unload the
aterial shafts, it is necessary to access the achine fro the rear side.

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5.2 Loading the machine
Select the fil (s) that you will use on the top (and botto ) of the i ages. It is best practice to ake
sure that both la inate and edia are atched in size to prevent proble s when la inating. This
way the edia can be tri ed with a border, but waste is reduced.
Always work in the center of the achine.
Figure 11: nterlock up Figure 12: nterlock down
5.2.1 Removing an unwind shaft
• Re ove the desired supply shaft (top or botto ) by pushing the interlock bracket (1) to the up
position (Figure 11).
• Slide the autogrip shaft to the right against the spring pressure.
• Lift the leftside of the shaft away fro the la inator first then the right.
5.2.2 Loading shaft with film rolls
The fil roll is put on the shaft depending on the type of fil and the use in the upper or lower section
of the achine. In general, pressure sensitive fil with release liner (A) is rolled up with the liner (3)
and adhesive (2) to the outside of the fil (1), whereas fil without release liner (C) has its adhesive
layer to the inside of the fil . However, North A erican pressure sensitive fil s, in general, have the
release liner on the inside of the fil (B).
Figure 13: Film rolls.
• In the upper section, the adhesive (2) side in contact with the i age and the release liner (3) ust
be on the top when unwinding the fil to the front of the achine.
• In the lower section, the adhesive (2) side in contact with the i age ust be on the botto when
unwinding the fil to the front of the achine.
1

16
Figure 14: Film adhesives.
5.2.3 Loading the unwind shaft into a machine
• Set interlock bracket to up position and align right shaft holder as
shown in figure 15.
• Fir ly grasp unwind shaft placing hands up against the ends of
fil roll to keep the fil fro sliding on the shaft while loading.
• Place the shaft, including the aterial, into the la inator by
inserting it onto the right unwind shaft holder.
• Press against the spring pressure, until you can place the other
end of the shaft onto the left unwind shaft holder.
• Move the interlock bracket is to the down position (figure 12).
• Center the aterial roll in the la inator.
Figure 15: Unwind Load Position.
5.3 Webbing the films
The achine ust be webbed before la inating i ages. The achine can be webbed for single
sided or double sided processing. When ounting i ages, the achine is not webbed.
Note: In single sided processes adhesive residues will stay behind on the botto roller when the
fil is wider than the i ages. To prevent this, a release liner of the sa e width as the top fil can
be used in the botto section. The release liner can easily be re oved later on. Or use a fil of
the sa e width as the i age.
When processing panels, a leader panel (waste panel equal to the panel to be processed) is needed
to feed in the fil .
5.3.1 Preset the tension
To enable the fil to unwind without wrinkles tension (brake) can be set.
On the right-hand (control panel) side of the achine you will find a tension control ring on each shaft.
Turn the tension control ring counter-clockwise (top to rear) to set the tension or clockwise (top to
front) to release the tension.
When the fil is webbed, it is reco ended to set a low tension to each shaft by turning the ring
counter-clockwise until you feel so e resistance. The fil should be tight, but able to be pulled by
hand without too uch effort
Too uch unwind tension can lead to stress in the aterial and even cause wrinkling of the la inate.
A properly set up achine should run fil wrinkle free with ini u brake tension.

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CAUTION:
Never use an open blade near the rollers. Cutting or scoring the rollers will damage
the rollers and cause reduced performance resulting in low quality finished product.
5.3.2 Single Sided Process Webbing
Figure 16: Webbing upper section.
1. Pull the fil forward until approxi ately 10 c (4 in.) is on the in-feed table.
2. If the fil has a release liner (B):
• Install the Wind-up Tube on the achine.
• Peel back corner of release liner.
• Pull the release liner off la inate and stick it to the tube with tape.
An e pty card board tube fro a used roll of fil can be attached to the Wind-up tube to take
up the release liner. This allows the release liner to be easily re oved fro the Wind-up tube and
used for other processes if needed.
3. Raise table to full open position.
4. Raise top roll to full open position.
5. Fro the back of achine, pull fil though nip and stick to out-feed table. Ensure fil is flat
against top roll. Add ore unwind brake if necessary.
6. If using Lower Unwind Shaft to feed i ages or release liner:
• Insert aterial into nip aking sure it is laying flat on botto roll.
• Hold aterial in place with one hand.
• Lower top roll to full close (zero) position.
Note: Use a release liner on botto unwind or a carrier board when processing thin i ages.
7. Lower table to the full down position.

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8. If feeding cut sheet i ages:
• Place a scrap piece of paper into the nip equal to width of the la inate and about 30 c (12
in) long.
• Hold scrap piece in place with one hand.
• Lower top roll to full close (zero) position.
• Feed i ages over scrap piece or last i age tail.
When cutting sheet i ages, always leave enough scrap as to have so e aterial in the nip
while being able to cut off the la inated i age fro the back of the achine. The fil should never
co e in contact with the botto roll.
9. Pull off the fil fro the out-feed table (step 6) and fold down over botto of la ination to prevent
it fro sticking to the table again.
10. Use foot switch to start the process then switch to nor al run with the forward button when ready.
5.3.3 ouble Sided Process Webbing
Figure 17: Upper and lower section webbed.
The film in the upper section is webbed first
1. Pull the fil forward until it al ost reaches the in-feed table and lay it flat on the upper roller.
2. If the fil has a release liner (B):
• Install Wind-up Tube on achine.
• Peel back corner of release liner.
• Pull the release liner off la inate and stick it to the tube with tape.
An e pty card board tube fro a used roll of fil can be attached to the Wind-up tube to take
up the release liner. This allows the release liner to be easily re oved fro the Wind-up tube and
used for other processes if needed.