Three Types of Paper Folding Machines

A folding machine is a machine used primarily for the folding of paper. Paper can be folded with either a buckle or a knife; thus, there are generally three types of folding machines: buckle folders, knife folders or a combination of these two types. Whilst buckle folding is the more popular of the two methods, knife folding is sometimes preferable. Folding machine models vary in sophistication, with high-end machines capable of processing more complex folding jobs and unusual paper forms (in terms of density and size). Organizations required to undertake mass mail-out campaigns often employ folding machines to improve efficiency.

T490/10H-F

Buckle Plate Paper Folding Machines

Buckle folders work by feeding the paper at high speeds until it can move no further; the reaction of the paper is to buckle. High friction rollers then grip the paper and push it through, folding the paper, which is squeezed between the rollers, in the process. Attached rubber provides the rollers with the required grip. The front edge of the paper is then finally placed into a "pocket"—a result of the rollers pressing together with the aid of a spring.

Knife Folding Machines

A knife folder works by striking the paper with a knife between two rollers. This knife is not sharp enough to cut through the paper and simply strikes and creases the paper along the line where the fold is required. Ideally, knife folding is used with thick paper, for "cross folds" (commonly employed for maps and also known as a "French fold") or if the paper has been stitched during the folding process; stitched sheets can ruin high friction rollers. Knife folding is commonly found on high end folding machinery but more recently has been employed in the short run digital print markets by incorporating this technology into Crease and Fold machinery. Digital stocks suffer from fibre cracking when folded and also tend to be heavier weight paper materials, as a result a traditional buckle paper folding machine is not sufficient to handle the stocks being produced. To solve this problem Crease and Fold machines incorporate both a crease matrix and a pair of knife folders and heavy duty rubber rollers to create the fold in stocks up to and exceeding 350gsm.

Creasing and Folding Machines

Often companies opt to just crease their digital print and either hand fold or send the materials out flat in order to save time and money. However, this method is not suitable for all applications as many high street retailers for instance will not accept greeting cards in a flat package, this is where creasing and folding in a single pass steps in.

Whilst is is easy to fold a sheet once it is creased it is not easy to fold 10,000, as a result high speed creasing and folding machines where created. The early examples where painfully slow and not really accurate enough to be considered a success, it was not until the mid 00's that these machines started to make sense as costs and reliability improved.