Ledco Premier 4 Operation Manual

READ ALL PRECAUTIONS & INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

BEFORE OPERATING LAMINATOR

Setup

Instruction

Operation

Lamination

Maintenance

Premier 4

Laminator

Operation Manual

Version 3.0

2013

IMPORTANT: Don’t laminate one-of-a-kind documents unless you are sure of your
laminating skills and can afford to damage or ruin the document.

Don’t laminate valuable items such as stamps, baseball cards, autographs, or other
collectibles because the value of such items can be destroyed by lamination. Collectors
generally value these kinds of items only in their original state.

Remember that you cannot laminate thermal paper because it is activated by heat and will
turn black. Also, remove paper clips and staples because they can damage the rubber
rollers. Be careful about laminating anything that will be affected by heat. For example, the
colors in crayon drawings may run together or be smeared, especially if the crayon layer is
heavy. Light crayon drawings may not be affected, but test an expendable sample of any
item that may not laminate well.

IMPORTANT: Éviter de plastifier du papier thermosensible pusqu’ll noircira sous l’effet de la
chaleur, et enlever les trombones et les agrafes gul risquent d’endommager les rouleaux de
caoutchouc. Prendre certaines précautions avant de plastifier des articles susceptibles de
réagir à la chaleur comme les dessins au pastel dont les couleurs baver et se mélanger,
surtout si la couche de pastel est épaisse. Les pastels en couche mince peuvent ne pas
réagir, mais, en cas de doute, il est préférable de faire un essai avec un échantillon perdu.

Ne pas plastifier les documents importants dont il n’existe qu’un seul exemplaire, à moins de
bien malitriser la technique de plastification.

Ne pas plastifier non plus les articles de collection comme les trimbres, les cartes de
baseball, les autographes ou autres, qui peuvent perdre leur valeur pour les collectionneurs
s’ils ne sont plus dans leur état d’origine.

IMPORTANTE: Recuerde que no puede laminar papel térmico ya que es activado por el
calor y se tornará negro. Retire también cualquier sujeta-papeles o grapa, puesto que
pueden danar los rodillos de goma. Evite laminar cosas sensibles al calor, por ejemplo, los
colores de dibujos hechos en lápiz de pastel pueden no ser afectados, pero ensaye con
alguna muestra descartable, en los ìtemes que podrían no laminarse bien.

No lamine ningún documento único, a no ser que esté muy seguro de sus habilidades de
laminador y pueda permitirse arruinar el documento.

No lamine artículos de valor, como estampillas, tarjetas de béisbol, autógrafos, u otros
coleccionables, ya que su valor puede ser destruido por la laminación. En general, las
coleccionistas valoran este tipo de artículo en su estado original.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION

1-1 Introduction

1-2 Features and benefits
1-3 Options
1-4 Specifications

1-5 Principles of operation
1-6 Laminating film
1-7 Warranty

2 UNPACKING AND INVENTORY

3 PRODUCT ILLUSTRATIONS & NAMES OF PARTS

4 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

5 SETUP & OPERATION

5-1 Unpacking and setup

5-2 Threading the laminator

5-3 Film threading diagram

5-4 Laminating

5-5 Recommended temperature settings
5-6 Preventing and solving problems

6 INSTALLING AND USING OPTIONS

Footage counter

Roll feed attachment

7 MAINTENANCE

7-1 General cleaning

7-2 Cleaning the heat shoes
7-3 Cleaning the rubber rollers
7-4 Lubrication
7-5 Glossary of symbols

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Glossary Of Symbols Part No

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Hand Crush/Force from Above Lab35

General Danger Lab52

Arm Entanglement Lab51

Cutting of Fingers or Hand/Straight Blade Lab54

Hand Entanglement/Chain Drive Lab36

6.

7.

8.

9. International Ground Lab79

International Hot Warning Lab100

Electrical Hazard Lab 43

CE European Electrical Lab06

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1-1 INTRODUCTION

This laminator is designed to provide quality lamination for a wide range of papers and
materials up to 1/8-inch thick using film up to 10 mils thick. Common applications include
maps, digital images, packaging, posters, instructional aids, signs, presentation materials,
photographs, copies (B&W or color), prints, flyers, promotional sheets, and many other items.
Options include a footage counter and a roll feed.

To assure the best performance from your new laminator, please follow the safety,
installation, operation, and maintenance instructions in this manual. Read the manual before
using the laminator, keep the manual with the machine, and periodically review the
instructions. The manual also contains warranty and parts information.

The international “HOT” warning symbol is placed on the appropriate areas of each
laminator.

Le symbole international de mise en garde “CHALEUR EXTREME” sera apposé aux
endroits appropries des machines a plastifier thermiques.

El simbolo internacional de advertencia “CALIENTE” serà fijado en los lugares
apropriados, en el plastificador.

Thank you for selecting the LEDCO Premier 4 laminator. We are committed to your
satisfaction with our products.

As you unpack your new laminator, please complete the following information. Always have
this information ready when calling.

Purchased From _________________________________________________________

Installation Date _______________ Serial # ________________ (back of the laminator)

• WARNING: High temperatures are present and care should be exercised in

operating the laminator. The laminator should not be operated without the
plexiglass safety shield in place.

• MISE EN GARDE: La machine à plastifier produit beaucoup de chaleur et on doit

l’utiliser avec prudence. Ne pas utiliser la machine à plastifier sans son écran
protecteur en plexiglass.

• ADVERTENCIA: El plastificador produce temperaturas muy altas; tenga cuidado al

utilizaro. No utilice el plastificado sin tener el protector de plexiglass en su lugar.

LEDCO, Inc. Phone [phone]
4265 N Main Street Fax [phone]

Hemlock, NY 14466 Web ledcoinc.com
Email [e-mail]

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1-2 FEATURES & BENEFITS

Your new laminator has several standard features that set it apart from other models.

•••• Variable speed The laminator operates at any speed up to 7 feet per minute. Thicker

films are generally applied better at mid-range to lower speeds, while 1.5-mil film should
be applied at mid-range to higher speeds.

•••• LCD temperature display makes it easy to set and maintain the correct temperature.

The indicator light inside the heat switch comes on as the machine warms up. When set
temperature is reached, the indicator light turns off.

•••• Simple controls Conveniently placed switches provide a compact, reliable control pad.

Icons and international symbols are used for controls and safety warnings.

•••• Slitters The slitters remove the side scrap from both sides of each sheet as it goes

through the laminator. This greatly reduces the amount of time required for trimming.

•••• Easy threading Since threading can be the most difficult task in using a laminator, the

Premier 4 has built in threading aids. The top idler is guarded from the top heat shoe for
safety and easy threading. The bottom idler is attached to the feed tray. Once the upper
and lower webs of film have been run through the machine, bottom idler threading is
automatic when the operator puts the feed tray on the machine.

•••• Forced air-cooling allows laminating with thicker films. Without a cooling system,

thicker films will warp or ripple because they are still too hot when they come out the back
of the laminator. The three fans in the 25-inch Premier 4 provide a more effective cooling
system than any other machine in its class.

•••• Ease of cleaning The silicone rubber rollers and the Teflon-coated heat shoes on the

laminator should be cleaned regularly.

•••• Attached safety shield The polycarbonate shield is clear so operators can see their

work. It does not conduct heat, providing protection from hot areas, and it’s fixed to the
machine so operators will naturally put it in the guard position before laminating.

•••• Lamination pressure The rubber rollers are spring-loaded and preset to ensure correct

and even lamination pressure. The pressure is easy to adjust if required when performing
routine maintenance.

•••• Supply roll tension controls Supply roll tension is easy to adjust by simply tightening or

loosening the tension control knobs on the supply roll mandrels.

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•••• Resettable fuse The machine can be reset using the push button fuse reset located in

the back of the machine above the plug receptacle. (See Section 3, Product Illustrations
and Names of Parts.)

•••• Ease of maintenance The Premier 4 is made to last; however, some items on a

laminator do wear out. Even the high-quality silicone rubber used in the rollers will lose
flexibility over time. Extensive use may wear out the rollers, or an operator may
accidentally cut a roller. Rollers and other key parts can be changed quickly without
disassembling the frame.

•••• Reverse can be invaluable at times to help avoid problems or clear misfeeds.

•••• Right and left adjustable feed guides help to feed the graphics into the rollers in a

consistent manner.

•••• Silicone rubber laminating rollers are flexible enough to provide a good edge seal and

firm enough to offer a good surface seal. A high silicone content insures a much longer
average roller life.

•••• Very strong steel cores prevent roller flexing and insure uniform pressure across the

width of the laminate, giving you the best quality lamination available in a medium-duty
commercial machine.

•••• Zippy safety cutter is shipped with the laminator to allow quick and easy cutting and

trimming of the lamination web.

•••• Controls to open and close the laminating rollers make threading easier and allow

even heating of laminating rollers during warm-up.

•••• Removable power cord prevents unauthorized usage without locking away the whole

machine.

•••• Proudly made in the USA

•••• ETL and CE approved for use in USA and Canada (220v version)

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1-3 OPTIONS

Although the Premier 4 was designed to include all of the standard features mentioned
above, there are options available to make the Premier 4 even more versatile.

•••• Resettable footage counter measures film usage in feet; also available in a metric

version.

•••• Roll feed tray It is difficult to hand feed a long item such as a banner it into the laminator

perfectly straiight. When the banner is rolled onto an empty film core and put onto the roll
feed assembly, laminating the longest item becomes relatively easy. The roll feed is
especially helpful for posters, banners, and other long items.

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1-4 SPECIFICATIONS*

Laminating width up to 25”

Speed up to 7 feet per minute (fpm)

Laminating rolerl diameter 1.25”

Maximum film thickness 10 mils

Maximum film roll diameter 5.5”

Maximum laminating thickness 1/8"

Dimensions 32L x 11H x 14W

Shipping dimensions 34L x 16H x 18W

Weight / shipping weight 75 lbs/84 lbs.

Electrical – 110v version 110-125v, 15 amps
1300w, 50/60 Hz

Electrical – 220v version 208-240v, 6.5 amps
1300w, 50/60 Hz

Film roll core size 1”

Maximum 1.5-mil film capacity 1000 ft.

Maximum 3-mil film capacity 500 ft.

Fusing Drive motor .75 amp
Heat system 1.5 amp

* Specifications are subject to change without notice

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1-5 PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

The laminator operates by pulling film with a thermally activated adhesive over a heat source
and into a set of laminating rollers. Film from a supply roll passes over heat shoes to activate
a polyethylene adhesive layer on the film. It then passes through rubber rollers to apply
pressure and bond the film to the item being laminated. The film's adhesive is pressed into
the ink and fibers on the surface of the paper.

The strength of the lamination bond can be checked by cutting a large “X” on the surface of a
laminated sample with a sharp blade. Use the tip of the blade to pry up one corner of the “X”.
Grab that corner and pull up the film. Ink and/or paper fibers coming up with the layer of film
indicates a good adhesive bond.

If the film comes up too easily, with no ink or paper, the lamination was probably done at too
low a temperature. Check the instructions that may have come with your laminating film
and/or the lamination temperature chart in section 5-5.

Please note that when doing an X-test on glossy (coated) paper, a good X-test will pull up ink
only. The film should not come up easily. When laminating material that is not glossy
(uncoated), the paper is often more fibrous, and a good X-test will yield ink and paper fibers
coming up with the film.

1-6 LAMINATING FILM

Most thermal laminating film consists of two layers: a base of polyester and an adhesive layer
of polyethylene. The polyester layer forms the harder outer surface of the film and does not
melt at laminating temperature. It provides rigidity and protection for your laminated items.
The greater the polyester content, the higher the level of protection, rigidity and luster. The
polyethylene layer melts at laminating temperature and bonds the film to the subject material
under the pressure of the laminating rollers. As an X-test demonstrates, the adhesive is
pressed into the paper and fills irregularities in the surface.

The proportion of polyester and polyethylene in a film is usually described with numbers. For
example, a “1-2” film consists of one mil of polyester and two mils of polyethylene. The first
number refers to the base layer. The second number refers to the adhesive layer. A mil is
1/1000 of an inch.

Since polyester is the more costly of the two types of plastic generally used in laminating film,
a “3-2” film will cost more than a “2-3” film. Both are 5-mil films but the “3-2” version will
seem a little thicker on a piece of laminated material because it will be slightly stiffer.
Thermal laminating films are available in many different base/adhesive combinations. Five­mil film, for example, can be found in 1-4, 2-3, 3-2, and 4-1 combinations.

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In the US laminating trade, the generally accepted practice is to describe two-sided
lamination, or encapsulation, by the thickness of one layer of film. For example, “3-mil
lamination” generally means lamination with two layers of 3-mil film. If you are buying or
selling laminating film or lamination services, please make sure both parties understand the
film descriptions being used.

There is a large variety of thermal laminating films available to suit many different kinds of
applications. Some of the more commonly used “special” film types or film additives are:

•••• film with low-melt adhesives, also known as co-polymer films; these often have better

clarity and are less likely to curl or ripple

•••• matte films to eliminate glare or to accept printing or writing; many suppliers offer films

with both glossy and matte (non-glare) finishes

•••• film with UV inhibitors to protect colors in the laminated material from fading in sunlight

•••• thermal film incorporating a pressure-sensitive adhesive and a release liner on its outer

side to permit, for example, a poster with this material laminated on the back to be
mounted easily without fasteners or tape

•••• high clarity films, some of which include a protective liner on the top outer surface, which

is removed by the recipient to reveal a surface perfectly free of dust, scratches, or
abrasion.

•••• opaque or colored films for the back side of a lamination to form a border on a laminated

piece.

•••• iridescent clear films for special visual effects

•••• permanently waterproof films for outdoor, underwater, or special applications. The most

common thermal laminating films are made with water-based primers and will eventually
delaminate if continually exposed to water or weather; truly waterproof films are made
with special primers.

Rolls of film may be purchased in different widths. The size of the laminator is the only
limitation to the width of the film rolls you can use. The Premier 4 can use 4-,12-,18-, or 25­inch rolls. Make sure the upper and lower roll widths are the same and are aligned with each
other.

Film rolls are also produced in various lengths (250', 500', 1000'). The Premier 4 will easily
accommodate film rolls up to a 5-1/2" diameter.

When installing film, always center the rolls of film on the supply roll mandrels so the core
grippers engage the cardboard core. Look for the score marks around the supply roll
mandrels to aid in aligning the top and bottom rolls.

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We recommend 3-mil film for most common applications, including posters, signs or
instructional aids. The 3-mil film provides better protection, more rigidity, and a more lustrous
appearance than 1.5-mil film. Five-mil or 10-mil film is suggested for those applications that
need the most protection and rigidity.

Lamination with 1.5-mil film can sometimes present problems because the film is so thin it
loses heat easily. It sounds backwards, but 1.5-mil film has to be run at a higher temperature
than a 3-mil film with the same adhesive. The higher temperature compensates for the faster
rate of heat loss during lamination. A standard 3-mil film is applied at approximately 240° F,
while a standard 1.5-mil film must be applied at around 260° F. Even when applied at 280° F,
a 1.5-mil film is still more likely to delaminate later.

If the item being laminated is fairly thick, it will pull heat from the film. This will lower the
temperature of the 1.5-mil film and prevent it from sticking properly. When laminating thick
items with standard 1.5-mil film, it may be necessary to raise the temperature to 280° F or
300° F. Do not use any higher temperature for any film than is needed to get an acceptable
degree of adhesion, as measured by an X-test. Remember there are low-temperature films
that should run at much lower temperatures than those cited in this example. (See Section
5-5, Recommended Temperature Settings.)

Rolls of film are sometimes spliced. Most film suppliers will mark a splice with colored tape.
This way, you can see the splice as a “dash” of color on either end of the roll. If you spot a
spliced roll in advance, you can put it on the top supply roll mandrel in order to see the splice
coming more easily and avoid putting material under the splice. Alternatively, you could put it
on the bottom roll if you plan to be laminating items that will never be seen from the back
side.

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1-7 WARRANTY

This laminator is guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship for a period of two
years after date of shipment. Defective parts will be replaced without cost within the

warranty period, provided the laminator has not been abused, altered, or operated contrary to
instructions. Our warranty does not cover user errors
any alterations or repairs except those made with its written consent; or for any problems,
damage, or injury resulting from unauthorized alternation or repair.

This obligation under warranty shall not extend to the following:

•••• The adjustment or replacement of parts which are the normal responsibility of the owner.

For example, fuses, rubber rollers, heat shoe coatings, scratched or chipped paint, loose
fasteners (screws, nuts, etc.), or other items that show wear under normal use; i.e.
“normal wear parts.”

•••• Clearing or replacing rollers due to “wraparounds” as this is caused by improper loading

and/or operator error.

•••• Normal operating adjustments to heat, speed, tension, etc.

•••• Parts that are not manufactured by LEDCO, Inc. If the individual manufacturer warrants

these items, their warranty is, in turn, passed on to the original purchaser of the laminator.
LEDCO, Inc. does not incur any obligation or liability as a result of the warranties that are
the sole responsibility of the appropriate individual manufacturer.

Any laminator that proves defective during the warranty period may be returned to LEDCO,
Inc. unless it is decided that the necessary repairs can be made during a service call. Notice
of the defect must be submitted in writing or by phone to LEDCO before any steps are taken
to repair or return the machine. Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Note: Customers who return machines to LEDCO or receive field service on machines
that are found to be operating improperly due to user error or use of inferior film will
incur service and/or shipping charges. Please call for assistance first!!

If the machine is returned, the following must accompany it.

•••• Customer name, address and phone number

•••• Written particulars regarding the malfunction

•••• Date of installation

•••• Serial number of the machine.

••••

All returns must include a return authorization number provided by LEDCO, Inc.

on the outside of the shipping container. Send all returned equipment freight

PREPAID to:

LEDCO, Inc., 4265 North Main Street, Hemlock, NY 14466

Tel: [phone] •••• Fax: [phone] •••• email: [e-mail]

If your machine needs servicing after the warranty has expired, please contact your dealer.
LEDCO, Inc. offers technical support if your dealer is unable to assist.

. LEDCO, Inc. shall not be liable for

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