The two primary considerations when purchasing a laminating pouch are the size of your document and the degree of protection needed. In general a laminating pouch should be about ¼” larger than your document in width and length, so that the edge is 1/8″ long for proper sealing. The thickness of the film determines the amount of protection that the document will have and its final inflexibility. A film that measures between 1.5 and 3 mil offers maximum flexibility and provides protection against smudges and everyday wear and tear. 5 mil films prevent creasing and shredding of the document but will give more rigidity and less flexibility. The final category of 7 to 10 mil film will give the most protection and least flexibility. This is ideal for important documents that are handled daily and vulnerable to the most damage.  Laminating pouches are available in glossy or matt depending on the desired finish. Matte pouches however, are available in fewer sizes and thicknesses.

Glossy & Clear Thermal Lamination Pouches

Glossy/clear thermal lamination pouches are separated into three different categories, 1) standard size, 2) large, and 3) oversize pouches.

Standard Size
Standard size lamination pouches give a glasslike glossy appearance to your document. There are many options within this type of pouch. The options include business card, credit card, driver’s license, IBM/Data card, school card, jumbo, luggage tag (with or without slot), key card, military badge, postal card, circulation card or extra circulation card, index or file card, license plate, letter, legal, menu and the 4″ by 6″ card.

Each style of standard size glossy/clear thermal pouch is categorized by its size, thickness, and quantity in each box.

Large
The overall appearance of the large pouch is similar to the standard size pouch but is made with bigger measurements. They are sold in the following sizes:

• 6″ x 9″ (best for photos)
• 6.5″ x 12.5″ (for license plates)
• 9″ x 11.5″ (for letters)
• 9″ x 14.5″ (for legal papers)
• 11.25″ x 17.25″(one menu option)
• 11.5″ x 17.5″(second menu option)
• 12″ x 18″ (third menu option)

Oversize
These pouches have the same glossy glasslike appearance as the other two pouches. These measure from 19″ x 25″ to 43″ to 61″. At times certain sizes need to be ordered by the sales department because they are not in stock so call to check for availability.

Matte Pouches
These types of pouches are not glossy or glasslike. They are made to reduce glare and are given a frosted coarse appearance to achieve this. Because of their appearance and texture you can write on these with pen, pencil, or marker, while still receiving protection against smudges and smears. These can be used to laminate indoor items, as well as outdoor documents, that will be vulnerable to weather elements.

Unlike the glossy/clear thermal pouches, the selection of sizes is small. These pouches are offered in two sizes, and each size has the option of selecting either one matte finish side or a two-sided matte finish. The sizes are:

• 9″ x 11.5″
• 12″ x 18″

Another difference from the glossy/clear thermal pouches is that matte pouches are only made with a 5-mil thickness for the film.

Whatever your lamination needs, you are sure to find a lamination pouch to suit you! Make sure you accurately measure your documents and consider what it will be used for and how often it will be handled before purchasing pouches, and if you are unsure call for assistance.

They are great for classrooms as well. By using a whiteboard anyone can contribute to the discussion by drawing directly on the whiteboard. You can display DVD or movie files from your PC onto the whiteboard and no matter where a student is sitting they will be able to see. Many companies also create software specifically for primary and secondary educational settings, which include music, math, or sports templates. There is something for any class or teacher. So the real question isn’t why should you use a digital whiteboard, but which one is right for you?

There are two types of technology and two distinct formats that digital whiteboards use and it is important to know the differences in order to purchase the right one to meet your specific needs.

First, you need to know what technologies are used. In order to work correctly the software must be able to tell where you are touching the screen and there are two types of software to do this.

Electromagnetic Scanning Technology:
This requires the use of a special pen and the frame of the whiteboard detects where you have placed the pen. This type of software will usually include several pens, for multiple users or if you lose one. If the whiteboard screen is damaged you can simply replace the screen.  The Quartet IdeaShare Interactive Whiteboard is an example of an electromagnetic scanning whiteboard and comes with several pens and a stylus.

• Ideal for secondary schools, or students who are used to using pens.
• Businesses where employees primarily use pens may prefer this, as it is easier to use for everyone.

Resistive Technology:
This technology works because there are two little pieces of resistive material that have a small space between them to sense where a person is touching the screen. The coordinates of this touch are then sent to the computer monitor. You can order a GBC Quartet Q8000 Portable IdeaShare if you prefer finger touch technology.

• Finger touch is ideal for primary schools as children can use their hands to touch the screen. This increases their interaction and enthusiasm for learning.
• In hospitals or other medical offices, the finger touch may be preferred as it is easier to drag photos, diagrams, and slides.
• You do not need a special stylus to use this type of digital whiteboard, so the worry of losing the pen is obsolete and convenient for people who cannot carry a special stylus with them.

Some software companies produce both pen and finger whiteboards so a school can have both types on campus but teachers/students only need to learn how to use one kind of software.

As well as offering two types of technology, digital whiteboards also come in two formats; front or rear projection.

Front Projection:
This type of machine will sit in front of the whiteboard and projects the computer image onto the screen. They can be set onto a table or mounted on the ceiling.

This type of format is ideal for:

• Teachers or presenters who like to instruct/speak from the front of the class.

Rear Projection:
The difference from front projection is that a rear projector is mounted behind the whiteboard. There are cabinets that enclose the mounted projector and use mirrors to propel the image onto the screen. Although this is more expensive than a front projector there are several benefits:

• There is no shadow on the whiteboard.
• There is not a danger of someone damaging his or her eyes by accidentally looking directly into the projector beam.
• The cabinets are large enough to house a base computer system, DVD/Video recorder, and the cable management software to connect a visiting laptop.

All interactive whiteboards are accompanied with software that enables you to use it as a copy board. You can either use a finger or pen, depending on the board you have, and draw images on the board and then save them to the computer. With these saved images you can email or print them. Some kinds of software come with Optical Character Recognition (OCR), which recognizes handwriting on the screen and creates computer text.

No matter what your business or educational needs are, a digital whiteboard can help you. They increase your effectiveness and productivity and can decrease travel costs and hours preparing presentations or lesson plans.

Many machines, such as the Dahle Lever Style Cutters and Guillotines, have self-sharpening features, while others like the MBM Kutrimmer Paper Cutters are designed so that the blades can be removed and sharpened as part of their regular maintenance. Even with built in self-sharpening features, blades can still become dull or damaged and every manufacturer sells replacement blades or knives for their paper cutters.

MBM Kutrimmer Paper Cutters have the highest quality Solingen steel blades that can be removed and sharpened. However, as with all equipment, the blades can be damaged, or too worn down for sharpening. When this happens, you can buy a MBM Kutrimmer Knife Set for your specific model. These kits contain the blades for both the upper and lower blades for your Kutrimmer Paper Cutter. The upper blade is the part that you pull down to cut your paper and the lower blade stays in place, allowing the upper blade to cut the paper as it slides down against the lower blade.

Dahle Lever Style Cutters and Guillotines have a metal blade built into the base of the machine, which sharpens the blade every time it’s used. Even though it does re-sharpen the blade with use, eventually the blades become dull and you will need to replace the blades or re-sharpen them. If you choose to replace the blades you can easily order Dahle Paper Cutter replacement blades from Factory Express. If you want to sharpen the blades, Dahle recommends contacting a knife or scissor sharpener in your area. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SHARPEN THE BLADES ON YOUR OWN!

Martin Yale Cutters have blades similar to that of the MBM cutters, they are made to be sharpened or replaced with use and do not have a self-sharpening feature built into the machine. Sometimes users of these paper cutters find that when they are trying to cut papers, the stack moves and they tighten the clamp to hold it steady. Usually this issue is due to dull blades and can be easily remedied with sharpened or replaced blades. The blades can be removed and professionally sharpened (as recommended by the manufacturer) or you can replace them with Martin Yale replacement blades on your own. It will take you about 45 minutes to change the blades, so plan ahead and do not rush the process.

When you are purchasing replacement blades there are several things to keep in mind. First, know the make, model, and serial number of your paper cutter. Replacement blades and knife sets are model specific, so if you buy the wrong blades, they won’t fit properly and your machine will not work. This will also create significant safety issues. Secondly, it is recommended to have a spare set of replacement blades in case you have to have your blades professionally re-sharpened or they become damaged. If you are purchasing replacement blades you might want to purchase an additional set.

The ways to change the blades on a paper cutter will vary with each model so it is vital to keep all the information you receive with your machine and READ THE INSTRUCTIONS THOUROUGHLY AND TO THE END before attempting to replace your paper cutter blades. If you have questions, call for assistance before you begin this process to ensure you do not damage the machine or hurt yourself.

Some machines, such as the Triumph Paper Cutters, are designed to make changing the cutting blades simple and safe. You change the blades on the front of the machines with replacement blades, which are encased in a device that covers the edge of the blade to prevent injury. Other machines, like the Martin Yale paper cutters require more time to change replacement blades, but every machine has varying instructions.

Regardless of which paper cutter you own, there are three things to remember about the blades or knives on your machine:

1. NEVER ATTEMPT TO SHARPEN THE BLADES ON YOUR OWN! Every manufacturer recommends taking your blades to a professional knife or scissor sharpener.
2. Keep your instructions from the manufacturer and read them in their entirety and thoroughly before you begin changing the blades. Call for assistance before you start changing the blades if you have any questions.
3. Keep an additional set of replacement blades or knife set on hand in case you have to send your blades out for sharpening or they become damaged.

By following these suggestions you can ensure that your paper cutter will perform efficiently, safely, and for a long time.

SlapItUp^TM Is:
A design of wall clings made of a plastic polymer in various sizes and shapes. These pieces of plastic polymer are then charged with electricity so that they will cling to a clean dry indoor surface.

The electrical charge set in the film that you purchase will last between 3 months to 3 years depending on use but you can refresh a piece by sticking it to a television screen and turning the power on and leaving it on for two minutes. SlapItUp^TM wall clings can also be recharged without a television. Simply use a dry piece of wool cloth and gently rub it over the piece of cling to revitalize the electricity This recharges the wall cling by moving the electricity from the television screen or wool cloth to your SlapItUp^TM wall cling.

Some SlapItUp^TM wall clings are sold blank so that you can write on them. Be sure to only use a dry erase marker to write on them and a clean dry cloth to wipe any markings off. SlapItUp^TM wall clings are also environmentally friendly as they can be recycled and use special ink.

Wall Clings You Can Purchase:
The following items are designed for continued reuse. There is a backing that needs to be slowly removed before they will stick to a clean dry surface area indoors, but once placed you can keep a cling stationary for up to 6 months or place it somewhere else. You can write on them with a dry erase marker and clean them with a clean dry cloth or an eraser.

Blank Roll (29″ x 30′)
Keep this roll as one large static wall cling or cut several slammers to use for many purposes.

Blank Roll (33″ x 15′)                                                                                                          
This roll can also be kept as one large sheet or cut into smaller sections.

Graph Sheets (18″ x 24″)
This comes with 15 sheets of graph sheets, which have 1″ square rulings on them.

Use the above products for:

• Brainstorming ideas for home, business meetings, or classroom discussions.
• Wall Art! Kids can now draw on the wall without ruining paint or other finishes.
• School projects in the classroom or hallways. 

Alphabet, Number, and Symbol Packs
These packs include 276 numbers, letters (lower and uppercase), and symbols that are each 3 ¾” x 5 ¾” in size. Each set of numbers, letters, and symbols come in their own 3 ring binders to help keep them organized. These also have a similar backing as the other wall clings so that they will not stick to each other. They come in 4 choices of colors: Red, Blue, Black, and Multicolor.

Use these to:

• Aid in home schooling or as teaching aids for children in schools.
• Decorations that will help children learn while playing in their bedrooms.
• Business meetings or offices.

There is a wall cling for almost every need in your home, office, or classroom. Discover this useful green product that is made to be durable and easy to use.

Choose comb binding for its convenience and professional appearance for all your document binding needs! Comb binding machines provide a great and easy way to bind books, notebooks, presentations, and organize information. Comb binding is becoming more popular because books lie completely flat, which allows for easy reading, as well as the fact that pages can turn efficiently due to the spiral binding comb, and it is inexpensive.

Comb binding machines come in several types depending on what your volume needs are. The options are:

• Low Volume- used for home projects or occasional binding projects.
• Medium Volume- great for those who need to bind several books in one day.
• High Volume- can be used to bind anywhere from a dozen to hundreds of documents daily.

Each type of machine also varies in how many sheets of paper they can punch at one time. Again it depends on your needs. If time isn’t an issue and you are on a limited budget, you can choose a machine that only punches a few pieces of paper at once; however, if time is an issue and expense is not, then there are machines that can punch more paper, which produces quickly bound documents.

You can also choose either a manual punch, in which you must pull a lever to punch holes in your documents, or an electric punch that uses a motor and leaves both of your hands free. When you have chosen your machine, you are now ready to bind your document.

Sometimes even the easiest way to bind can become complicated and it no longer seems straightforward or basic. Follow these step-by-step instructions and you will find you can easily use your comb binding machine.

Simple Instructions For Binding A Book Using A Comb-Binding Machine:

1. Set up your comb binding machine and if necessary, adjust the margin depths, guides, and punching dies as needed. (Below is an image of one type of comb binding machine to give you an idea of where these can be found.)
   
2. Assemble the document you are binding. Place the front cover and the back sheet on also.
3. Choose the first group of pages that you are going to punch; according to how many pages your machine can punch at one time. (Hint: Your machine will last longer and perform more efficiently if you only punch 80% of the pages it can handle at once).
4. Punch the pages you have assembled. As you finish a group of papers, set them to the side, but make sure that you maintain the correct order of your document. This step will vary according to the machine that you have. Some will require you to push a button, while you need to pull a handle on others.
5. Put the binding comb in your machine’s opener/closer.
6. Open the comb and insert the open comb fingers through the holes of the papers you punched.
7. Close the comb and remove your document.

As with any piece of equipment, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions and keep all your paperwork. If you have further questions or are unsure of a particular step, call for assistance.

First recognize that there is machine safety, which requires that all users know how to use the cutter properly, especially if your machine has safety mechanisms already built into it and personal safety, which requires the user to pay attention to prevent injury to themselves or others.

It is important to perform regular maintenance on your paper cutter so that it is in proper working order. Most paper cutter accidents that occur in offices are due to poorly maintained machines. Make sure that emergency stop buttons work and are properly fitted. If you are still shopping for paper cutter, look for extra safety features. The Dahle Safety First Series Guillotine Paper Cutters, for example, have rotary guards that cover the blade throughout the cutting process.

Guillotine paper cutters are extremely dangerous and everyone should be particularly careful when using when using this type of cutter. In 1999 the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) published a booklet specifically discussing guillotine paper cutter safety and created the following directives:

1. Guards must be provided to prevent the operator’s fingers from contacting the knife or clamp from either the front or rear of the machine. Only one person should be allowed to operate the machine at the one time and where long material is being cut and cannot be adequately supported by the worktable, additional supports should be provided.
2. A hand-operated guillotine should be made inoperative when not in use either by removal of the handle or by the use of a locking or similar device.
3. The shear edges of the blades should be maintained in good condition and blade clearance must be adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation appropriate to the thickness of the material being cut.
4. Waste scrap metal provides a hazard for the hands and protective gloves should be worn when the metal is handled. A container should be provided for waste material from the guillotine.

Make sure that employees do not take short cuts or try to rush the machine. All movements around your machine should be deliberate and cautious. Educate everyone that is in contact with your paper cutter on how to reduce injury, focus on:

• Lessening loads
• Provide mechanical aids
• Making sure you have a safe and efficient workplace layout
• The correct way to lift and carry supplies

Do not use a cutter if you are distracted, busy, or in a poorly lit room. Some employers have found it safer to put their cutter in a separate room to avoid user distractions. If you have a manual paper cutter make sure the table it is on is flat and stable. A digital machine should be checked to make sure its sensors are working and current.

Make sure to use common sense and follow your paper cutter manufacturers’ instructions and guidelines implicitly and if you have questions call them!

“Our customers want products that are more ecologically sound, and we’re working to deliver them,” said Sam Moon, product manager for sustainability at Quartet. “We are extremely excited to introduce the Envi line because no other retail line of whiteboards or bulletin boards offers this unique designation. This is just the first step in Quartet’s “Design for the Environment” efforts to incorporate innovation and sustainability into all of its new products.”

MBDC is a third party certification consulting firm that qualifies a company’s manufacturing processes and products have been properly evaluated under specific criteria. These criteria include environmentally safe and healthy materials, material reutilization, water and energy conservation, and strategies for social responsibility.

Quartet’s president, Paul Easthope, is the driving force behind the pursuit of Cradle to Cradle certification in the development of its new products. “This innovative design approach is good for the environment and good for our consumers and our business as well,” he states. “It truly helps consumers to do their part for the environment.”

The Envi line is available in four designs and sizes - an 11 x 17 dry-erase board, an 11 x 17 and 23 x 17 dry-erase monthly planner, a 17 x 23 magnetic combination board, and a 17 x 23 cork bulletin board.

About Quartet and ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE:ABD)

Quartet is the leader in presentation whiteboards and accessories. From boards, easels and markers, to overhead projectors, transparencies and screens, Quartet is synonymous with the essential functions of visual communication that take place in workspaces every day. To learn more about Quartet products, visit www.quartet.com.

ACCO Brands Corporation is a world leader in select categories of branded office products, with annual revenues of nearly $2 billion. Its industry-leading brands include Day-Timer(R), Swingline(R), Kensington(R), Quartet(R), GBC(R), Rexel(R), NOBO(R), and Wilson Jones(R), among others. Under the GBC brand, the company is also a leader in the professional print finishing market.

Shop for Whiteboards at Factory Express

In the US, and a great majority of North America, we use the imperial method of measuring paper weight. This way is highly dependent on the end use of the paper in question. What ever the most popular use for that particular weight of paper becomes it’s basis weight, which is not to be confused with its basis size. Examples of basis weight include “text”, “cover”, “bond”, etc. Each of these individual weight categories also has a basis size that is taken into consideration. The combination of the two will allow you to calculate the actual weight in pounds.

In the US, paper weight is calculated by weighing 500 sheets of each basis size. So basically the weight of the paper refers to the weight of 500 sheets of the paper stacked in a pile. This seems easy enough until you realize that the sheet sizes are different for each basis weight, along with the thicknesses.

Example:
Text paper has a basis size of 25″ x 38″ and cover paper has a basis size of 20″ x 26″. This is why it is important use the basis weight when specifying the weight of the paper you want. A good example would be to ask for 80 lb. cover paper, and not just 80 lb paper in general. An 80 lb. cover will vary greatly from an 80 lb text.

Using the US method of weighing paper, you could mistakenly, or purposely for that matter, have two sheets of the same grade of paper with two different weights. This could happen by calculating off of different basis sizes. This is why it becomes so important to always reference the basis of the paper you want. Without it at the end you will end up being confusing and quite possibly get the wrong paper. So to be completely clear when ordering paper you should say things like ” I need some 80 lb text paper” or “Please get me the 100 lb bond”. You cant just say 80 lb paper.

The other method of measuring paper weight would be the metric system, and it is widely used in most other parts of the world. It is a straight forward and comparably easy formula to understand, but is never really utilized here in the US. With the metric system, all paper weights are measured on the same scale. There are no basis weights or sizes to worry about. Each paper type is measured by how many grams per square inch are in a single sheet of paper. It is written G/M2. You will see varying weights represented in an easy to follow manner. An 80 G/M2 piece of paper would be considered text weight, where as a 300 G/M2 sheet would be considered cover weight. Notice how the larger number equals thicker paper, and there are no qualifying phrases necessary. This method of weighing paper seems easier to understand right away. Just say ” I need some 110 G/M2 paper” and everyone knows what you are talking about.

Learn More at Factory Express

What Is It?
A coin sorter is a simple machine used for sorting coins into individual denominations and then depositing them into slots so they can be rolled. These machines come in several varieties ranging from manually operated versions, to battery operated ones, and all the way up to high end, high volume digital sorters. By making use of the size, weight and shape of each coin, these machines are able to quickly sort and, in some cases, count your change. It takes just few minutes to complete this task, so you save lots of time.

Basically a coin sorter consists of a vertical load hopper that empties and sorts into slots below. There is usually a rotating disc beneath the coins that moves them along in a certain direction. The coins are loaded in a batch and then sorted into a single layer and single file line. Mechanisms in the sorting area are able to distinguish between coins of different denominations, so only certain coins are selected to exit at certain times. The coins can then be further sorted . They are pushed along and then deposited by denomination, based mainly upon size. Each time of coin will be neatly stacked by type. If you have a sorter and counter, it will display the total amount counted.

Choosing a Coin Sorter
When choosing a coin sorter, you need to consider two basic aspects. The main thing to consider is the speed of the machine. Most people will want to count change as fast as possible, but there are varying speeds depending upon model and price range. Coin sorter speeds are measured in coins per minute, so you will want to choose one that will count fast enough for your needs. Size of the coin sorter would be the other thing to consider. Usually with increased size, you will get increased speed, but smaller companies will not want to consider incredibly large machines just to save a few minutes. Most small to medium sized businesses will be fine with a machine that handles 1000-3000 coins per minute. If you have a large company, or deal with a lot of coins you might want to consider a larger machine. The bigger models will have larger hoppers and greater storage capacities. This means you can handle a larger volume with little hassle, but a large sized coin sorter can be inconvenient because it needs more room and is difficult to move around. Be sure to completely weigh your options verses your needs before purchasing your new coin sorter.

Electronic Coin Sorters:
The electronic coin sorter is designed to make the task of rolling coins faster. It is a step up from manual models, but does not have the ability to count your coins, just sort them by type. Simply press a button and drop in your change. That’s all it takes to use one of these useful machines. Electronic coin sorters are able to sort your coins rapidly and then deposit them into pre-formed coin wrappers that fit perfectly into coin holder slots. Some electronic coin sorters may be battery operated.

Digital Coin Sorters:
The digital coin sorter is the best type of coin sorter. For this reason, there are many different models available in today. Some are heavy-duty coin sorters, which handle large amount of coins per minute. Some are battery operated and small coin sorters, which handle just 20 coins at a time. The real benefit of these machines is that they will batch count your coins as it sorts them. Just a press of a button will give you a grand total on the digital display. You can also see totals by coin type. Most of the digital sorters can accept newer coins. This will save you from having to manually sort your coins and separate the old coins from the new coins.

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John Golde, Vice President of the GBC Dealer Group presented the award to Factory Express President Marcie Rackow. Vice President John Golde said: “We at GBC are pleased to announce that Factory Express Inc. of Albuquerque has achieved the dealer of the year award for our Double Diamond category. ” Factory Express Inc. is a full line dealer covering the state of New Mexico for both sales and service of GBC products. In addition to a local sales force targeting the Southwest, Factory Express has a large client base stretching across the United States, Canada. and beyond.  They supply a wide range of companies; from Fortune 500 companies to home based businesses with their document finishing and protection needs.

Regarding the award President Marcie Rackow said, “We are honored to receive this award. It is a real testament to the dedication of our team here at Factory Express. We have had another record year thanks to our commitment to high quality service and unbeatable pricing. We are very pleased once again to see that our year of dedication to our customers has been recognized by GBC.”

GBC has presented numerous awards to Factory Express for various growth and sales performance records. This is the fifth year when such an award has been given. Other years of exceptional achievement include 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006. GBC® is the largest supplier and manufacturer of binding equipment and supplies in the world and has a reputation for quality that is surpassed by no other.

About Factory Express:
Factory Express was founded in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area in 1995 and has since become one of the fastest growing Internet distributors of business machines and supplies. Operating as http://www.factory-express.com/, Factory Express is dedicated to providing its customers worldwide with high quality equipment at low prices, and a steadfast commitment to absolute customer satisfaction.

About GBC:
GBC, an ACCO Brands company, is a world leader in the binding, laminating and display equipment industry with over 50 years of experience. GBC is an innovative technology leader in lamination films and binding solutions for the commercial and digital print market. Other ACCO Brands companies include Swingline, Kensington, Wilson Jones, Quartet, GBC and Day-Timer among others.

Banner American Products, Inc. is proud to introduce its new ValueLam 4500 Laminating/Mounting machine. The introduction of this value priced laminator provides large-format imaging services the capability of mounting, laminating and encapsulating output from 36”, 42” and 44” inkjet printers. Affordable and functional, the ValueLam 4500 is loaded with features important in producing the highest level of results for each and every project. The ValueLam 4500 laminating/mounting machine offers carefully designed features intended to facilitate a profitable finishing service without the added expense of more advanced machines. The easy-to-use design makes the operator’s job simpler with features such as: top and bottom heat, electronic heat control with LCD readout, variable speed, forward/reverse switch, 3” (7.62cm) diameter silicone heated rollers, clear polycarbonate safety shield, emergency stops on both sides of machine, and mounting capability up to ¼” (6.4mm).

According to Alan Parkhill, Banner American Products, Inc., “In addition to the ValueLam 4500’s extremely competitive price, the laminator will operate on a 120 volt electrical circuit. This can save an additional $500-$1500 in setting up a dedicated 220 volt line.”

“We are honored to be recognized as a leading innovator in the Chicagoland-area,” said Nancy Heaton, senior global marketing manager for Fellowes, Inc. “This award marks our strong commitment to safety, which has always been a top priority for our company. The DS1 personal shredder is a true testament of our dedication to continuously enhancing our products to have the safest features possible.”

This year marks the sixth annual Chicago Innovation Awards competition, which was co-founded in 2002 by Kuczmarski & Associates and the Chicago Sun-Times, and is designed to honor significant innovations introduced by Chicago-area companies.

Award nominees were judged based on the success of products and services introduced between May 2006 and July 2007 that uniquely satisfied unmet needs in the marketplace. The Fellowes Powershred DS1 personal shredder was one of 10 winners, chosen from nearly 250 nominees.

The Powershred DS1 features patented SafeSense™ technology that protects the safety of the user, including children and larger pets, by automatically disabling the shredder when sensing hands or pets are too close to the paper entry. An electronic sensor surrounds the shredder’s paper entry and shuts down the machine immediately when it comes in contact with the energy field created by humans and large pets. The cross-cut machine also shreds 11 sheets of paper per pass, along with staples, paper clips and credit cards.

After its launch in August 2005, the Powershred DS1 quickly became Fellowes’ best-selling personal shredder, outselling Fellowes other personal shredders by more than 50 percent. Due to the DS1’s success, Fellowes has gone on to add its SafeSense technology into nine additional shredder models and plans to roll out seven new models in 2008.

About Fellowes
Headquartered in Itasca, Ill., Fellowes, Inc. offers an impressive range of products to equip the workspace, including paper shredders, binders and laminators, desktop accessories and record storage solutions. Fellowes, Inc. owns and operates subsidiaries in Canada, United Kingdom, Benelux, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Singapore, Japan, Korea, China and Australia, the company employs more than 2,700 people throughout the world and expects global sales in excess of $700 million this year.

About the Chicago Innovation Awards
Kuczmarski & Associates and the Chicago Sun-Times established the Chicago Innovation Awards in 2002 as an annual program to honor significant innovations introduced by Chicago-area companies. Each year the Chicago Innovation Awards honor 10 winners who have introduced products or services that uniquely fill unmet needs, generate a competitive response in the marketplace, exceed market expectations and achieve financial success. For more information, visit www.ChicagoInnovationAwards.com.

Auto+(TM), a new Rexel(R) shredder, was designed to save employees time by automatically shredding large volumes of paper with minimal human interaction. With this high-performance model, there is no need to remove staples or paper clips before shredding and it can shred up to 500 A4 sheets in one load.

Time management is a top priority for any organisation no matter what industry they are in. According to a study conducted by the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp), the majority of respondent companies have concerns about time management. The survey found that 53% of companies have a “somewhat high” or “high” level of concern about the time management skills of their employees.

“We understand that shredding can be a time consuming activity,” said Mike Stranders, EMEA, Product Manager for ACCO Rexel. “The Auto+ shredder is specifically designed for minimal human intervention. Employees can simply load their paper, close and lock the lid by entering a unique password and walk away. The shredder will automatically shred the document, allowing personnel to redirect their efforts which in turn, increases their productivity.”

Not only can Auto+ shred up to 500 sheets of paper at once, but unlike other shredders on the market today, staples and paper clips do not jam the shredder. As an added convenience, the Rexel shredder has a top load feeder for smaller jobs up to six sheets of paper at a time. Businesses that use confidential documentation can shred pages into 3×20 mm pieces for security level three compliance.

The Auto+ shredder is perfect for environments where the company’s bulk shredding is done in one centralised location such as a post room, facilities department or in any company that regularly needs to shred archived material to comply with stringent data protection legislation.

The Rexel Auto+ shredder also features an innovative LCD display that provides a variety of indicators for user convenience (door open, bin full, reverse, overload/jam and oil). Using sophisticated technology, this durable shredder was designed for continuous operation since it is not necessary to wait for the machine to cool down between jobs. Because the entire shredding process takes place within the enclosed machine, the Auto+ model is ultra quiet. With an 83 litre waste bin capacity, 1000 sheets of paper can be shredded before the internal bin needs to be emptied.

Shredding large volumes of paper used to be a time consuming task but not with the introduction of the new auto-feed shredder from Rexel.

About Rexel and ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE:ABD)

ACCO Brands Corporation is a world leader in select categories of branded office products, with annual revenues of nearly $2 billion. Its industry-leading brands include Day-Timer(R), Swingline(R), Kensington(R), Quartet(R), GBC(R), Rexel(R), NOBO(R), and Wilson Jones(R), among others. Under the GBC brand, the company is also a leader in the professional print finishing market.

WARNING! Never attempt to remove paper manually from a jammed shredder plugged into power. ALWAYS unplug the shredder before attempting any manual maintenance.

If your shredder just shuts down without any apparent jamming, make sure the circuit breaker for the shredder outlet is on. If the shredder has power and there’s no apparent jam, it probably overheated. Turn it off and let it sit idle for about an hour. This should cure an overheating problem.

If the shredder doesn’t appear to be jammed with paper, it may be seizing up because the cutting cylinder blades need oiling. 

If you suspect the blades need oiling, refer to the owner’s manual for instructions on how to oil them. NEVER use WD40, a petroleum-based oil, or otherwise flammable oil on cutting blades. Use vegetable-based oil like Canola or corn oil.

• Hold down the reverse button and squirt oil into the paper entry area in a sweeping motion from one side to the other and back.
• Place the shredder in the FORWARD position and allow the shredder to run for three to five seconds.
• Do the same in the REVERSE position.
• Repeat these last two steps about three times.

NOTE:
Continually attempting to run the shredder motor with the shredder in a jammed state can burn out the motor. Cease to apply power to the motor the instant you are fairly certain the jam will not clear up, and then proceed to a manual approach. 

If the shredder is obviously jammed, turn it off, study the situation for a moment, and refer to your owner’s manual for instructions on how to proceed. 

Short of that, turn the shredder back on and move the control switch to the REVERSE position to see if the paper backs out. This step usually solves the problem. If it doesn’t, slowly alternate the control switch between REVERSE and FORWARD a few times for about five seconds each. If this doesn’t work, do the same with the manual feed button in alternating REVERSE and FORWARD positions by holding the manual button down in each position for about five seconds. Repeat this process, as few times as possible, until you are reasonably certain this procedure will not clear the jam.

Turn the shredder off, unplug it from power, and let it cool for a while before you touch any internal parts. Being careful to not cut yourself on the shredder’s blades, manually try to pull as much of the jammed paper as you can from the shredder and try the alternating REVERSE/FORWARD process again. Use a pair of tweezers to remove any small bits of paper if necessary. 

After allowing the shredder to cool, you may be able to pull the paper out while manually turning the motor by hand. Make sure the shredder is off, unplugged from power, and cool to the touch before trying this. 

If everything else fails, you can also soak the jammed paper in shredder oil for fifteen minutes and try the REVERSE/FORDARD alternating procedure again. 

If you’re not comfortable with these two last-ditch efforts, have the shredder serviced by a qualified service technician.