| The MagnaPunch from ACCO/GBC is one of the | | | | can become loose in the track and that pin can be |
| most prevalent punching machines on the market | | | | easily bent causing it to fail to activate the switch |
| today. It is renowned for its interchangeable dies | | | | or break the switch all together. The best bet is |
| and ease of use. The MagnaPunch features 15 | | | | to perform routine inspections on the die set and |
| standard die sets and 2 premium die sets to | | | | inspect the pin on the die sets. |
| choose from. Perhaps the greatest feature of the | | | | The last major complaint that our customers |
| MagnaPunch is that the die sets can be swapped | | | | have had with the MagnaPunch is the lack of a pin |
| out in a matter of seconds as it has no locks or | | | | retaining clip. All other manufacturers put a pin |
| levers. | | | | retaining mechanism in place to make sure that |
| Over time however, we have found that the | | | | the numerous punching pins do not fall out if the |
| locking mechanism that keeps the dies in place is | | | | die is dropped or held upside down. ACCO/GBC's |
| prone to failing. When this happens, the dies can | | | | answer was to put a magnetic strip on the side |
| slide out freely causing the machine to shut down | | | | of the pins to keep them in place. This solution |
| or, in a worst case scenario, the machine will | | | | works fairly well, however care must be taken to |
| punch with the die partially engaged breaking the | | | | make sure that the magnetic strip does not slide |
| die and causing potentially massive internal | | | | on the die. We have found that after a relatively |
| damage. We have found in a production | | | | short amount of time, the magnetic strips are |
| environment that users will use a heavy tape to | | | | damaged from the punch itself and users usually |
| hold the die set in place to keep the die sets | | | | remove them. This makes it extremely common |
| from sliding out with use. | | | | for pins to become lost or to fall out when the |
| Less common than the dies being too loose is | | | | die set is removed from the Magnapunch. |
| when the die lock mechanism is too tight. When | | | | Unfortunately, in a production environment these |
| this happen, it can be very difficult and time | | | | problems are all too common. Problems with the |
| consuming to remove the die set from the punch. | | | | die sets cause expensive service calls, equipment |
| Unfortunately, we have not found an easy fix for | | | | damage, and result in higher than necessary |
| this situation other than that overtime; the die | | | | maintenance costs. Die sets for the Magnapunch |
| lock mechanism will loosen up and eventually fail. | | | | are expensive to replace and replacement dies will |
| The die sets also have a pin mounted on the | | | | suffer from the same problems that most likely |
| leading edge of the die that engages with a | | | | caused die failure in the first place. Unfortunately, |
| switch inside the MagnaPunch, telling the machine | | | | this is a major limitation to an otherwise excellent |
| that the die set is in place. Overtime, the die set | | | | piece of equipment. |