The Akiles DuoMac-C31 is a dual purpose binding machine that is designed for binding documents with both plastic combs and 3:1 pitch twin loop wire.
This is one of the most versatile binding machines available on the market. Using the two punching patterns produced by this machine it is possible to bind your documents with six different binding styles.
This machine is ideal for organizations that are trying to decide what style of binding is the best fit for their image. It is also great for companies who are planning to revisit the way that they present their documents in the near future.
It is also great for companies that want to use different binding styles for presenting their internal and external documents.
Strengths / Features:
The DuoMac-C31 has two different punching throats. It is designed to punch a 3:1 pitch square hole pattern and a rectangular hole pattern with holes that are 9/16" on center for use in plastic comb binding. With these two hole patterns it is possible to bind your documents with six different binding styles including: Plastic Comb Binding, GBC Zipbind, Spiral-O Wire Combs, Twin Loop Wire, GBC Proclick and 3:1 Pitch Spiral Coil binding. No other machine provides more options than this.
In addition to dual punching throats, the C31 also has multiple finishing devices built into the machine. It includes a high quality durable plastic comb opener that is capable of handling all of the different sizes of plastic binding combs that are available on the market. It also includes a high quality wire closer on the front of the machine. This wire closer is capable of handling wires that are between 3/16" and 1-1/4" in diameter. Although 3:1 pitch twin loop wires are only available in sizes up to 9/16", this wire closer can also be used with 19 loop spiral-o wires in diameters up to 1".
Both of the punching throats on the Duomac C31 are fourteen inches in width which means that they can handle legal sized sheets with a single punch. Both throats also have fully disengageable punching pins and open throat designs. Using the disengageable dies it is possible to punch any length of document up to fourteen inches in a single pass. The open throat allows for punching documents longer than fourteen inches using a two step punching process.
Like all of the Akiles DuoMac binding machines, the C31 is known for its high quality metal construction. The body of the machine and all of its components are made from high quality steel. The construction of this machine is great for organizations that need to bind documents on a daily basis.
Weaknesses / Limitations:
The Akiles DuoMac C31 is able to combine a huge number of features into a single machine. No other binding system has all of these features. However, adding two punches and several finishing devices to the system makes it fairly large and bulky. It can also make it difficult for inexperienced users to operate.
This machine is a great system for a small or medium sized office that wants to use multiple binding styles. However, it is still a manual punch and is not ideal for high volume applications. Users who need to bind more than fifty documents per week may want to consider a modular interchangeable die binding punch.
Recommendation:
The Akiles DuoMac C31 is an excellent binding system for organizations that are looking to bind documents with multiple binding styles. This machine can be used to create presentations, proposals, reports and documents using up to six different binding styles. This makes it a perfect choice for companies that aren't sure what type of binding they want to use or for their documents.
This machine is extremely durable and is constructed with high quality metal components.
However, it is still a manual binding machine and is not meant as a replacement for an interchangeable die binding punch. Printers, binderies and large organizations may want to consider a heavy duty electric punch and modular finishing equipment instead of a combination binding system such as this.
The Akiles Megabind 1 is another in a long line of high-quality, solidly-constructed binding machines by Akiles. This heavy-duty, all-metal legal sized plastic comb binding machine has a manual punch with a comb opener. This well-made machine was designed to be used as a complete plastic comb binding solution for medium-volume applications.
Features:
The Megabind 1 has many useful features, including a depth of punch margin control. This control allows you to make your own selection of punching options for the proximity of a hole to the edge of the document. This makes the Megabind 1 ideal for use with all sizes of plastic comb binding spines - from the thinnest, 3/16" diameter spine, up to the thickest up to 2"diameter spine.
In addition, the Megabind 1 also features 24 fully disengageable dies, which allows you to stop any hole from punching, and to easily handle virtually any document length up to 14". The Megabind 1 also has a 14" long plastic comb opener to help you open combs and insert pages on the combs up to 14 inches in length. This is quite handy when binding several books at once. With two handles, the Megabind 1 can punch with one handle and operate the comb-opener with the other. This is an excellent advantage over single-handled machines, which place undo stress on the machine by activating the comb opener during punching (or vice versa).
The machine's manual punch can punch through about 20 sheets of 20lb paper per lift, making it perfectly adequate for most small to medium sized companies and Includes a convenient and easy-to-use document sizing guide on the table of the machine, helping you select the right comb-size, no matter how simple or complex your project, or how large or small your document.
Limitations:
Among its many positive features, the Megabind 1 has a manual punching mechanism great for small to medium sized companies who bind documents on a weekly basis. There are, however, some limitations to the machine. For example; companies who bind documents often, or bind a high volume of documents might benefit from a machine with an electric punching mechanism. This could mean that the Megabind 1E, also made by Akiles is a better option for your higher-volume needs.
The Megabind 1 is a highly functional machine at a great value, but its next generation, the Megabind 2 includes a convenient and easy to use wire closer that can be used with spiral-o 19 loop wire. This feature makes the cost of the Megabind 2 slightly higher, but it provides you with the ability to use an entirely new binding style for an additional $75, making it hard to pass up.
Construction:
Like other binders in the Akiles family, the Megabind 1 is extremely reliable, and built with all metal components. This heavy-duty construction is indicative of Akiles well-made line of binding equipment and the Megabind is no exception. The two handle design will extend the life of the machine, and allow for prolonged use, provided you don't punch things you shouldn't. For example, do not punch; more than 2 clear covers at a time, metal, wood, or any other heavy duty material that could damage the punching heads.
Recommendation:
The Akiles Megabind 1 is an excellent choice for an organization that is looking for a highly reliable legal size plastic comb binding machine. It is built extremely well and has features that highly recommend it.
Potential buyers, however, may want to consider the Megabind 2, which provides the ability to bind documents with wire for just a few dollars more. Given this fact, the Megabind 2 may be the most cost effective choice, depending on your volume needs. Either way, both the Megabind 1 and the Megabind 2 are excellent machines, with built-in reliability. Niether of the machines would need replacement unless your future capacity needs increase, which may lead you to upgrading to an electric punch machine, which is much more suitable for large volume applications. .