Galaxy FI-64i - Folder Inserter Machine

A folder inserter, also known as a folding and inserting machine or simply a folder inserter machine, is a piece of office equipment designed to automate the process of folding documents and inserting them into envelopes. It streamlines and speeds up the preparation of mailings, making it an essential tool for businesses that send out large volumes of letters, invoices, statements, and other documents regularly.

Here's how a typical folder inserter works:

1. **Document Feeding**: The operator or user places a stack of documents that need to be folded and inserted into the machine's input tray or feed hopper. These documents can be individual sheets, multi-page letters, invoices, or other printed materials.

2. **Folding**: The folder inserter uses precision folding mechanisms to fold the documents according to the specified fold type. Common fold types include single fold, double fold, letter fold, and Z fold, among others. The machine can be programmed to apply the desired fold to each document.

+ 3. **Envelope Loading**: Envelopes are loaded into a separate hopper on the machine. These envelopes can be either DL+ (114mm x 235mm) or C5,(162mm x 235mm) and must be gummed NOT SELF SEAL.

4. **Insertion**: As the folded documents move through the machine, they are matched with envelopes based on predefined criteria. The folder inserter inserts the folded documents into the envelopes, ensuring that each envelope contains the correct set of documents.

5. **Sealing and Stacking**: After insertion, the folder inserter seals the envelopes, by wetting the gummed envelope with the sealing solution. The sealed envelopes are then stacked in an output tray.

6. **Quality Control**: Galaxy folder inserters include quality control features such as double document detection, ensuring that each envelope contains the correct number of documents. If an error is detected, the machine will stop and reject the envelope for manual inspection and correction.

7. **Completed Mailings**: The finished, sealed envelopes are ready for postage or distribution.

Folder inserters are known for their speed and accuracy in handling large volumes of mailings, reducing the need for manual labour and minimising the risk of errors. They are widely used in offices, mailrooms, and businesses that regularly process bulk mailings. The Folder Inserter's core function is to automate the folding and insertion of documents into envelopes for efficient and streamlined mail processing.

A folder inserter is a versatile office machine designed to handle a wide range of documents and printed materials. Based on the information provided above, here are the types of documents that a typical folder inserter can handle:

1. **Single Sheets**: Folder inserters can fold and insert individual single sheets of paper. These could include letters, promotional flyers, announcements, or any other single-page documents.

2. **Multi-Page Documents**: The machine is capable of processing multi-page documents, which can include invoices, statements, contracts, reports, and more. These documents can be folded and inserted together into envelopes.

3. **Brochures and Pamphlets**: Folder inserters can fold and insert brochures, pamphlets, or booklets of various sizes and thicknesses.

4. **Newsletters**: Businesses can use folder inserters to prepare and send newsletters, whether they are single-page or multi-page publications.

5. **Invoices and Statements**: Commonly used for financial mailings, folder inserters excel at folding and inserting invoices, account statements, and payment reminders.

6. **Marketing Materials**: Marketing materials such as promotional letters, product catalogues, and advertising inserts can be processed efficiently using a folder inserter.

7. **Business Correspondence**: General business correspondence, including letters, memos, and business proposals, can be folded and inserted with ease.

8. **Legal Documents**: Legal firms may use folder inserters to prepare legal documents, contracts, court notices, and other legal paperwork for mailing.

9. **HR Documents**: Human resources departments can use folder inserters to prepare employee-related documents, including offer letters, benefits information, and training materials.

10. **Educational Materials**: Educational institutions can use folder inserters for sending course schedules, newsletters, informational brochures, and other educational materials.

11. **Government Mailings**: Government agencies often use folder inserters for mailing official documents, forms, notices, and public information materials.

12. **Non-Profit Mailings**: Non-profit organisations can efficiently process donation requests, newsletters, fundraising materials, and event announcements.

13. **Utility Bills**: Utility companies frequently use folder inserters to prepare and send utility bills, payment reminders, and service-related communications.

14. **Healthcare Documents**: Healthcare providers use folder inserters for processing patient statements, appointment reminders, insurance information, and healthcare communications.

15. **Financial Reports**: Financial institutions can use folder inserters to prepare and send financial reports, investment statements, and banking-related documents.

16. **Event Invitations**: For event planning and promotion, folder inserters can be used to fold and insert event invitations, RSVP cards, and event details.

In essence, a folder inserter is a versatile tool that can handle various types of documents commonly used in business and office settings. Its flexibility and ability to process different document sizes, types, and thicknesses make it an essential asset for efficiently preparing mailings of all kinds.

Setting up a folder inserter with an intuitive wizard guide is a breeze, thanks to its user-friendly interface and step-by-step instructions. Here's a detailed walkthrough of how the wizard guide simplifies the setup process:

1. **Envelope Selection (DL, C5, or No Envelope):** - Begin by choosing the envelope type that matches your mailing requirements: DL, C5, or no envelope if your documents don't need one. - The wizard guide allows you to easily toggle between these options, ensuring precise envelope selection.

2. **Paper Tray Selection:** - Next, select the appropriate paper tray based on the type and size of documents you're processing. - The wizard guide provides clear menu options to pick the correct tray, reducing the chances of paper misfeeds.

3. **Number of Sheets:** - Specify the number of sheets you intend to insert into each envelope. - The wizard guide typically includes a numerical input or +/- buttons for effortless adjustment, ensuring accurate sheet count.

4. **Fold Type Selection:** - Choose the desired fold type to suit your mailing needs. Options may include single fold, double fold, letter fold, or custom folds. - The wizard guide presents fold options in a straightforward menu, making it easy to pick the right fold style.

5. **Seal or Non-Seal:** - Indicate whether you want the envelopes to be sealed or left unsealed. - The wizard guide offers a simple toggle or selection button to make this choice, ensuring envelopes are processed as desired.

6. **Completion and Confirmation:** - After selecting all the necessary options, the wizard guide will summarize your choices. - Review the setup details on the screen to confirm that everything matches your requirements.

7. **Initiate Operation:** - Once you've confirmed your selections, initiate the operation by pressing a "Start" or "Run" button on the interface. - The folder inserter will then automatically execute the folding, inserting, and sealing processes according to your chosen settings.

In summary, the wizard guide simplifies the setup of a folder inserter by providing a clear and intuitive interface with easy-to-follow steps. Users can select envelope types, paper trays, sheet counts, fold styles, and sealing preferences effortlessly. This ensures that the machine processes your mailings accurately and efficiently, even for those with minimal experience operating such equipment. The wizard guide minimizes the margin for error and enhances productivity in your office's mailing operations.

The difference between a 2-station and a 2.5-station folder inserter lies in their capabilities and functionality, particularly in terms of their ability to handle additional documents during the folding and inserting process. Let's break down the distinctions:

**One Station:** A 1-station folder inserter has one station or feeder. These stations are typically used for typically A4 Sheets or documents.

**Two Stations:** A 2-station folder inserter has two stations or feeders. These stations are typically used for typically A4 Sheets or documents.

**Two Primary Stations + Half Station:** A 2.5-station folder inserter also has two primary stations (A4) for documents, but it includes a half station for additional materials such as A5 flyers, compliment slips etc.

**Machinable Envelopes** Are specifically designed and manufactured to work seamlessly with a folder inserter machine. These envelopes meet certain criteria to ensure efficient and trouble-free processing when used in conjunction with folder inserter equipment.

**Sealing Solution** Sealing liquid for inserters is a specialised adhesive solution used in folder inserter machines to securely seal envelopes after documents have been inserted. This sealing liquid is applied to the envelope flaps during the inserting process to ensure that they stick together, keeping the contents of the envelope confidential and protected during transit.

**Heavy Duty Metal Table Top Workstation** The Galaxy Heavy-Duty Desktop Workstation provides an excellent solution for accommodating and operating various office machines, such as franking machines, address printers, paper folding machines, folder inserters, and more. Its adjustable shelves offer ample storage space for items like paper, files, documents, and books. Additionally, its robust locking wheels make it effortless to transport office machines between locations and securely park them when needed.

OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) and barcodes are used on a folder inserter for automation and quality control in mail processing and document handling. Here's why they are used:

**1. Document Sorting and Collation:**
- **OMR:** OMR technology involves adding special marks, in the form of small black rectangle boxes. These marks are read by the folder inserter's OMR scanner as the documents pass through. OMR technology is used to sort and collate documents based on the presence or absence of these marks. For example, in a mailing campaign, you might have documents with different inserts for different recipients. OMR marks on each document help the folder inserter identify which inserts should be included.
- **Barcodes:** Barcodes, which can be 1D or 2D, encode information about the document, its destination, and the inserts to be included. The folder inserter's barcode scanner deciphers this encoded information and uses it to sort, collate, and assemble documents accurately.

**2. Quality Control:**
- **OMR:** OMR marks can also serve as quality control indicators. By reading OMR marks, the folder inserter can detect errors such as missing inserts or incorrectly collated documents. If the folder inserter encounters an issue with the OMR marks, it can divert the document for manual inspection or correction.
- **Barcodes:** Similarly, barcodes provide a means of quality control. If a document's barcode is damaged or unreadable, the folder inserter can flag it for review to ensure that the correct inserts are included.

**3. Batch Processing:**
- Both OMR and barcode technology enable batch processing. The folder inserter can process a stack of documents, automatically sorting, collating, and inserting the appropriate materials for each recipient without manual intervention.

In summary, OMR and barcodes on a folder inserter play a crucial role in automating the sorting, collation, and quality control of documents, making mail processing more efficient, accurate, and personalised. They are essential tools for businesses and organisations that handle large volumes of mail and documents.

In many scenarios, OMR is not required. However, OMR becomes essential when you have a variety of sheets to be inserted into an envelope. Take, for instance, bank statements; OMR is indispensable in this case due to the varying number of letters, which can range from 1 to 7, being inserted into a single envelope. The folder inserter relies on OMR marks on each sheet to determine the precise quantity of letters that should be placed inside the envelope.