Paper Folding; Flex-Nip Folding - Ricoh FD5000 Manual

2. Details

Paper Folding

Flex-Nip Folding

2
This machine uses the flex-nip method to fold paper.
In this method of folding a stopper fence ¬ is raised or lowered to the correct height for the size of the
paper and the type of fold to be done. A sheet of paper Á descends, hits the stopper and stops. However,
the upstream rollers continue to rotate. This causes the paper ¯ to bulge and flex toward the nip of the
rotating fold rollers on the left. When the paper ° reaches the rotating rollers it feeds into the nip. The rollers
catch the paper, pull it into the nip, and form the fold.
In this machine:
• There are three fold stoppers placed at strategic positions in the fold path.
• Not all the stoppers are used for folding. Only the stoppers needed for the type of folding are used.
When two or more sheets are fed together, a fold assist plate ¬ pushes the flexed paper toward the rotating
fold rollers. The fold plate is used only when more than one sheet of paper is fed at a time. Up to three
sheets can be fed.
134