Folding machine

A folding machine
Buckle folding machine

A folding machine is a machine used primarily for the folding of paper. Folding is the sharp-edged bending of paper webs or sheets under pressure at a prepared or unprepared bending point along a straight line according to specified dimensions and folding layouts.[1] Paper can be folded with either a buckle or a knife; thus, there are generally three types of folding machines: buckle folders, knife folders or a combination of these two types.[1][2] Whilst buckle folding is the more popular of the two methods, knife folding is sometimes preferable. Folding machine models vary in sophistication, with high-end machines capable of processing more complex folding jobs and unusual paper forms (in terms of density and size).[3][4] Organizations required to undertake mass mail-out campaigns often employ folding machines to improve efficiency.[4] However it is very commonly used finishing process across the printing industry.[1]

  1. ^ a b c Kipphan, Helmut (2001). Handbook of Print Media: Technologies and Production Methods. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag. pp. 796–811. ISBN 978-3-540-67326-2.
  2. ^ "Folding and Scoring Finishing of Coated Papers after Sheet-Fed Offset Printing" (PDF). Sappi. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Equipment - Focus on flexibility.Stahlfolder TH/KH" (PDF). Heidelberg. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  4. ^ a b "What is a Letter Folding Machine?". WiseGeek — Clear answers for common questions. Conjecture Corporation. 2003–2012. Retrieved 29 April 2012.