[accessibleimage] Re: Recommendations, PLEASE!

Hello Bob,

We have discovered here at TAEVIS that if we run a blank warm-up sheet
through the "toaster" (as we refer to it) 5 to 6 times before the image
sheets, the rollers and elements warm thoroughly and images are
completely swelled clear to the edges. We also typically send our image
sheets through length wise to prevent the corners from being close to
the edge of the rollers.

I am glad to report we have never had an incident of machine fire at our
location. In fact, I was a bit shocked recently to hear stories of this
from others at conferences and now here on the list. I guess we are just
one of the lucky ones it sounds like. Perhaps it is because we do a
length feed and keep the edges more central and further from internal
gears, etc. that can catch and get hung up?

Heidi Smart
Specialist, Tactile Graphics
TAEVIS @ Purdue University 

-----Original Message-----
From: accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Boguslaw
Marek
Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2005 9:23 AM
To: accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [accessibleimage] Re: Recommendations, PLEASE!

I agree entirely with David. We've had a TIE for six years now with just
one
incident of fire caused by being careless and inserting a sheet which
was
not flattened properly, and the raised corners got stuck  as the sheet
tried
to leave the machine.

One more thing to look at in swelling machines is how they handle edges
of
sheets (graphics close to edges) - sometimes they don't swell while the
centre of the page is OK I must say I am rather pleased with TIE's
perforrmance and the way it handles edges.

Not all that many people seem to know flexi-paper (in Europe at least)
but
it's certainly worth tryig out.
Bob Marek
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gunn, Dave" <dave.gunn@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2005 11:06 AM
Subject: [accessibleimage] Re: Recommendations, PLEASE!


We are in a fortunate position to have one of each fuser for comparison
(TIE, PIAF and Zy-Fuse (aka. Swell-form)), and over the years we have
had fires in all of them!

When using the fusers care should be taken to monitor the device to
ensure the paper passes through it properly. If the paper does not
appear the other side of the machine in the first couple of seconds,
turn off the machine and pull the paper back out the front.

Typically the paper needs to be stuck in a machine in excess of 5
seconds before it starts to cause real problems.

All the fires we had were a result of a sheet of paper being started but
not monitored as it went through the device.

Developments in paper have reduced the number of incidents, with the
current Zy-Tex (Swell-touch) paper being much more reliable than its
predecessor. But the paper which we found most resistant to fire was
flexi-paper.

The bottom line is that all of the brands of paper and fuser are
effective and safe if you use them properly and with care.

Dave Gunn

Technical Manager
RNIB National Centre for Tactile Diagrams
58-72 John Bright Street
Birmingham B1 1BN. UK

Tel: 0845 257 2587 (UK); +44 (0)121 665 4257
Fax: 0845 257 2588 (UK); +44 (0)121 665 4201

Direct: 0121 665 4246 (UK); +44 (0)121 665 4246
Web: http://www.nctd.org.uk

---
Tactile Graphics 2005: 1-2 December 2005 Jurys Inn, Birmingham, UK.

The third international conference and exhibition on diagrams, maps and
pictures for blind people. Touching on every aspect of tactile graphics!

Hosted by RNIB National Centre for Tactile Diagrams.
http://www.nctd.org.uk/conference/conf2005/

-----Original Message-----
From: accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of K Ostby
Sent: 20 November 2005 23:05
To: accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [accessibleimage] Re: Recommendations, PLEASE!

Warning about Reprotronics Tactile Image Enhancer!

I have had the TIE and the TIE Junior both catch fire when the swell
paper
snagged in the normal paper path.

Please, if you choose to purchase one of these machines be very, very
careful when using them. And please don't ever consider using them in a
room
which lacks a fire extinguisher.

There are other companies which make machines like this which do not
have
the fire issue. I would consider PIAF or the machine by American
Thermoform,
even though they are a bit more expensive.

Katrina Ostby -- twice burned...

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