This designalso allows this machine to run collated documents

Overview: The GBC USP13 is the same machine that was originally designed and manufactured by Sickenger before they were purchased by GBC.Thismachine is designed for extremely high volume applications and iscommonly found in large print shops and binderies across the UnitedStates.It utilizes a short and straight paper path to helpminimize jams when running thick and coated paper stocks. This designalso allows this machine to run collated documents with intermixedindex tabs and papers of different weights. Strengths / Features: TheGBC Sickinger USP13 is designed for large binderies, print shops andin-plant printers that need to punch millions of sheets per month. Itis capable of punching up to 120,000 sheets of paper per hour andoperates at an average of 80,000 sheets per hour. That is double thespeed of the GBC AP2 automatic punch. You simply load your collateddocuments into one side of the machine and in seconds they will bepunched and ready to finish.The straight paper path andvariable speed settings of the USP-13 automatic punch make it farbetter suited for handling thick, glossy and coated paper stocks thanother automatic punches. By turning down the speed you can help toreduce misfeeds and problems when running specialty paper stocks andheavier covers. It is designed to punch sheets as light as 16lb bondand as heavy as 110lb index. The Sickinger USP13 has beenaround for years and has been in use in high volume binderies and printshops. This is a reliable machine that you can count on to handle yourvolume punching needs. Parts are readily available and there areexperienced service technicians that have Coated sheet factory experience with this specificmachine in most major cities across the United States.Thereare more than fifteen different die sets available for this punch. Infact, punching dies are available for all of the major binding stylesincluding: Comb binding, spiral coil, twin loop wire, Velobind,Proclick, 3-hole and 2-hole punching. Custom dies can also be producedto your specifications for use in specialty applications. Weaknesses / Limitations: Userswho are considering purchasing this machine should note its size andweight. This machine weighs about fifteen hundred pounds and has amassive footprint. It measures, 38" W x 74" L x 50" H. It is importantto make sure that you have the space for this machine and a way to getinto your shop.Although the GBC brochure advertises that youcan switch dies in seconds, it truthfully takes between one and twominutes for most china Coated sheet factory experienced operators that switch die sets. Nospecialty tools are required which is a good thing. However, the diechange time on this machine does not make it ideal for short runapplications or for shops that are constantly switching punchingpatterns. The GBC Quantum is far better suited for those types ofapplications.Like the AP2 Ultra, the USP13 is limited in thesizes of documents that it can punch. It can punch documents with abinding edge as short as 6" and as long as 13". However, the unpunchededge of the document must be between 5" and 12" long. This means thatit cannot punch legal sized paper or extremely small sheet sizes. Thisis something to keep in mind.Although this machine can punchcollated documents with mixed paper stocks, it can still have troublewith plastic or poly covers. It is sometimes possible to punch thesetypes of covers by collating them into your documents. However, if thelift happens to fall so that the clear cover is on the top or bottom ofthe stack that is being punched it can cause a paper jam. Unfortunatelythe best way to handle plastic covers is to punch them with a desktopbinding punch one or two at a time.Although the USP13 isextremely reliable, it is a really good idea to consider purchasing amaintenance contract for this machine. Much like a photocopier or pieceof printing equipment the USP-13 will require maintenance over time andthere are literally hundreds of components that all work together topunch your paper. Having a trained technician perform regularmaintenance will help you to protect your investment and reducepotential downtime. Recommendation: TheSickinger GBC USP13 is an excellent quality automatic binding punchthat has been used by large binderies and printers for years.Thismachine is capable of handling a wide variety of document sizes, paperthicknesses and can even punch collated documents with index tabs.Withan average speed of 80,000 sheets per hour this machine is one of onlya few choices available on the market for ultra high volume users.Provided that you have the budget, space and volume to warrant this piece of equipment I would highly recommend the USP13.