Homebrew_PCBs

what is with all the reviews of it catching on fire?

There are plenty of them on Amazon.  For this model and it's larger 18inch model.  People saying either an actual fire, or smoking, etc.

Hi....I have done extensive testing of this laminator and developed this:
http://www.amazon.com/Apache-AL13P-Professional-Laminator-Documents/dp/B0012UEQ5C/ref=cm_srch_res_rtr_8

I have also, subsequently, determined the fire hazard....and it's cause.

If you over tighten the tensioning screws at the bottom to get one pass
results, the motor can 'stall'. This causes the side mounted heat
sensor to NOT see the top and bottom roller heating and the heater goes
full duty cycle , melting the roller surfaces near it producing a lot of
white smoke and ash. You can recommission the 'failed' laminator by
swapping the hot and cold roller sets and wrapping the damaged rollers
in kapton tape after cleaning them. Even if they are not round anymore
they serve no function other than to help transport the laminated item,
they don't do the laminating. The motor should be lubricated and tension
reduced. Upgrading the starting capacitor from 1.55uf to 2.0uF can also
prevent 'starting' stalls.

To be sure this doesn't happen (again) I remove the grey heat shield
cover so I can see the rollers. Do not leave the unit unattended for
more than a minute or 2.

I am looking at upgrading my mod. (above) to also handle and protect
against this 'failure' condition.

Ancel

I'm sorry but I do not understand what you developed. The link goes to the Amazon page for the laminator. Was there something else you were intending to link to? 

The subject line says it all, the Apache AL13P Laminator is available, it's a very high quality heavy duty professional laminator that is very easy to modify to transfer the toner to a PCB. For a while it was not available but Amazon now has them in stock which is good news.


At 09:56 AM 2/27/2015, you wrote:

 

I'm sorry but I do not understand what you developed. The link goes to the Amazon page for the laminator. Was there something else you were intending to link to?

--
Cecil - k5nwa
<  http://thepartsplace.k5nwa.com/ > <  http://www.softrockradio.org/ >

Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.

Here is the project...open source. A DIY kit is available for those who prefer that.
Apache AL13P laminator - One Pass PCB Toner Xfer

 

CJKIT-21353: JAMECO KITPRO: Electronic Kits & Projects

 

It's been selling well...

The Jameco kit is the electronics to modify the laminator's time and temperature control.    Where do you get the Apache AL13P laminator itself?   I must have missed that part.