Buckle folding might sound complex, but at its heart, it’s a clever application of a simple principle: when you push on a flat sheet, it bends. Let’s unravel how this translates into the high-speed, precise folds you see in brochures, magazines, and more.
Anatomy of a Buckle Fold
Imagine a sheet entering a folder like the BaumFolder 714XLT UltraFold. It first encounters the fold plate – a precisely machined metal channel. As the sheet hits the fold stop at the end, it can’t go further. The force causes it to buckle upwards, creating a series of controlled bends within the channel.
On a buckle folder (like 714), the sheet comes out of the feeder flat and enters the fold plate assembly where it comes to a stop against a stationary fold stop. A series of buckles then forms through the sheet. The buckles within the fold plate are kept very small by the narrow channel design. The buckle at the end of the plate, however, will be larger. The fold plate and rollers are configured such that the large buckle will always form downward where it is grabbed by the fold rollers and compressed into a fold. The picture shows the second plate deflected. This would mean a single fold.
Now, here’s the key: at the very edge of the plate, a larger buckle forms. This is where the folding rollers come into play. These spinning rollers are positioned just right to catch this downward buckle, pinching and creasing it into a sharp fold.
It’s All About Control
The beauty lies in its control. The narrow fold plate channels keep those initial buckles small and consistent. The angle of the plate and rollers ensures that final, critical buckle always forms downwards, guaranteeing a clean fold every time.
The BaumFolder 714XLT UltraFold
The BaumFolder 714XLT UltraFold takes this concept to the next level. Multiple fold plates and roller sets work in concert, creating complex folding patterns at lightning speeds. Need a different fold type? No problem. Individual plates can be adjusted, giving you unmatched flexibility.
Why it is a Finishing Powerhouse
So, why is buckle folding so popular in the print industry?
- Speed: Buckle folders churn out thousands of sheets per hour, perfect for those tight deadlines
- Precision: That controlled buckling means consistent, accurate folds, crucial for professional-looking finished products
- Versatility: From simple letter folds to intricate gate folds, buckle folders handle it all
- Gentle Touch: Unlike some folding methods that can stress the paper, buckle folding is relatively gentle, keeping your prints looking their best
Buckle Up with Mid-State Litho
Ready to see buckle folding in action? Curious about the BaumFolder 714XLT UltraFold? Contact Mid-State Litho today. We’re your local experts, ready to answer your questions and help you find the perfect folding solution for your needs.
If the paper is pushed into a narrow channel before butting up against the stationary object, the buckle that forms in the channel will be a much smaller size than free-forming buckles. At the end of the channel, however, larger buckles will again start to form.
If the channel is angled to produce a down-ward pressure, and two folding rollers, spinning as indicated above, are placed close to the end of the channel, the larger buckles that start forming there will always form down-ward and be pulled into the rollers, compressing into a fold.
