Homebrew PCBs

OK, new question related to the problem I believe I was having.

Who has modified their laminator to either produce a higher heat or longer 
(slower) processing time? Could you share the info?

Chuck
WB2EDV

Chuck,

I modified a cheap ($30) laminator I bought at Wal-Mart, by letting a
process controller like this one control the temperature:

http://www.omega.com/ppt/pptsc.asp?ref=CN132&Nav=temp03

I have seen similar "autotune" ones on ebay for less than $50. 

Originally, the laminator had two things in series with the heating
element: a fixed-temperature thermostat for regulating the
temperature, and an over-temp breaker for protection, which tripped at
a much higher temperature.

I ripped out all that wiring and let the process controller's relay 
control power to the heating element. I used a piece of thermocouple
cable as the temperature sensor, by twisting together the wires at one
end and clamping this end to the heated frame.

I'm fairly certain the GBC unit is similarly wired; you should open it
up and take a peek.

Marshall

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Chuck Kelsey" <wb2edv@...> wrote:
>
> OK, new question related to the problem I believe I was having.
> 
> Who has modified their laminator to either produce a higher heat or
longer 
> (slower) processing time? Could you share the info?

I would have guessed that there might be two bi-metal disk thermostats in 
there, but will check.

However, you made me smile with the overkill method you used ;-) Hopefully 
you had a controller available to you at no cost. But I certainly admire 
your approach.

My thought was to simply replace the lower temp thermostat with a higher 
value, again, assuming that's what's inside. Given the fact that it's one of 
the low-cost units, I've got to believe that to be the case.

Chuck



----- Original Message ----- 

From: "josemj1" <kerwoodderby@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 8:57 PM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Laminator modifications


> Chuck,
>
> I modified a cheap ($30) laminator I bought at Wal-Mart, by letting a
> process controller like this one control the temperature:
>
> http://www.omega.com/ppt/pptsc.asp?ref=CN132&Nav=temp03
>
> I have seen similar "autotune" ones on ebay for less than $50.
>
> Originally, the laminator had two things in series with the heating
> element: a fixed-temperature thermostat for regulating the
> temperature, and an over-temp breaker for protection, which tripped at
> a much higher temperature.
>
> I ripped out all that wiring and let the process controller's relay
> control power to the heating element. I used a piece of thermocouple
> cable as the temperature sensor, by twisting together the wires at one
> end and clamping this end to the heated frame.
>
> I'm fairly certain the GBC unit is similarly wired; you should open it
> up and take a peek.
>
> Marshall
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Chuck Kelsey" <wb2edv@...> wrote:
>>
>> OK, new question related to the problem I believe I was having.
>>
>> Who has modified their laminator to either produce a higher heat or
> longer
>> (slower) processing time? Could you share the info?
>
>
>
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and 
> Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

One caution when replacing the thermostat; the  el cheapo laminators have a
very small safety margin (in order to keep costs down). So watch it very
carefully during the first hours use.

TANSTAAFL!

Myc

On Feb 13, 2008 9:13 PM, Chuck Kelsey <wb2edv@...> wrote:

>   I would have guessed that there might be two bi-metal disk thermostats
> in
> there, but will check.
>
> However, you made me smile with the overkill method you used ;-) Hopefully
>
> you had a controller available to you at no cost. But I certainly admire
> your approach.
>
> My thought was to simply replace the lower temp thermostat with a higher
> value, again, assuming that's what's inside. Given the fact that it's one
> of
> the low-cost units, I've got to believe that to be the case.
>
> Chuck
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "josemj1" <kerwoodderby@... <kerwoodderby%40gmail.com>>
> To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com <Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 8:57 PM
> Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Laminator modifications
>
> > Chuck,
> >
> > I modified a cheap ($30) laminator I bought at Wal-Mart, by letting a
> > process controller like this one control the temperature:
> >
> > http://www.omega.com/ppt/pptsc.asp?ref=CN132&Nav=temp03
> >
> > I have seen similar "autotune" ones on ebay for less than $50.
> >
> > Originally, the laminator had two things in series with the heating
> > element: a fixed-temperature thermostat for regulating the
> > temperature, and an over-temp breaker for protection, which tripped at
> > a much higher temperature.
> >
> > I ripped out all that wiring and let the process controller's relay
> > control power to the heating element. I used a piece of thermocouple
> > cable as the temperature sensor, by twisting together the wires at one
> > end and clamping this end to the heated frame.
> >
> > I'm fairly certain the GBC unit is similarly wired; you should open it
> > up and take a peek.
> >
> > Marshall
> >
> > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com <Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>,
> "Chuck Kelsey" <wb2edv@...> wrote:
> >>
> >> OK, new question related to the problem I believe I was having.
> >>
> >> Who has modified their laminator to either produce a higher heat or
> > longer
> >> (slower) processing time? Could you share the info?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and
> > Photos:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> 
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I did not buy a laminator to modify it, i took a copier fuser unit
instead that i had already.
Most older fuser units from copiers or printers are quite sturdy, with
metal frames not plastic stuff like some laminators.

You do need to change the temp. control, and i'm not sure using a
higher temp. bimetal switch is really a good solution.
There sure is such a thing as overkill, but there is also doing a
proper job, and adding a good adjustable temperature control seems
well worth the effort to me. I just used a transistor, potentiometer,
and a solid state relay i had sitting around, but those digital
temperature controllers one can find on ebay (often from ireland) look
nice and might be a good solution, at a price. Not that expensive in
my opinion, considering the time saved.

ST

On Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 12:41 AM, Chuck Kelsey <wb2edv@...> wrote:
> OK, new question related to the problem I believe I was having.
>
> Who has modified their laminator to either produce a higher heat or longer
> (slower) processing time? Could you share the info?
>
> Chuck
> WB2EDV
>
>
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>