1. Important Safety Instructions
Please read all instructions carefully before using the laminator and retain this manual for future reference. Failure to follow these instructions may result in electric shock, fire, or personal injury.
- Do not operate the laminator if the power cord or plug is damaged.
- Keep the laminator away from water or other liquids.
- Do not insert objects other than laminating pouches into the machine.
- Keep hands and loose clothing away from the feed opening during operation.
- Unplug the laminator when not in use or before cleaning.
- This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.
- Ensure adequate ventilation around the machine during use.
2. Product Overview
The ASHATA SL688 is a versatile 6-in-1 thermal laminator designed for hot and cold lamination, offering fast preheating and a smooth lamination process. It includes integrated tools for enhanced functionality.
2.1 Components and Features
Figure 2.1: Front view of the ASHATA SL688 Laminator. This image displays the compact design of the laminator with its feed slot and output tray.
- Hot & Cold Lamination: Supports both thermal and pressure-sensitive laminating pouches.
- Fast Preheating: Ready in approximately 1 minute.
- Dual Roller System: Ensures smooth, bubble-free lamination.
- ABS Release Function: For easy removal of misfed or jammed pouches.
- Integrated Paper Trimmer: For precise cutting of documents.
- Corner Rounder: To smooth sharp corners of laminated documents.
- Hole Punch: For creating holes in laminated items for binding.
2.2 Included Accessories
Figure 2.2: The laminator shown with its full set of accessories, including the paper trimmer, corner rounder, hole punch, and binding rings.
Your laminator package includes:
- 1 x ASHATA SL688 Thermal Laminator Machine
- 12 x Laminating Sheets (various sizes: 2x 2R, 2x 3R, 2x 4R, 2x 5R, 2x A5, 2x A4)
- 1 x Paper Trimmer
- 1 x Corner Rounder
- 1 x Hole Punch
- 3 x Binding Rings (different inner diameters)
3. Setup
- Unpack: Carefully remove the laminator and all accessories from the packaging. Retain packaging for storage or future transport.
- Placement: Place the laminator on a stable, flat surface with adequate space around it for proper ventilation and for documents to feed and exit. Ensure it is away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and water.
- Power Connection: Plug the power cord into a standard electrical outlet.
- Initial Warm-up: Press the 'Power' button. The indicator light will illuminate. The machine will begin to preheat. The green 'Ready' indicator light will turn on (or stop flashing) when the machine is ready for use (approximately 1 minute).
Figure 3.1: Close-up of the control panel showing the power button and indicator lights for 80mic, 125mic, and Cold settings.
4. Operation
4.1 Hot Lamination
- Prepare Document: Place your document inside a laminating pouch, ensuring it is centered and there is an even border around the edges.
- Select Pouch Thickness: Press the 'One-click switching' button to select the appropriate temperature setting for your laminating pouch:
- 80mic: For standard 80-micron pouches.
- 125mic: For thicker 125-micron pouches.
- Wait for Ready: Ensure the green 'Ready' indicator light is solid before proceeding.
- Feed Document: Insert the sealed edge of the laminating pouch into the machine's feed opening. The machine will automatically pull the pouch through.
- Retrieve: Once the laminated document exits the rear of the machine, retrieve it. Allow it to cool on a flat surface for a few seconds before handling.
Figure 4.1: A document being fed into the laminator, illustrating the lamination process.
Video 4.1: Demonstration of the laminator in use, showing the unboxing, setup, and lamination of a photo and a document. It also demonstrates the use of the corner rounder and hole punch.
4.2 Cold Lamination
For cold lamination, use self-adhesive cold laminating pouches. This mode does not require heat.
- Prepare Document: Place your document inside a cold laminating pouch as per the pouch manufacturer's instructions.
- Select Cold Mode: Press the 'One-click switching' button until the 'Cold' indicator light illuminates.
- Feed Document: Insert the sealed edge of the cold laminating pouch into the machine's feed opening.
- Retrieve: Once the laminated document exits, retrieve it.
4.3 ABS Release Function (Anti-Jam)
If a laminating pouch becomes jammed or misfed, use the ABS release function:
- Activate ABS: Locate the ABS release lever on the side/rear of the machine. Push and hold the lever.
- Pull Pouch: While holding the lever, gently pull the laminating pouch out of the feed opening.
- Release Lever: Once the pouch is removed, release the ABS lever.
Figure 4.2: Detail of the ABS release lever, used to clear jammed laminating pouches.
4.4 Using Included Accessories
The SL688 comes with several useful accessories:
- Paper Trimmer: Use the integrated paper trimmer to cut documents or laminated items to your desired size. Place the item under the cutting guide and slide the blade along the track.
- Corner Rounder: Insert the corner of your laminated document into the corner rounder and press down to create a smooth, rounded edge.
- Hole Punch: Position the hole punch over the desired spot on your laminated document and press to create a clean hole.
- Binding Rings: Use the included binding rings to organize multiple hole-punched laminated documents.
5. Maintenance
- Cleaning: Ensure the laminator is unplugged and completely cool before cleaning. Wipe the exterior with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents.
- Storage: Store the laminator in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. If storing for an extended period, it is recommended to place it back in its original packaging.
6. Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Machine does not turn on. | No power supply. | Check power cord connection and wall outlet. |
| Laminated document has bubbles or is cloudy. | Incorrect temperature setting; Pouch too thick; Document not flat. | Ensure correct temperature for pouch thickness. Use appropriate pouch. Ensure document is flat before laminating. |
| Pouch jams in the machine. | Misfed pouch; Pouch too thick/thin; Overlapping documents. | Use ABS release lever to gently pull out the pouch. Ensure pouch is fed straight. Use correct pouch thickness. Do not overlap documents. |
| Lamination is too slow. | Machine is in cold mode; Pouch is too thick for selected setting. | Ensure correct hot lamination temperature is selected. Allow machine to fully warm up. |
7. Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | SL688 |
| Brand | ASHATA |
| Lamination Type | Hot & Cold |
| Max. Lamination Width | 9 inches (approx. A4 size) |
| Warm Up Time | Approx. 1 minute |
| Lamination Speed | 440mm/min |
| Supported Pouch Thickness | 80mic, 125mic |
| Item Weight | 3.65 pounds |
| Package Dimensions | 16.93 x 7.09 x 4.53 inches |
8. Warranty and Support
This ASHATA SL688 Laminator Machine comes with a manufacturer's warranty. For detailed warranty information, please refer to the warranty card included in your product packaging or contact ASHATA customer support.
If you encounter any issues or have questions regarding your product, please contact our customer support team through the retailer's platform or the contact information provided on the product packaging.
