What Is an Inserter?
An inserter is a device that automates the process of folding, sealing, and enclosing documents such as invoices and delivery slips. It is also commonly referred to as an encapsulating and sealing machine. Introducing this equipment can reduce costs by shortening working hours and preventing incorrect sealing. In recent years, this equipment has also been used to seal credit card statements to avoid leaking personal information. Specifically, the inserter automatically manages the credit card statement and the envelope to which it is addressed by using a bar code to prevent incorrectly sealed or incorrectly shipped envelopes.
Uses of Inserters
Inserters are devices that mechanize tasks that were previously performed manually.
For example, two tasks are required when direct mail is handled manually: folding the promotional literature and sealing the package.
By using inserters, this work can be automated.
As a result, the work time can be shortened, and folding errors can be prevented.
Recently, inserters’ functions have evolved to the point where it is possible to seal multiple different printed materials in a single envelope. Barcode control of the envelope and its contents can prevent incorrect sealing and shipping.
Principles of Inserters
Inserters have three parts: the central unit, the operation unit, and the control unit.
The central unit has the following three essential functions:
- Folding function to fold documents
- Sealing function, which inserts folded documents into envelopes
- Gluing function to close the envelope with glue
The control panel used to be an LED panel with only a text display, but more and more products recently have an LCD touch panel.
The actual operation is a screen transition in which the operation to be performed by the user is displayed as an icon for each step. The operation is confirmed by touching it by hand.
The control section controls the operation of the entire inserter. The control unit operates the central unit of the device according to the instructions of the control unit determined by the user, thereby outputting the final deliverables.
The following is a rough guide to the performance of the inserters.
It takes about 7 hours to manually fold 1,000 documents, seal them in envelopes, and glue them together.
If inserters with general essential functions are used, the same process can be completed in about 20 minutes.
In other words, the time required for manual operation can be reduced to about 1/20 of the time needed.
This can contribute to a dramatic improvement in work efficiency and a reduction in work costs.