NovaHEAT™ Hand Operated PatchSealer

INSTRUCTIONS

As common with virtually all Novaseal®-branded and Nova Products’ machines, controls are simple and  machines are easy to use.  PatchSealer is no different.  The Patch Sealers are usually customized with any variety of sealing die shapes’  Simply, locate the patch under the Heat Die using alignment guides.  Next locate fabric to be welded to patch again using alignment guides. Next, press down the spring-activated  hand press, hold in place for desired amount of time as indicated by illuminated Red indicator lamp, then release.  On  most  materials that is all you need to do.  On some materials, cooling  pressure is needed to permanently secure the heat sealed materials.   If  cooling pressure is needed, either use supplied Heat Sealing Cooling Block, or any other heat sink material.  Determining the amount of time to  heat  seal a material is best accomplished using trial and error  methods.  The two basic variables in producing optimal seals are seal  temperature and seal time.  When using our factory preset settings for seal  temperature, sealing time becomes the only real variable.

1.  Use the Rocker ON/OFF Switch to turn on the Patch Sealer.  PatchSealer Controls are located on the top of the Control Box.  When the PatchSealer is ON,  the Rocker Switch Lamp will illuminate.

2.  Next set the  Sealing Temperature. When looking at the PID Temperature Controller, note that there are 3 buttons.  The temperature shown when the PatchSealer is ON is the current temperature of the die.  The Set Point value is the operating temperature of the die.  Set point temperatures can not exceed 450°F. Above 450°F, the ceramic coating will wear off quickly, and above 600°F, the die will melt.

To set the Set Point, press the left yellow button once.  Doing this will show current set point value referred to as SP1.  Use Temp Up or Temp Dn to either increase or decrease set point value.  With set point value set, press both Temp Up and Temp Dn at the same time to exit the set point setting window.  Failing to exit the set point setting window will only show set point value not current die temperature.  Also please note that as a PID controller, the current die temperature may overshoot or be less than set point value.  Average current die temperature will be the set point temperature value.

Allow about 10 minutes for heat up and die heat saturation.  Although the Temperature Controller indicator lamp may indicate that temperature has been reached in less time, allow more time for heat to fully saturate die. 

3.  Set the Timer.  Scales can be changed.  Factory default uses a time scale from 0 to 10 seconds.  Rotate dial clockwise to increase time, counterclockwise to decrease time.  Where ever you leave the dial, that time used to calculate sealing time.  As a constant on sealer, the Timer will not shut off the heat, however will illuminate Timer Indicator Lamp when set time is reached.  Remember to release downward pressure on the Handle when the indicator lamp illuminates.

4.  Sealing Die heat is always on, known as constant on sealing.  When making a seal, press down the via the Rubber Handle Pad.  Continued use will require operator to wear heat resistant glove (i.e., welding glove).   Everything other than Handle pad may be hot to  the touch.  For best seals, apply even pressure along the length of the sealing die.  When the Timer Indicator Lamp illuminates, the seal is complete, stop pressing down, and the  Rubber Handle Pad with handle structure will return to UP position.   When the handle structure is in the UP position and the Rocker Switch is on, the Sealing Die will remain HOT.  The only way to turn off the heat is by toggling the Rocker Switch to OFF position.

5.  To seal a  patch, locate patch against the adjustable alignment guides, then locate fabric on top of the patch still using alignment to assure that one material is above the other.  Press down the Handle and hold Handle in Down position until Timer Indicator Lamp illuminates.  Release Handle and return Handle to UP position.  Carefully remove sealed materials.

When sealing a patch to both sides of fabric, follow instructions above for first side.  For second side, locate fabric with first patch sealed patch side down.  Next, locate second patch using alignment guides.  Then locate the supplied piece of Teflon Coated Fiberglas (TCF) above second patch (between fabric and die).  Using the TCF will usually require a bit more time for same quality seal.  In factory tests, we found that adding 2-1/2 seconds with TCF was all that was needed with a majority of patch materials.  Press down Handle until Timer Indicator Lamp illuminates.  Release.  Remove fabric with both patches along with TCF.  Gently remove TCF.  Use Cooling Block.

Two instructional videos follow.  First one demonstrates process of adding a patch to a single side, as well as to both sides.  In this video, short alignment guides are used.  Second video illustrates use with tall alignment guides.  Choosing between short and tall alignment guides depends on your application, and more specifically on the thickness of materials used.