---
title: Rollman RM-1520A full-automatic laminator operating manual (English digest)
source_url: https://cncu.co.za/Rollman-Industrial-Laminator/RM-1520A%20User%20Manual.pdf
source_ref: local://T:/U/C/Rollman-Industrial-Laminator/RM-1520A User Manual.pdf
fetched_at: 2026-10-19T04:48:26Z
category: manual
product: AM.CO.ZA Rollman industrial laminator RM-1520A (also useful for RM-1520 / RM-1520/L)
---

# Rollman RM-1520A operating manual (English digest)

**Product:** AM.CO.ZA **Rollman** 1520 mm industrial roll laminator **RM-1520A** (full-automatic, single-sided, cold laminating with optional roller heating). The sister models **RM-1520** (hot) and **RM-1520/L** (cold-only, no heater) share the same frame, rollers, core axles and pneumatic lift, so the installation, operation, maintenance and fault sections below are a good guide for them too; heater-related steps do not apply to **RM-1520/L**. Spares on buythis: **RM-1520/ELEMENT** (quartz heater tube) and **RM-1520/ROLLER**. **No prices, no stock.**

**Source:** OEM English handbook *Full-automatic single-sided laminator RM-1520A Operating Manual*, 12 A4 pages, PDF dated 2024-06-13 (author LYQ, written in WPS). Re-fetched from cncu on 2026-10-19: [RM-1520A User Manual.pdf](https://cncu.co.za/Rollman-Industrial-Laminator/RM-1520A%20User%20Manual.pdf), HTTP **200**, 676550 bytes, MD5 `95031F90825B7A009C8F39FA785BEE66` (unchanged since the August first-deep). This page is a condensed English digest of the text; the PDF's photos and diagrams are not reproduced, so open the PDF for the parts pictures and the installation drawing. The handbook's overview calls the machine "RM-1052A"; that is a typo for RM-1520A.

## 1. What the machine is

A roll-to-roll laminator that laminates and trims in one pass. The top and bottom rubber rollers are high-grade silicone (heat-stable, wear- and corrosion-resistant, non-stick). Left and right material rods can alternate, and the machine has automatic detent. It works with ordinary cold laminating films on the market (backing-paper films, polymer cold films and similar) for post-print work, display boards, packing board, vehicle film, floor film, reflective boards, banners, shop-window displays and desk film.

### Specifications (from the handbook table)

| Item | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Maximum laminating width | 1600 mm |
| Maximum laminating speed | 12 m/min |
| Maximum laminating thickness | 28 mm |
| Top rubber roller diameter | 130 mm |
| Bottom rubber roller diameter | 110 mm |
| Roller material | Silicone |
| Roller lifting | Pneumatic (cylinder SDA50-30, lifts the top roller more than 28 mm) |
| Heating temperature | Room temperature to 70 °C (handbook figure) |
| Heating power | 2000 W (quartz tube) |
| Heating time | 5 to 10 minutes |
| Motor | 120 W AC motor |
| Input voltage | 220 V (110 V version can be customised) |
| Package size | 2140 x 710 x 785 mm |
| Net weight | 200 kg |
| Equipment size, gross weight | Left blank in the handbook |

**Temperature limit, AM guidance:** the separate AM cncu how-to for the hot models sets the panel's default maximum at 60 °C and the allowed maximum at 80 °C, and warns that going above 80 °C damages the roller. See [Rollman hot laminator maximum temperature settings](temperature-settings.md). The handbook's own heating figure (up to 70 °C) sits inside that limit. Never set more than 80 °C.

### Main parts

- **Film placing axle, picture placing axle, lining paper collecting axle, finished product collecting axle:** aluminium core axles (aluminium rod and heads, bearings, rubber strip), outer diameter kept within 3 inches so standard film cores fit. The rubber strip adds friction so rolls don't slip, loosen or over-tighten.
- **Top and bottom rubber rollers**, plus a **smoothing rubber roller**.
- **Rubber roller lifting button:** a two-position pneumatic switch. Up lifts the top roller; down lowers it and holds the air. The air circuit keeps both ends of the top roller rising and falling together, which matters for even pressure.
- **Tightening handle:** sets the tension on the four core axles. Clockwise tightens, anticlockwise loosens.
- **Photoelectric switch:** anti-pinch guard, on by default; it pauses the machine when it sees an obstacle. It can be switched off at the photoelectric switch.
- **Emergency shutdown switch:** cuts power and stops the machine.
- **Cutting knife:** trims the waste edge lengthwise while laminating. There is also a cutting-off tool rod and top rod for cross-cutting.
- **Static eliminating cord**, **operation panel**, **pedal switch**, **oil-water separator** (air supply), **protective tube socket**.
- **Main power switch:** on the back of the right-hand head. Up to the "o" position switches on, down switches off.

## 2. Installation

### In the box

| Item | Qty | Note |
| --- | ---: | --- |
| Host machine | 1 | |
| Rack feet | 2 | Fixed to the top inside the wooden box cover |
| Connecting square pipes | 2 | |
| Cross beam | 1 | |
| Quartz heater tubes | 2 | One to install, one spare |
| Accessory carton | 1 | Pedal switch, screw kit, hex wrench |

Check the crate is undamaged before opening and that all accessories are present after. Leave enough working space, use flat ground, and use a properly earthed power socket. Keep the front of the machine facing up when moving it so it can't topple.

### Steps

1. Open the wooden crate (wrench, screwdriver, craft knife, hammer).
2. Take out the legs, beam and square pipes and assemble the stand as in the PDF drawing, using **M8 x 100** and **M6 x 20** hex socket cap screws.
3. The two quartz tubes are strapped on top of the machine. Cut the strap and lay them down gently; they are fragile.
4. **At least four people** lift the host machine onto the assembled stand and fix it in the correct holes.
5. Keep one quartz tube as a spare. Open the sealing plates at both ends and fit the other tube, connecting the white high-temperature wires on both sides; tighten the copper nut and refit the magnetic cap. **Do not connect power while fitting the quartz tube.**
6. Mount the oil-water separator on the outside of the right-hand leg. Connect the air pump output to its left side and the machine's air supply pipe to its right side, then start the pump.
7. Fit the left and right supports of the picture placing axle tightly and parallel to the roller platform.
8. Plug the pedal switch into the socket at the back right of the right-hand case and tighten the fixing nut.

## 3. Operation

### Panel

Indicator lights for cold laminating, hot laminating and ready, plus a display. Buttons:

| Button | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| Setting | Opens the roller temperature setting |
| Heating / Cooling | Raise / lower the value while setting temperature |
| Continuous | Continuous laminating |
| Inching operation | Pause; the pedal switch only works in this mode |
| Positive rotation | Laminate forward |
| Negative rotation | Run in reverse |
| Acceleration / Deceleration | Speed up / slow down |
| Cold laminating | Run at room temperature (display shows forward and reverse speed) |
| Hot laminating | Heat the rollers when the room is too cold for the film |

The handbook suggests starting at speed **gear 1 or 2**.

**To heat:** press Hot laminating, press Setting, use Heating or Cooling to set the temperature, press Setting twice to start heating, and wait for the Ready light.

### Laminating procedure

1. Load the film and the print on their axles and put empty cores on the lining paper and finished product collecting axles. Cores and material sizes include 914, 1070, 1270 and 1520 mm; centre everything and keep it all to the same scale.
2. Switch on the main power.
3. In a warm room use cold laminating. If the room is cold or below the film's required temperature, switch on roller heating, set the temperature and wait for it to come up.
4. When heating is done, press the pedal button and the laminate button and set a low speed (gear 1).
5. Peel the film and lining paper as in the diagram (lining paper and backing film come off the top, print and finished product run through), line the print and film up neatly, then press the pneumatic switch to bring the roller down.
6. Tread the pedal to laminate slowly for a short length, tape the laminated lead onto the finished product core, reposition the cutting knife, and carry on with the pedal.
7. Watch for arching (bowing). If it appears, adjust the picture placing axle tension; if the lining paper winds up too slowly, increase the lining paper axle tension. Fine-tune the knife's rotary knob to correct cutting drift.
8. Once it runs cleanly, press the pedal button again (pedal light goes off) for continuous laminating and increase the speed.
9. Press Stop when the roll is finished, then load the next roll.

## 4. Maintenance

- Check the roller surfaces are clean at every start-up. If the machine faults or sounds wrong, find and fix the cause before using it again.
- To clean, run the rollers forward or backward with the buttons and wipe adhesive residue off with a cloth dampened with alcohol. **Never** scrape the rollers with blades or anything sharp; it ruins their flatness and the laminate.
- After use, switch heating off, stop the rollers and power down only once the rollers have cooled to room temperature.
- With daily use, oil the drive chain **once a month** and clean it **every six months**. Do a full inspection **once a year**.
- After laminating, leave a soft film between the top and bottom rollers to extend roller life.

## 5. Faults and fixes

| # | Problem | Check | Fix |
| ---: | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Panel shows content but the rollers don't turn | Emergency stop pressed? | Twist to release it |
| | | Pedal control button engaged? | Press it again so its light goes off |
| | | Switching power supply output below 24 V? | Replace the power supply |
| | | Emergency stop switch damaged? | Replace it |
| | | Loose wiring? | Find and tighten it |
| 2 | Won't heat up | Set temperature below room temperature? | Reset the temperature |
| | | Temperature probe damaged? | Replace the probe |
| | | Temperature switch damaged? | Replace it |
| | | Quartz tube damaged? | Replace the tube (spare in the box; buythis **RM-1520/ELEMENT**) |
| 3 | Overheating | Temperature probe damaged | Replace the probe |
| 4 | Laminate drifts sideways | Roller worn? | Resurface the roller |
| | | Picture axle tension not adjustable / friction plate worn? | Replace the friction plate |
| | | Slipping at the picture axle aluminium heads (axle, bearing)? | Replace the aluminium head |
| 5 | Creased laminate | Roller damaged? | Resurface the roller |
| | | Picture axle supports loose? | Refit them tightly |
| 6 | Bubbles in the laminate | Roller damaged? | Resurface the roller |
| | | Air gauge below 0.2 MPa? | Set it to **0.3 MPa** |
| 7 | Lining paper won't wind up | Friction plate at the film axle end worn? | Replace the friction plate |
| | | Chain wheel and long shaft at the lining paper axle end not clamped? | Replace the chain wheel and long shaft |
| 8 | Finished product axle shakes | Chain wheel and long shaft at its end not clamped? | Replace the chain wheel and long shaft |
| | | Tension at that end too strong or too weak? | Adjust the tension |

## 6. Safety precautions

1. Read the manual before installing or running the machine.
2. When removing the case cover, hold it up before taking out the last two screws so it doesn't drop.
3. Handle quartz tubes gently.
4. Never have power connected while fitting a quartz tube; refit the case cover afterwards and keep away from the electronics inside.
5. Fit the picture axle supports tightly and squarely.
6. Keep hands out from between the rollers while laminating.
7. Never leave blades or sharp tools on the work table, and never use them on the rollers.
8. Keep the rollers clean (a cloth dampened with alcohol) and free of stains and foreign matter.
9. The power socket must be properly earthed.
10. If the machine differs from the manual after an upgrade, the machine as delivered takes precedence.

## AM notes

- Panel password and temperature limits are on the separate how-to: [temperature-settings.md](temperature-settings.md). Only change the maximum temperature there, nothing else.
- The air supply needs a compressor feeding the oil-water separator; bubbles in the laminate are often low air pressure (set 0.3 MPa).
- AM how-to videos, including the RM-1520A unboxing and basic operation guide (2024-06-18), hot lamination with the trimmer, and installing the heating element, are listed on [Rollman how-to videos](../../youtube/rollman-howtos.md).
- Product page: [RM-1520A on buythis](https://buythis.co.za/rm-1520a#ai).
- Folder index for files and drivers: [Rollman manuals and software index](../../drivers/rollman-firmware-index.md). There is no PC software or driver for these machines.

## Related

- Original PDF: [RM-1520A User Manual.pdf](https://cncu.co.za/Rollman-Industrial-Laminator/RM-1520A%20User%20Manual.pdf)
- [Rollman hot laminator maximum temperature settings](temperature-settings.md)