As one of the only spiral coil binding machines on the market capable of punching through hard bound / chipboard covers, DFG's TitanCoil Ultra is aimed at providing a new binding option to print and copy shops as well any organizations who desires the capability of producing hardcover wire bound books. Here is a list of what we consider to be the TitanCoil Ultra's strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths:

1. As far as looks and construction, the TitanCoil Ultra is for all intents and purposes is a higher capacity version of DFG's TitanCoil machine. Both of these machines feature heavy duty all metal construction that is clearly designed to give the user years of use without the need for repair or maintenance.
2. Though the stated punching capacity of the TitanCoil Ultra is not all that far above the rest of DFG's Titan line, the TitanCoil Ultra has a larger punching throat. This means that you can insert thicker items such as chipboard and some types of custom hard covers into the machine for punching and processing. This makes for a huge leap in capability as there are very few other binding systems on this level and at this price point that have this capability.
3. One of the features that we really liked about the TitanCoil Ultra is the fully disengageable dies. With that capability matched with the open throat design, you can set up this machine to punch and bind hard cover documents of just about any size. In a single lift, you can punch sheets up to eleven inches. You can process documents that are longer if you use a two step punching process.
4. Though the TitanCoil Ultra was clearly designed to give the market place an option for binding hard cover wire bound documents, this machine can coil-bind other documents, reports, proposals and the like with equal aplomb. The TitanCoil Ultra even features an adjustable punch margin depth control, coil sizing guide, and even a spiral coil inserter that you operate with a handy foot pedal. These features add a great deal of flexibility and versatility to the TitanCoil Ultra and make it a great machine for the binding of soft and hard covered documents alike.

Weaknesses:

1. Though the larger punching throat on the TitanCoil Ultra means that is able to process thicker documents and materials like chipboard, you will find that it is a difficult machine to operate if you happen to load a little bit too much paper into the machine. For the most part, the vast majority of users will have a difficult time getting a good clean punch on more than 15 to 20 pages of paper or 2 or 3 clear plastic covers per lift.
2. Though we applaud the inclusion of a foot pedal that operates the coil inserter, we found that the design of the pedal (as well as the inserter itself) were not quite up to the standards of the rest of the machine. As far as the inserter, we prefer a dual roller design, and this one has only one. The roller is also only around six inches in length. These two things adversely affect the speed and accuracy when inserting larger coils. As far as the foot pedal, we found that its construction is not quite as durable as the rest of the machine, or as those included with some other companies' binding machines.
3. DFG (Digital Finishing Group) is a relatively new binding machine manufacturer. Although their equipment is heavy duty and made from high quality components, their customer service can leave something to be required. If you have a problem with this machine you will be responsible for shipping it back to the manufacturer for repair and will have to wait until their technicians return it to you.