Staples 3-Hole Punch
A Technical Description
Colin Porter
ALG-TWR2000
Staples 3-Hole Punch
General Description
1. General Description
1.1 Overview
The Staples 3-Hole Punch is an office tool that creates 3 standard-sized holes in the margin of a
sheet of paper. It uses a lever action to force down 3 circular blades into the paper placed
inside of it. The holes that it creates are standard 6.35mm in diameter and are sufficient to
support most standard binder rings. The hole positions can be adjusted to accommodate
standard and non-standard spacings. A convenient collection tray is attached to the bottom of
the hole punch to collect the chads (the scraps of paper punched out of the page).
Figure 1 - Front View
Figure 2 - Rear View
Colin Porter
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Staples 3-Hole Punch
General Description
1.2 Operation
A 3-hole punch is used primarily in homes and offices for self-printed documents. Printer paper
generally contains no existing holes so the hole punch becomes necessary if the document is to
be placed in a binder. The punch is very easy to operate. Along the front of the base of the
punch is an opening (see Figure 3). A sheet of paper inserted into this opening will slide right in
with no resistance until it hits the back bracket of the punching area. Typically, the left margin
of the page is inserted facing up. However, the hole punch can accommodate any page
orientation. Once in position the user simply needs to press down on the lever arm and the
holes are effortlessly punched into the document.
Figure 3 – Page Insertion Area
The hole punch itself is optimized for a standard 8.5” by 11” document but can accommodate
both larger and smaller sizes. The page insertion area (the location on the base where the
document rests waiting to be punched) is bordered along the back and left side by metal
brackets. These brackets ensure that the document is in the standard position to create
uniformly punched documents. As the document is fed into the insertion area it will hit the
brackets and meet with resistance. This resistance tells the user that the document is in the
proper position. The right side of the punching area does not have a bracket. This allows
documents larger than 8.5” by 11” to be used (for example 8.5” by 14” legal size) as the extra
length simply extends outside the insertion area.
Figure 4 – Document Before, Loaded and After Punching
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Staples 3-Hole Punch
Main Components
2. Main Components
2.1 Body
The body of the hole punch is comprised of 4 main components:
•
•
•
•
Lever Arm
Fulcrum
Base
Collection Tray
Figure 5 – Body Components
2.1.1 Lever arm
The lever arm is 28cm long and 4-6cm wide (the width bulges in the middle). It is comprised of
hard metal with a soft plastic partial-cover. The purpose of the lever arm is to receive the
downward force of the user. It is attached to the base via the two fulcrum rivets. The plastic
acts as a more comfortable material for the user to interact with but is otherwise not related to
the punching mechanism.
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Staples 3-Hole Punch
Main Components
2.1.2 Fulcrum
The fulcrum is comprised of two metal rivets (one on each
side of the hole punch) approximately 0.5cm in diameter.
They attach the lever arm to the base of the hole punch
and act as the pivot for the lever action. The head of the
rivet on one side and a small metal band on the other side
ensure a tight bond so that the lever arm and the base do
not become separated. However, it is loose enough to still
allow the lever arm to rotate around the rivet when pushed
downward.
Figure 6 – Fulcrum Rivet
2.1.3 Base
The base is the largest component of the hole punch. It is 28cm long by 6 cm wide. Two arched
wings on either end rise up and are the attachment points for the fulcrum. In the middle of the
base are two raised tabs of metal that run most of the length of the base. These raised tabs are
where the guides are attached to the base. An oval shaped hole is cut into each of the tabs
where the thumbscrews are inserted and screwed into the guides.
2.1.4 Collection Tray
The collection tray is a soft plastic cover that is attached to the bottom of the base. Its purpose
is to collect the chads (circular bits of paper that have been punched out). The tray fits snuggly
around the entire bottom of the base but is soft and flexible so it is easily removed. Once
removed, it makes disposing of the chads very simple.
Figure 7 – Collection Tray Exposed with Chads
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Staples 3-Hole Punch
Main Components
2.2 Blade Apparatus
The Blade Apparatus is the mechanism that creates the holes in the document. It is comprised
of 4 main components:
•
•
•
•
Guide
Blade
Spring
Thumbscrew
Figure 8 – Blade Apparatus Components
2.2.1 Guide
The guides are the metal housings for the springs and blades and ensure that the blades
puncture the paper at a precise and pre-determined angle. They measure approximately 1.5cm
long by 1.25cm wide by 1.25cm tall. They are rectangular in structure with a round opening on
the top and bottom to allow the blade to move up and down. The spring is located entirely
inside the guide while the blade is able to move from partially above to partially below.
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Staples 3-Hole Punch
Main Components
2.2.2 Blade
The blade is a cylindrical metal peg with the bottom end separated into two sharp triangular
points. It is about 2cm high with a diameter of 6.35mm. The blade’s purpose is to create the
hole in the document when forced downward onto it. The sharp tips are to cut the paper when
punching to ensure a clean cylindrical hole.
2.2.3 Spring
The spring is a small metal coil located inside the guide and surrounds the main body of the
blade. Small pegs on the side of the blade rest on top of the spring so that when the blade is
pushed downward it compresses the spring (see Figure 9). The purpose of the spring is to
provide resistance against the downward force of the user and to return the blade to an
elevated position. By keeping the blade elevated a document can be easily inserted into the
punching area.
Figure 9 – Spring in Compressed Position
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Staples 3-Hole Punch
Main Components
2.2.4 Thumbscrew
The thumbscrews are to fasten the guides securely to the
base. When loosened, they allow the guides to slide along the
metal tabs on the base to adjust the punching location.
Figure 10 – Thumbscrew Removed
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