8.6 Types of Office Machines and Furniture The main types of machines you are likely to find inmost offices area) Photocopiers: This is a machine used to copy from original documents. The original document maybe handwritten, printed or typewritten. Photocopiers are used to prepare extra copies of documents. b) Facsimile (Fax) MachineThis machine scans printed, typewritten texts and images and transmits them through telephone lines to a receiving fax machine that converts the electronic signals back to the original text or image. The machine converts printed material or images into electronic signals. Suitable transmission through telephone lines, cables or satellite networks, facsimile machines could store messages and transmit them later, when transmission costs are lower. c) Calculating MachineThis is used mainly in the office for calculations and complex computations. db Cash register This is used in the cash office to receive cash and compute cash received from clients/customers. They are also used for computations. e) Paper Shredders used in shredding unneeded documents to protect against leakage of contents in the process of disposal. f) Computers: Perhaps the most common equipment in modern offices. It is used for data and word processing, document storage, communication, presentation, etc. g) Scanners:Used for scanning images of documents to computers for printing, storage, display or communication via the internet. h) Binding Machine used for putting sheets of documents or contents of a file together. i) Typewriters: used for typing documents. Its use is fast becoming obsolete. j) Paper cutter and Envelope Opener: Paper cutters are used for trimming the edges of documents to make them neater, while envelope openers are used for opening envelope neatly to ensure that the content and envelope itself are not damaged. k) Laminating Machines: Machines used for burning waterproof material to documents for preservation purposes. lb Perforators: used for punching holes into document to make attachment to file neater. m)