Chapter IV: Part 4

The distributor bar is suspended between the distributor screws, and is fastened to the distributor beam by two machine screws, and held rigid by dowel pins.

There are seven combination rails along the bar. These combination rails are cut away in various places, and certain of the rails or combinations terminate directly above each channel in the magazine entrance. The V-shaped end of the matrices have combinations or distributing teeth which engage these rails. The bar is adjusted to proper height and position so that the matrices, leaving the top rails of the distributor box, do not bind on the aligning plate at the back of the bar above the rails. These adjusting screws are in the top of the distributor beam and rest on the yoke. On the later machines the side-wise adjustment is made by an adjusting screw fastened to the beam and banking against the right side of the yoke.

Each matrix has a combination corresponding to the combination cut on the bar. The matrix is conveyed along the bar by the distributor screws. As soon as the matrix reaches the end of the rail corresponding to the combination on the matrix, it drops into the channel, which guides it into the magazine.

CHANNEL ENTRANCE

The channel entrance is connected to the rear end of the magazine on the magazine frame by two hinge screws. The entrance is held in position by a spring at the right side and fastened to the magazine frame.

The channel entrance consists of a number of flexible partitions, which are assembled in the channel entrance partition plate, and act as a guide for the matrices as they fall from the distributor bar into the magazine.

Each partition rests against the side of a tooth in the automatic stopping bar. If matrices become clogged in the entrance guides, they pile up until they come in contact with the distributor screws. This forces the partitions against the teeth of the automatic stopping bar which causes the distributor driving mechanism to stop.

At the bottom of the channel entrance, on each side, and banking against the magazine frame, are two adjusting screws which are used to adjust the position of the channel entrance. The adjustment is made to give the matrix free movement in transferring from the channel entrance to the magazine under the channel entrance matrix guard.

The upper end of the partitions sometimes get bent to one side and thin matrices will fall into the wrong channel, causing the channel to clog. The lower end of the partitions should set so they will guide the matrices into the magazine. If they are sprung to either side they will hold the matrices and keep them from entering the magazine, causing the matrices to clog in the channel.

As the matrices are carried along the distributor bar by the screws, there should be 1/16 of an inch between the bottom of a matrix suspended on the distributor bar and the top of the channel entrance partitions. Adjust, on models 1, 2, and 3, by the two screws in the magazine frame which rest against the magazine supporting rods. Care must be used in turning these screws, as they move the magazine also.

On Model 5 or later machines, this adjustment is set at the factory, so it is rarely necessary to change it.

DISTRIBUTOR SCREWS

The conveyor screws are assembled on the distributor beam. Two of these screws are in front of the distributor bar and one in the back. As soon as the matrix leaves the distributor box it is conveyed along the bar.

On the right-hand end of the screws are the driving gears which are pinned to the screw shaft. These gears are properly timed at the factory so as to carry the matrix in a vertical position without bending.

There is a small pin projecting between two of the teeth of one gear which must mesh with a tooth of its companion gear which is partly cut away. This prevents the gears turning when they are improperly timed.

This timing is readily accomplished by forming a small triangle with the pins in the end of the gears and the openings in the gears, or by placing the points of the upper and lower screws on the right end in the same relative position before connecting the gears with the distributor clutch shaft and gear.

Do not raise the back distributor screw while there are matrices on the bar, as it is difficult to get their lugs in the right threads again.

In closing the back screw see that the pin in the gear matches with the short tooth in the front gear.

The old distributor screws were pitched four threads to the inch. The new distributor screws have a much wider pitch, two threads to the inch, consequently the matrices are moved along the bar twice as fast to their respective channels. They are called “two-pitch screws.”

The two-pitch screws keep the matrices widely separated on the bar, permitting a freer distribution of large matrices.

DISTRIBUTOR SCREW GUARD

The distributor screw guard is suspended between the front conveyor screws and fits over the lower screw. This guard is for the purpose of deflecting the matrix away from the lower screw as it drops from the combination bar.

On models 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 18, and 19, this guard is fastened by two nuts to the two machine screws projecting through the front side of the combination bar.

On models 8, 14, and 14-s-k this guard is loose, working on a fulcrum rod, and operated by the distributor screw guard lever and the right-hand locating bar. The lever is fastened to the right-hand magazine frame guide by a fulcrum screw. Whenever the locating levers are shifted for the purpose of raising or lowering the magazine frames, a screw on the right-hand locating lever moves against the guard lever and forces the guard upward. If there are any matrices on the combination bar when attempting to change the position of the magazines, this guard will strike them, and prevent the guard from making the full upward stroke. Retarding the bar prevents the locating levers and blocks from moving far enough to clear the bar stops, thus not permitting the magazine frame to be moved.

If the magazine frames were changed with matrices on the bar, these matrices would drop in the magazine that was in operating position, causing wrong fonts in the magazine.

DISTRIBUTOR CLUTCH

The distributor screws are driven by a friction plate, keyed to the distributor clutch shaft, and held against the face of the distributor driving pulley by a spring inside of the distributor clutch flange. This allows the clutch to slip when anything binds the distributor screws.

The clutch shaft, operated by the friction plate, drives the distributor screws by means of small gears which are timed so that the matrices will hang perpendicular from the distributor bar.

To remove the distributor clutch, loosen the small screw on the distributor clutch lever, and remove the clutch rod, spring, and lever. Remove the hexagon head machine screw that holds the clutch bracket to the distributor beam. Insert a screw driver between the bracket and the beam at the upper end and pry the bracket away from the beam. Lift the bracket off over the end of the shaft. Remove the screw in the washer on the end of the clutch shaft. Take out the spring which is behind the washer. The friction plate and pulley can then be removed over the end of the shaft.

The friction plate should be kept free from oil at all times. There is an oil hole in the flange of the pulley which should not be overlooked when oiling. This hole should be kept stopped with a counter sunk screw to prevent the oil working out on the drive belt.

DISTRIBUTOR STOPPING MECHANISM

The stopping bar is on the magazine channel entrance, and is operated by the partitions and a spring hooked on the stopping bar and the frame of the channel entrance.

The right side of the small teeth on the stopping bar should touch each partition (which is flexible). When a matrix fails to enter the magazine, the channel becomes clogged. This causes the matrices to bind on the distributor screws which moves the partition to the right, throwing the stopping bar from the clutch plate. This allows the clutch lever screw to catch the clutch flange collar, force the friction plate away from the driving pulley, and stop the distributor.

The clutch plate is held by two screws to the distributor clutch lever.

The stopping bar should rest 1/32 of an inch on the clutch plate. Adjust by loosening the screws which hold the plate. The holes in the plate are elongated, to permit the plate being moved sidewise.

When adjusting be sure that the partitions are straight and touching the teeth of the stopping bar on the right side. If not, when straightening, they would cause the stopping bar to rest on the clutch plate more than it should. This would prevent the clutch lever and screw going into action instantly, which would cause thin matrices to bend if caught.

THE SPIRAL AUTOMATIC

The new style distributor screw driving mechanism is termed the spiral automatic.

The spiral automatic does away with the channel entrance stopping bar and flexible entrance partitions. The channel entrances of the new style are equipped with fixed partitions which can not become bent, damaged or twisted out of adjustment by the action of the distributing mechanism. Some of the features are: The channel entrance partitions are thinner, allowing large matrices to pass freely through the channels. The partitions are more rigid, although thinner, because they are fixed and supported their entire length. The entrance once set, does not have to be readjusted for different sizes of matrices.

The partitions have guides at their lower end, which are arranged to direct the various matrices into their respective channels by having contact with the lugs instead of the body of the matrix, giving the minimum amount of friction.

Two rotary wedges are pinned to the right end of the two front distributor screw shafts. These wedges are placed so the thin edge of one wedge is opposite the thick edge of the other. These wedges rotate with the screws.

The small timing gear on the lower front distributor screw is loose on the shaft. A connection between the screw and the gear is made by two parallel pins, one on the gear and the other on the wedge. These pins are held together by a spiral spring. The tension of the spring should be so the slightest drag on the lower screw would allow the pins to separate.

When anything binds or retards the revolution of the lower screw, the two parallel pins separate, which changes the relation of the wedges, causing them to lock. This locking of the wedges stops the distributor screws and releases the tension of the clutch flange on the distributor washer clutch flange permitting the driving pulley to run free.

Assembled on the distributor clutch pulley washer clutch flange are two distributor clutch stops. These are called left-hand stops. Fastened to the distributor clutch flange are two distributor clutch stops. These are called right-hand stops.

When the distributor is operating, the right-hand stops are held on the left-hand stops by two spiral springs. One end of each spring is fastened to an adjustable spring collar that slips over the distributor clutch flange; the other ends are fastened to the pulley washer clutch flange. These stops force the pulley washer flange against the driving pulley, operating the distributor.

The tension of these spiral springs should be just tight enough to hold the stops together. When the spiral locks, the tension of the spring should permit the right stops to leave the left, releasing the pressure on the driving pulley.

The tension of these springs can be adjusted by releasing the clamping screw in the spring collar and turning the collar.

Remember that anything binding the lower screw will prevent the distributor from operating.

A matrix not lifting properly, a dry distributor shaft bearing, or the front rails of the distributor box bearing against the lower screw will cause the screw to drag and stop.

If the spiral spring that holds the two pins together is too strong, matrix ears or lugs will be bent. The spring, when at its proper tension, should not bind the ears or lugs of the matrices when they drag the lower screw.

When having trouble with the spiral automatic, do not change the spring tension unless you are sure that it is necessary to do so.

The tension of the two springs, which hold the stops on the clutch flange and washer flange, should be just strong enough to keep the stops together. Too much spring tension will have a tendency to bend matrices or prevent the proper working of the spiral.

To remove the distributor clutch flange and washer clutch flange on a machine with the spiral automatic: Loosen the small screw on the distributor clutch lever, and remove the clutch rod and lever. Remove the two headless screws in the knurled lever flange on the end of the clutch flange shaft. Remove the hexagon head machine screw that holds the clutch bracket to the distributor beam. Insert a screwdriver between the bracket and the beam at the upper end and pry the bracket away from the beam. Lift the bracket off over the end of the shaft. Remove the flat headed screw in the washer on the end of the clutch flange shaft. Take out the spring which is behind the washer. Take off the clutch flange shaft, stops and springs, assembled. Unscrew the clutch pulley washer flange stop screw. The clutch pulley washer flange can now be removed.

DISTRIBUTOR BOX

After the line has been transferred from the first elevator jaws to the second elevator bar it is carried by the second elevator lever to the distributor box. The distributor box contains the upper and lower rails, tilting rails, matrix lift, font distinguisher, box bar and point assembled, safety spring, lift cam lever, lift lever, lift hinge pin, lift lever spring, lift spring, lift cam roll, and matrix lift adjusting screw.

When the matrices are transferred from the second elevator bar to the box bar they are supported at their lower end, by the tilting rails. These rails release the strain on the matrix combination, and also prevent matrices falling from the bar if there is any space between the two bars.

To assure a good alignment of the two bars, the box bar pin hole at the left is elongated, allowing play to the bar, which permits the teeth of the second elevator bar to align easily with the box bar.

Matrices, coming into the box, hang to the rails on the box bar by their teeth until they reach the vertical face of the box rails. There are two upper and two lower rails held to the box plates (front and back) by dowel pins and screws, so that the matrix will align perfectly with all four rails and the bar point at the right end of the box.

The rails must align the matrix to clear the distributor screws and the aligning plate on the combination bar without binding. The matrix must also pass between the vertical face of the rails and the bar point. If these rails become worn, they will permit more than one thin matrix to pass the bar point, or will not lift the matrix so it will clear the screws properly, because of the unevenness of the vertical face of the rails. This will bend the ears of the matrix and stop the distributor.

The only remedy for worn rails is to apply new ones. Four new rails must be applied, as the vertical faces of all the four rails wear, and this is the only method of obtaining the proper alignment again.

A safety spring is pinned in a grooved part of the upper front rail at the right end to prevent matrices turning and getting caught by the lift when the shifter is suddenly withdrawn. It is only the matrix ready to be lifted that need be held by the spring.

As the matrices are lifted by the matrix lift they must pass between the vertical face on the rails and the bar point. All matrices are the same thickness where they pass this point. There is just sufficient space between the rails and the bar point for but one thin matrix to pass when lifted by the matrix lift. If the bar point becomes worn or broken it will permit more than one thin matrix to be lifted to the distributor screws, resulting in the clogging of the channel entrance or bending the matrix.

When the bar point becomes worn a new one should be applied. A new bar point can be applied by removing the bar, and, with a small nail set, driving out the two pins that hold the bar point. Put the new point in its proper position, place the bar in the box, and test with a thin matrix by raising the lift. The matrix should pass the point without binding. When the point is set properly, remove the bar from the box and drill two holes for the pins. Sometimes the bar point can be drawn out a little by peening it with a small machinist hammer. However, extreme care must be used, so the bar rails will not be damaged by the hammer. Just a few light taps of the hammer should be sufficient.

The font distinguisher is placed in the lower right end of the box, between the two lower rails. All the matrices must pass this distinguisher. When properly adjusted, it will stop all matrices of a different font size to the one being used, or one of the same font turned backwards. To change font distinguisher, turn the stud one complete turn for each size. Turn the stud to the left for a smaller size and to the right for a larger size.

On the multiple magazine machines the font distinguisher is automatically changed when changing the position of the magazines.

Matrices must never be driven over the point of the distinguisher when they stop in the box, but should be pushed to the second elevator bar and the wrong font or the turned matrix removed. Driving a matrix over the font distinguisher not only damages the matrix, but it also often breaks the font distinguisher and causes serious damage to the box by throwing the various parts out of their proper alignment. When this happens it is almost impossible to get the box back into proper shape.

The matrix lift mechanism is composed of the matrix lift lever, the matrix lift cam lever, matrix lift spring, matrix lift cushion spring, matrix lift hinge pin, matrix lift cam roll, and the matrix lift.

This matrix lift is at the right end of the box and is held to the lift lever by a fulcrum screw and forced against the font distinguisher block by a small coil spring. The lift should set so the back of the shoulder aligns with the vertical face of the rails. If by any accident it is forced out of alignment to the left, the lift cannot engage the bottom of the matrices and lift them over the vertical face of the rails.

The shoulder and seat of the lift should be kept free from gum or dirt so the matrices will not slip off while being raised. When the shoulder and seat of the lift wear so that it will lift two thin matrices or lift them crooked, the lift must be replaced by a new one.

The cam lever and lift lever are connected by a cushion spring which absorbs the movement of the cam lever, if the lever hangs up. There is an adjusting screw in the matrix lift lever which permits the lift lever to be raised or lowered.

The matrix lift must raise the lugs of the matrices clear of the vertical face of the box rails. If it does not do this, thin matrices, when being moved by the distributor screws, would be forced against the screws and become damaged. To adjust the lift, turn the distributor screws by hand until the cam roller is at the low part of the cam, place a thin matrix in the distributor box against the vertical face of the rails, then adjust screw until the shoulder of the lift is not more than 1/64 of an inch under the bottom of the matrix. The lift then should raise the matrix 1/32 of an inch above the top rails in the distributor box when the cam roller is at the highest part of the cam. After adjusting the lift, be sure that the adjusting screw locknut is tight.

The buffer of the distributor shifter should come in the box almost to the distributor lift, but should never come in far enough to engage the lift. The distance the shifter can travel into the box is regulated by a stop screw which sets in the shifter slideway. However, this screw sometimes gets broken off, comes out, or is worn off. This would allow the shifter buffer to engage the lift and cause undue wear.

LOWER DISTRIBUTOR BOX

For Models 2 and 4

On the upper distributor of a Model 2 or 4 the matrices are raised over the rails by the matrix lift, the same as on any other model. The upper portion of the inclined rails, however, are cut away. There is a bridge on the upper distributor box on which the matrices for the upper magazine ride until they catch on the distributor bar. The matrices for the lower magazines have a slot in the bottom so that they will not ride on the bridge. They fall from the upper box, through a chute, into the lower box, where they are separated and delivered to the lower distributor rail.

Care should be taken to see that the box escapements (or matrix lift) work freely at all times. If dirt is allowed to accumulate, the escapements will not work freely; the matrices will be prevented from separating and cause them to clog in the box.

To adjust the escapement pawls (or matrix lift) in a lower box, turn the screws until the matrix lift lever cam roll rides in the lower part of the cam. Adjust with the adjusting screw until the point of the male pawl clears the bottom of the slot in the matrix about 1/64 of an inch. See that the male pawl does not become bent; this point should admit a thin matrix only between both pawls. The female pawl must have a retaining hold on the matrix of at least 1/32 of an inch when the male pawl is adjusted to clear the bottom of the slot.

DISTRIBUTOR BOX MATRIX LIFT CAM

This cam is fastened to the distributor back screw by means of a taper pin. There is no adjustment of the cam. It should not be detached unless badly worn, and then it should be replaced by a new one.

To apply a new cam: Drive out taper pin and slip cam off the shaft, placing a new one on the shaft in such a position that the holes in the cam will match with the hole in the shaft. Use an 8 x 32 headless screw to hold the cam in position. Put a thick matrix with a full size lug in the box in the regular way. See that the lift is adjusted to raise the matrix 1/32 of an inch above the upper rails. Then turn the distributor screws by hand, and when the matrix starts to raise and enter the screws, the side of the matrix opposite the distributor shifter should clear the threads on the distributor screws 1/32 of an inch. If the matrix does not clear the threads 1/32 of an inch, loosen the small screw in the cam, turn the cam so that when the matrix lift starts to raise the matrix it will clear the threads properly. Fasten the cam securely with the screw, and then run through a few lines to make sure that the cam is set right. Then drill a hole in the shaft and fasten with a pin.

Before applying a new matrix lift cam, make sure that the upper and lower rails in the box are not worn; if worn, renew the rails before applying the new cam. It is seldom necessary to replace a lift cam, due to the small amount of wear the cam undergoes.

DISTRIBUTOR TROUBLES

Considerable annoyance and lost time is caused by distributor troubles. Some of the most frequent troubles may be traced to the following:

The lifting of two thin matrices to the distributor is caused by having too much space between the end of the bar point and the vertical face of the rails, due to worn rails or bar point, or both.

Bent matrices are caused by the rails being worn, worn bar point, matrix lift out of adjustment, worn lift cam, safety spring broken or not functioning, conveyer screws out of time.

Matrices may drop in the wrong channel of the magazine if the flexible guides become bent. If the lugs of the matrices are thicker than those regularly running in that channel, the matrices will clog in the entrance and stop the distributor.

The back conveyer screw, being set too far from the front screws, will cause the matrices to fall in the wrong channel or twist as they leave the distributor box rails. Adjust the screw with the two adjusting screws at each end of the conveyer screw bearing.

A floor that is uneven or shaky will cause the matrices to drop in the wrong channel.

Matrices will drop on top of the partitions or in the wrong channel if the distributor beam is out of adjustment. Adjust with the screw that is fastened to the beam at the front and banks against the right side of the yoke.

Matrices with damaged or worn distributing teeth or combinations will drop in the wrong channel.

The matrix combinations, a very important part of the matrix, is sufficient under ordinary conditions to last for years. It is possible, however, to ruin a set of combinations in a very short time. The causes are almost always due to bad alignment at one or possibly all of the various transfers. The matrices are transferred at three distinct points, where the combinations are involved.

The first transfer is from the first elevator jaws onto the second elevator bar at the intermediate transfer channel. The line of matrices, when in position at this transfer point, should line up with the bar so they will have a perfect transfer to the bar without binding. Use the set screw at the bottom of the first elevator slide on the right hand side to raise or lower the slide for the proper alignment. This alignment should be as nearly perfect as possible. If the second elevator bracket and bar do not seat properly on the intermediate channel rails, or if these rails are out of true or worn, the trouble should be remedied so the bar will align properly for the transfer. The bar should be perfectly smooth and free from burrs, and should be held tight against the bracket plate by the two flat head screws that extend through the plate.

The second transfer is from the second elevator bar to the distributor box bar. The second elevator, when in its normal position, should be adjusted so the second elevator bar will line up with the distributor box bar. The distributor box bar should be perfectly smooth and free from burrs.

The third transfer is from the distributor box rails to the combination bar. The distributor box rails should be perfectly square with each other. The matrices should transfer freely from the distributor box rails to the combination rails on the bar. There must be perfect alignment at all of these points of transfer, or undue wear on the matrix combinations will result.

Matrices with damaged combination teeth, or with small burrs on the teeth, will not drop squarely between the flexible guides or will wobble as they leave the bar, and cause distributor stops. This trouble can usually be remedied by dressing the burrs off the teeth with a fine file. Be very careful not to dress the teeth below the plane of the surface of the matrices. Also make sure that there are no burrs on the combinations where the teeth are supposed to be cut away.

The distributor screws must be kept clean and free from oil at all times, or the dirt and oil will be transferred onto the matrices and into the magazine.

Battered ears or lugs on the matrices will cause distributor stops. The ears of the offending matrices should be examined, and if it is found they are battered out of shape or increased in thickness, they should be carefully dressed down with a very fine file or a matrix file gauge to their original thickness. Care should be taken to see that the edges or sides of the matrix bodies are not altered. When the ears of the matrices become bent they can be straightened by laying the bent matrix on a perfectly flat surface and with a pair of smooth jawed pliers straighten the matrix so it will lie flat on the surface without rocking. If it becomes necessary to straighten a matrix with a hammer care should be used to use a very light one. The shape of the matrix can be changed very easily when pounded, and the matrix can not align properly with the other matrices.

TO REMOVE A DISTRIBUTOR BOX

Back the machine until the second elevator descends from its seat. Pull down on the magazine channel entrance. (If the box is equipped with the automatic font distinguisher, press in on the stud until the distinguisher is resting against the lower front rail of the box and turn the stud to right a quarter of a turn.) Press downward on the handle of the screw which holds the box in position and unscrew until it stops. Pull downward on the box.

Care must be used in replacing the box to seat as high as it will go and have the washer on the screw so that it clamps the box bracket to the distributor beam. Turn upward on the handle of the screw.

The new distributor box bracket is provided with pins that fit in a groove in the distributor beam to prevent the box being placed in any other than the correct position.

FIRST ELEVATOR JAWS AND SLIDE

The first elevator slide is held in place by four gibs on the vise frame so that the jaws will stand parallel with the mold. The gibs are also used for adjusting the first elevator jaws so they will just clear the delivery and the intermediate channels. The slide is operated by cam No. 1, through the first elevator and the auxiliary levers and connecting link.

The first elevator jaws are attached to the top of the first elevator slide. They carry the line of matrices to the casting position and then to the second elevator. When the matrices have entered the first elevator jaws they are in position with their face toward the mold. The elevator slide travels down to the vise, the mold advances and the lower lugs of the matrices enter the groove of the mold, the elevator raises for alignment and lifts the line up against the aligning groove, or mold keeper, of the mold for casting.

As the first elevator jaws descend to the vise cap, the center screw in the top of the first elevator slide strikes on the vise cap and regulates the distance from the lugs of the matrices to the aligning groove in the mold when the mold slide advances.

There should be 1/64 of an inch space between the bottom of the center screw and vise cap when first elevator is lifted for alignment. If the center screw is not properly adjusted, when the mold advances the lower lugs on the matrices would be sheared. An entire font of matrices might be ruined in a very short time in this manner.

To test this adjustment, place a good matrix in the first elevator jaws, turn the machine until the adjusting screw is resting on the vise cap, disconnect the mold slide and bring the mold disk forward so the lug of the matrix enters the groove in the mold. Raise the elevator slide with the left hand, which raises the lug of the matrix against the aligning groove in the mold. At this point there should be 1/64 of an inch between the end of the center screw and the vise cap. If not, turn the screw with the right hand until it is resting on the vise cap. Then turn the screw to the left until it is approximately 1/64 of an inch from the vise cap.

On the older model machines this adjusting screw is ⅜ of an inch in diameter and has 16 threads to the inch. By turning the screw to the left one-quarter of a revolution, it allows the 1/64-inch adjustment. On all new machines the adjusting screw is ½ inch in diameter and has 12 threads to the inch. Turning the screw one-fifth of a revolution allows the 1/64-inch adjustment.

As the mold disk moves forward the elevator jaws raise for alignment, the lower lugs of the matrices being raised against the aligning groove in the mold. The locking stud blocks receive the mold disk locking studs so that the mold sets parallel with the side of the vise. The elevator should be adjusted so that the jaws will be parallel with the mold.

If the jaws are not parallel with the mold the face alignment on the slug will not be straight.

The method of testing this adjustment is made by setting the vise jaws to 30 picas, placing a good matrix in each end of the first elevator jaws. Let the first elevator jaws down on the vise cap. Disconnect the mold slide; bring the mold slide forward by hand. Be sure it comes over the lugs of the matrices without binding, as the matrices must be free. To test the alignment, raise the first elevator by hand, thus raising the lugs of the matrices up against the aligning groove in the mold. If the matrix on the right-hand side is found to be tight, and the one on the left-hand side is found to be loose, this proves that the first elevator jaws are not parallel with the mold. The four gibs act as a guide for the elevator slide. If the matrix on the left-hand side is loose, the two top gibs should be moved to the right, and the two bottom gibs moved to the left.

In taking down or erecting a machine, do not disturb the two gibs on the right-hand side. Leave them for a guide to adjust the other two gibs. On machines that have the inclined galley it is necessary to remove the right-hand gib to remove the galley bracket, but as it is doweled, it is impossible to get it back into the wrong position.

The elevator jaw must be adjusted so as to clear the intermediate and delivery channels without binding. If it is too far away, move all four gibs exactly the same distance.

The first elevator jaws should align with the second elevator bar when the first elevator is at its full up-stroke, so that the matrices will pass freely from the first to the second elevator. When the first elevator goes to the slide guide, the square head adjusting screw on the bottom of the slide comes in contact with the vise frame, regulates the height to which the elevator raises, the screw holding the slide, and the spring in the connecting link being compressed to take up the extra movement of the elevator lever.

Unless the matrices transfer freely from the first elevator jaws to the second elevator bar, the combinations would soon become damaged, causing poor distribution.

Test by transferring a line from the jaws to the bar by hand. If the line of matrices moves onto the bar without dragging, the adjustment need not be disturbed.

Whenever it is necessary to make this adjustment, place the machine in transfer position, place a matrix that has all the combinations, in the first elevator jaws against the spring pawls; place a piece of white paper in the spaceband box, at the end of the spaceband lever pawl; lay an electric light on the transfer channel; close one eye, looking through the first elevator from the left end with the other; adjust with the screw on the bottom of the first elevator slide, at the right side, so the combinations on the matrix align with grooves on the second elevator bar. The final test for this adjustment, is to transfer the line as above stated. The line must transfer without dragging. Use the adjusting screw until this is accomplished.

Before making the adjustment be sure the first elevator jaws are not loose on the slide, that the left end of the second elevator bar is not battered, that the second elevator plate is not loose, or worn, that the second elevator is adjusted properly, that there is no dirt or gum holding the second elevator from seating, that there is no metal on top of the adjusting screw, that the screw which holds the first elevator slide stop is not loose. See that the transfer slide finger is not bent.

FIRST ELEVATOR JAWS

The first elevator jaws consist of the front and back jaws, the jaw spring pawls, duplex rail, duplex rail levers and springs, separating block, and line stop.

The two jaws are held together by two screws extending through the separating block. On the right-hand end of the jaws are the spring pawls. The pawl for the back jaw is held in a slot by two small screws and projects through to the front. The front jaw pawl is grooved and held in place by two screws and a plate, and projects through to the back. These two pawls retain the matrices after they have entered the jaws. Should they break or become inoperative, the matrices would have a tendency to jump out of the jaws just before entering the vise jaws or while going to transfer position in the top guide. A broken pawl sometimes will catch the line of matrices and prevent it from passing into the jaws. To renew the front pawl, release the two small screws that hold the plate and slip the pawl toward the right. The back pawl can be changed by taking out the two small screws that hold it in position.

The first elevator front jaw is equipped with a duplex rail for the purpose of holding the front lugs of the matrices in a raised position to cast a line of matrices in auxiliary position. This rail is held in position by two springs which are fastened to the two duplex rail levers. The rail is automatically retracted when the elevator rises to the slide guide, by the upper ends of the rail levers being pressed back by two operating blocks which are assembled on the adjusting strip of the slide guide. This backward movement of the rail permits the matrices to drop to normal position for the transfer.

If a squirt occurs and the metal gets in around the duplex rails or on the first elevator jaws, it will prevent the rail from being retracted. This will prevent the elevator slide from going high enough for the matrices to be transferred. Never remove metal from the jaws with a screwdriver or a piece of steel. A piece of brass rule will answer the purpose and will not damage the jaws when driving out the metal.

The duplex rail sometimes becomes battered or bent through the carelessness of the operator in sending in tight lines. The rail can be taken out and smoothed up by taking the jaws off the slide and removing the plate at the bottom of the front jaw.

The back jaw should be examined frequently for burrs or a sprung jaw. If the jaw becomes sprung outward it will permit the end matrix to crawl up in the jaws and the lugs will be sheared or bent as the mold slide comes forward for the lockup. There should be just enough space between the jaws for a matrix to pass in without binding, but not enough to allow the matrix to be raised past the duplex rail, from lower to auxiliary position. If the jaw is bent inward, the spaceband can not operate freely. Never pry out on the jaws with a screw driver when there is a squirt holding the jaws to the disc of the mold cap, for there is a chance of bending the back jaw.

Whenever the jaws are held on the vise cap after a squirt, always remove the screws from the back jaws, take off the jaw guard on the vise cap and let the vise down. This method will prevent springing the jaw because the back jaw will hang to the squirt when the vise is let down.

FIRST ELEVATOR JAW LINE STOP

The first elevator jaw line stop, which prevents the matrices from twisting or falling out while the line is being carried to the vise or the top guide, is found in the first elevator jaw, and is held by a clamp, spring, and nut.

The outer end of the line stop is cut away so as to clear the vise jaw, on all models except 1 and K. Always have the cut on the under side; if reversed it would strike on the vise jaw and not allow the first elevator to descend the full distance.

The inner end of the line stop should set against the first matrix on the left end of the line after the line has been justified. Do not set the clamp lock-nut tight or it will not allow the line stop to move when changing to a longer measure.

FIRST ELEVATOR SLIDE CONNECTING LINK

The first elevator slide connecting link is the connection between the first elevator slide and the first elevator lever, and is fastened to the slide by a pin extending through an eyebolt and to the first elevator lever by a wing pin extending through an eyebolt.

The first elevator jaws should not be more than 1/64 of an inch lower than the grooves in the delivery channel. Make this adjustment by turning the connecting link casing.

The connecting link is constructed of a casing or tube, inside of which is a compression spring. This spring is held in place at the bottom by a movable nut inside of the lower end of the casing, and by a screw cap at the top of the casing. The movable nut has a slot on one side which fits over a pin in the casing. This prevents the nut from turning except when the casing is turned. The casing also has a screw cap on the lower end, through which an eyebolt passes. The lower eyebolt screws into the movable nut inside the casing, against which the spring rests. At the top of the casing is another eyebolt which screws into the top screw cap.

The upper eyebolt is ¾ of an inch from the inner edge of the hole to the shoulder of the upper cap, and the lower eyebolt 13/16 of an inch from the inner edge of the hole to the shoulder of the bushing when applied to the machine, making 8½ inches from center to center of the holes in the eyebolts. The lower eyebolt is 1/16 of an inch longer than the upper eyebolt. As the upper eyebolt has a left-hand thread and the lower eyebolt a right-hand thread, the lower eyebolt still remains 1/16 of an inch longer than the upper eyebolt, and still retains the same compression on the spring when it becomes necessary to turn the connecting link a trifle to raise or lower the elevator.

The alignment of the matrices takes place as the elevator raises the lugs of the matrices up against the aligning groove of the mold. By the lower eyebolt passing through the clearance hole in the screw cap when the alignment takes place, the lower nut is lifted against the spring inside the casing and the spring compresses just enough to align the lugs of the matrices in the groove of the mold. This holds the line against the mold by spring tension. If the connecting link was a solid piece, when the line was raised to the mold it would lock so tight that in a short time the lugs would be worn, causing a bad alignment of the matrices. The object of the spring inside the casing is to prevent this wear. Having the lower eyebolt 1/16 of an inch longer than the upper, the correct compression of the spring is given. The elevator, when it raises from the vise for alignment with no matrices, is raised nearly ⅓ of an inch. Notice the difference with a line of matrices in the elevator. It is held at the mold by the lugs of the matrices, the compression spring in the link taking up the extra motion of the first elevator lever.

AUXILIARY LEVER

The distance from center to center of the holes should measure 8½ inches when the link has been properly adjusted. If the first elevator jaws do not come within 1/64 of an inch of aligning with delivery slide channel after the connecting link has been adjusted and applied to the machine, adjust the slide with the auxiliary lever. This is necessary to compensate for wear on the face of cam No. 1 and the auxiliary lever roller. By loosening the connecting screw in the side of the auxiliary lever, make the adjustment by turning the adjusting screw in the front side of the auxiliary lever. Never try to make this adjustment with the connecting screw tight, as the lug of the auxiliary lever is liable to be broken.

THE SECOND ELEVATOR

The second elevator consists of two levers, connected by a bolt and cushion spring. The short lever carries a roller which operates on cam No. 6. The short lever operates the long lever, to carry the matrices from the first elevator to the distributor box. On the outer end of the second elevator lever is the bar plate and second elevator bar. The matrices are held on this bar by their combination teeth. On the right-hand end of the second elevator bar plate is a stop pawl. The stop pawl prevents the matrices being pushed too far to the right during the transfer from the first elevator to the second elevator, and keeps the matrices from striking the distributor box bar when the second elevator is being raised to its upper position.

When the elevator is at transfer point, the roller should be free of the cam. Adjust by the nut on the connecting bolt which connects the two levers. This is to assure the elevator seating in its proper position on the transfer channel to receive the line of matrices from the first elevator. The machine should be in normal position, the automatic stopping pawl resting on the upper stopping lever, when making this adjustment. With the machine in normal position, adjust so the connecting bolt is free to turn, with no end play between the head of the bolt and the adjusting nut. When this adjustment is properly made, and the machine is turned to transfer position, the roller will be free of the cam. When in normal position the second elevator bar will align with the bar of the distributor box. Unless the connecting bolt is free to turn when the machine is in normal position, the second elevator will not be properly seated in the distributor shifter guide, and the second elevator and distributor box bars will not align.

SECOND ELEVATOR STARTING SPRING

Located just inside the machine frame, near cam No. 2, and connected to the short lever of the second elevator, is the second elevator starting spring and rod. When the second elevator is at transfer point the adjusting nut should touch the spring. The spring is to start the elevator down and prevent sticking at the distributor.

The most tension is on the spring when the machine is at normal position and as the cam revolves, the second elevator cam lever will get its proper movement when going to transfer position. The spring also causes a steady movement of the second elevator lever when going from transfer to normal position. This adjustment has become obsolete on the new machines.

SECOND ELEVATOR SAFETY CATCH

On the end of the second elevator lever, near cam No. 10, either beneath or at the back side of the shaft, is a projection for the purpose of preventing the elevator from falling and being damaged should anything catch or hold the lever momentarily from following the cam. This projection engages with a safety pawl on the machine frame. This pawl must be released before the lever roller can rest on the cam. When the elevator descends at its regular time, the safety catch is held open by a raised piece on the surface of cam No. 10.

MAIN CAMS

The main cams control the movements of the various levers of the machine and their operations are dependent on these cams.

The assembling and distributing mechanisms alone are independent of the main cams.

Standing at the rear of the machine and counting from the right, the cams have the following action: Cam No. 1 is the first elevator cam. This cam operates the first elevator slide, through the auxiliary and first elevator levers, by means of a connection made by a connecting link. This cam lowers the first elevator slide and jaws with the matrix line to the mold and then lifts it to the intermediate channel for the transfer to the second elevator bar. The elevator has five changes of position in the casting of the line.

The second is the distributor shifter cam. This cam is inside the frame of the machine, under cam No. 3, and to which it is fastened with two dowel pins and a screw. This cam operates the distributor shifter for transferring the matrices from the second elevator bar to the distributor box and forcing the matrix line against the matrix lift. This action is produced by a rider assembled in the distributor shifter hub which is fastened by a shaft to the mold gear arm. The rider is brought up against the face of this cam by a coil spring which is fastened to the lower end of the hub and to the frame of the machine. Assembled with the rider in the hub is a cushion spring that takes care of any undue strain that might occur in the action of the cams.

The third is the mold turning cam. The two gear segments attached to this cam impart rotation to the mold turning pinion which in turn revolves the mold disk. The short segment engages the pinion and turns the disk one-quarter revolution, bringing the mold in position to receive the line of matrices. The long segment in turn brings the disk and mold to ejecting position, completing the revolution of the cams.

The fourth (a part of cam No. 3) is the vise closing and second justification cam. The lever, directly under this cam, has a roller that follows the contour of the cam. A heavy coil spring beneath the lever presses the roller against the cam. The lever is forked at the front end and actuates the vise closing mechanism, and also acts with the justification lever in making the second justification.

The fifth is the justification lever cam. The lever directly under this cam has a roller that follows the contour of the cam. The heavy coil spring beneath the lever presses the roller against the contour of this cam, justifying the line of matrices by forcing the spacing mechanism against the spacebands. This lever in its downward motion operates the slug lever.

The sixth (a part of cam No. 5) is the second elevator cam, which operates the second elevator arm by means of a roller following the contour of this cam. This arm, to which the lever is fastened, lowers the second elevator to receive the line of matrices at the transfer position and then raises them to the distributor box.

The seventh is the pot pump cam and operates the pump lever. There is a roller on this lever resting against the face of the cam. This lever forces the metal into the mold cell as the cam revolves to the low portion. The lever is forced down by a strong spring. The new style pot pump lever is connected to its shaft and has a lever extending into the column. It is pulled downward by a stiff coil spring.