Part 9

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.

The eighth is the pot cam, which acts on the pot lever, forcing the mouth of the pot forward against the mold. There are two shoes on this cam. The first or short shoe is to cause the face alignment; the second or long shoe is to lock the pot firmly against the mold before the slug is cast. A roller is carried in the pot lever and follows the contour of this cam and is the medium through which the above lockup is accomplished.

The ninth is the mold slide cam and driving gear. The right side of this gear is channeled out, and carries the mold slide lever roller which operates the mold slide to advance the mold disk to a position in which the lugs of the matrices are held in the groove of the mold for alignment. It also returns the mold disk after the line has been cast, advances it again to ejecting position, and returns it after the slug is ejected. This gear also carries the pot return cam, which withdraws the pot from the mold after the cast. It also carries the ejector cam which engages the pawl on the ejector lever and moves it forward, ejecting the slug from the mold.

The tenth cam operates the delivery slide and transfer cam roller arms and causes these two parts to return to normal position after their respective movements. The delivery slide cam roller rotates on the outer surface, while the transfer slide cam roller acts on the inner surface. This cam also retracts the ejector lever after the slug has been ejected. The automatic safety and stopping pawls are attached to this cam. They are operated by the transfer slide and the delivery slide rollers. This cam really consists of two parts in one, the outer cam controlling the return of the delivery slide and the inner one controlling the return of the transfer slide lever.

The cams are all fastened together by four long bolts extending from cam No. 2 and ending at cam No. 9. They are all keyed to the main shaft and held in place by a set screw under cam No. 7. The cams can be shifted a little sidewise but should set against a collar on the left side of the main shaft under cam No. 2. Cam No. 10 is held in place by a key on the shaft and a set nut and is kept from working toward the left by a locating piece fastened to the main shaft.

The cams should be kept clean to prevent undue wear. Under ordinary conditions, the cams should be cleaned once each week. This may be accomplished by locking the controlling lever out so the cams will continue to rotate. Then hold a rag against the surface of the cam. A small amount of a mixture of gasoline and kerosene on the rag will help to cut all dirt and grit loose from the cams, and leave the surface in good condition and reduce the wear. Cams allowed to run without being cleaned will wear very rapidly and soon cause much trouble and expense.

FIRST ELEVATOR SLIDE GUIDE

The first elevator slide guide contains the intermediate bar and pawl (assembled), adjusting screws for the same, first elevator jaw duplex rail operating blocks, and the elevator transfer slide releasing lever.

The height of the intermediate bar and pawl is adjusted by the two small screws that pass through the top and touch the bar. The purpose of the bar and pawl is to push down any spacebands that may not have dropped to normal position as the line is carried from casting position to the transfer. If the pawl was set too high, the spacebands would strike the second elevator bar, and wear the lower rail.

The bar should be set so that when the second elevator is seated at transfer position, the pawl, when raised to its highest point, will be in line with the bottom of the second elevator bar. This adjustment is made with the two screws that pass through the slide guide and touch the intermediate bar.

It is also necessary for both ends of the intermediate bar to be the same height. After adjusting the pawl, turn the machine until the transfer slide finger has entered the channel; lay a six-inch scale flat on the first elevator jaws in line with the bar, but clearing the pawl. Raise the first elevator slide by hand until the scale touches the bar. Adjust the bar horizontal with the scale by the same two screws that pass through top of the slide guide.

DUPLEX RAIL OPERATING BLOCKS

The first elevator jaw duplex rail operating blocks are fastened to the slide guide adjusting strip and have a limited adjustment, but when they are worn so they will not operate the rail properly, they should be renewed.

RELEASING LEVER

The releasing lever is for the purpose of preventing the transfer of a line in case the second elevator does not descend or seat properly. The adjusting screw in the side of the second elevator lever should raise the left end of the releasing lever 1/32 of an inch above the block on the transfer slide when the second elevator is seated in transfer position.

TRANSFER SLIDE

The transfer slide gets its motion from the transfer lever to which it is connected by means of a link.

The transfer lever gets its action from the split transfer cam lever and roller, which are held against cam No. 10 by a spring in the column.

The slide should be adjusted to allow 5-9/16 inches from the intermediate channel to slide finger. (Allow one inch more on 36-em machines). This adjustment should be made with the machine in normal position. Loosen the two screws on the split lever, move the slide finger 5-9/16 inches from the channel, and hold; then move the roller against the cam and tighten the screws. This adjustment is necessary so that a 30-em line, which measures 5 inches, will clear the transfer slide finger 5/32 of an inch. The last matrix is carried 13/32 of an inch inside the first elevator jaws. There will be a clearance of 5/32 of an inch from the first matrix and the transfer slide finger when the machine is in transfer position. Be sure the transfer finger is not bent when measuring this distance.

The cut in the slide finger should be flush with the left end of the second elevator bar plate, when it has transferred the line to the second elevator. This adjustment is made by the screw in the automatic safety pawl, which comes in contact with the buffer, on cam No. 10.

With the machine in transfer position, the cam lever roller is against the buffer in cam No. 10. The adjusting screw in the automatic safety pawl, being against the inner end of buffer, regulates the distance between the cut in the finger and second elevator bar plate. This adjustment, when properly made, insures the line being moved from the first to the second elevator. Turning the adjusting screw to the right increases the distance between the slide finger and the bar plate. Turning to the left decreases it.

The horizontal screw in the transfer slide should bank against the buffer in the spaceband lever to allow ⅛ of an inch between the cut in the slide finger and the spaceband lever pawl when the slide finger and spaceband lever pawl are at their closest point during transfer.

After the line has been transferred to the second elevator the spacebands, not having combinations, remain in the transfer channels and must be moved under the spaceband lever pawl so they can be returned to spaceband box. When the transfer cam lever roller is at the lowest part of cam No. 10, the adjusting screw in transfer slide, coming in contact with the buffer in the spaceband lever, regulates the distance between the cut in the slide finger and the bottom of the slot in the spaceband lever pawl.

SPACEBAND LEVER

The spaceband lever gets its motion from the transfer lever, through a turnbuckle which connects the transfer lever and the spaceband lever. The purpose of this form of coupling, so threaded that when connecting the two levers it may be turned to regulate the length of the connected parts, is to adjust the spaceband lever so the spaceband lever pawl will pass the highest point of the spaceband box rails, properly bringing the spacebands into the box.

Before making the spaceband lever adjustment, make sure that the transfer slide finger is properly adjusted. Then place the machine in normal position.

Adjust the turnbuckle so the hook of the pawl passes to the right of the highest point of the spaceband box rails not more than 1/16 of an inch. If there is too much space between the end of the pawl and the latch on the spaceband box, which is used as a lock, when recasting 30 ems the slide finger would move to the right against the line and force the matrix from the inner end of the first elevator before the pawl would come in contact with the latch. If the slide adjustments are properly made, the turning of the turnbuckle will have no effect in the adjustment of the slide finger.

SPACEBAND LEVER PAWL

The spaceband pawl is fastened to the spaceband lever by a pivot pin and held in place by a bushing, which fits over the pin. The screw which clamps the bushing to the pin extends downward through the top of the lever. The pawl pulls the spacebands back into the box after the transfer. The pawl should ride freely in the transfer channel, its bearing being a pin screwed into the back side of the pawl. This pin rides on the top of the transfer channel. The sidewise adjustment of the pawl is made by loosening the screw in the top of the transfer lever and allowing the machine to turn over for a few lines, the pawl thus seating itself. The spaceband pawl is held down on the transfer channel by a small spring. The tension of this spring should be strong enough to hold the spacebands from slipping from under the pawl.

MOLD SLIDE

The mold slide, which carries the mold disk and molds, moves in a slideway at the right of the metal pot and gets its action from cam No. 9, and the mold cam lever on which are assembled two rollers. One roller is fastened to the lever by a screw and a washer, and is seated in a depression in the rear end of the mold slide connecting the mold slide with cam No. 9. The other roller has as its bearing an adjustable eccentric pin fastened to the mold cam lever, and follows the contour of the cam in the right side of cam No. 9.

When a line of matrices is in position in front of the mold, the mold slide advances so that the lugs of the matrices will enter the aligning grooves of the mold. This position is held until the spacebands are driven up for justification and the line is raised for alignment. The slide then comes forward a second time for final lockup just as the metal pot locks against the back of the mold.

When the mold slide comes forward the first time there should be .010 of an inch space between the mold and the vise jaws or the line. This space between the mold and the jaws is regulated by the eccentric pin in the mold cam lever roller, and allows the proper justification and alignment of the matrices before the final lockup.

During the alignment and during the first justification, the matrices must be perfectly free, so that they may readjust themselves sidewise in the line. Hence the importance of preventing the mold from pressing forward against the matrices and spacebands at its first movement.

If the slide advances too far forward the aligning groove of the mold would engage the lugs of the matrices before the first elevator jaws were seated properly on the vise cap, shearing the lugs of the matrices. Or if the mold was forced to lockup tight against the line, it would prevent justifying properly, causing hair lines to show between the matrices or a squirt on the left-hand end. If there is too much space between the mold and the jaws, when the first elevator raises for alignment, the lugs of the matrices not being in the aligning groove, would permit the line of matrices to raise to the upper aligning groove of the mold, causing the line of matrices to be cast on the raised position; or if the aligning groove did not advance close to hold the lugs, there would be a small squirt.

The .010 of an inch adjustment also affects the lockup of the slide at ejecting position. If there is a trifle more space between the mold and the line than .010 of an inch, the mold will not seat against the banking blocks at ejecting point. This will sometimes allow the slug to twist slightly, causing it to be trimmed crooked.

To test this adjustment: Turn the casting mechanism until the first elevator jaws are resting on the vise cap; place a pig of metal under the head of the slide and on top of the vise automatic stop rod; fold a piece of newspaper three thicknesses, or proof paper until it measures about .010 of an inch; close the vise jaws; place the paper between the mold and the vise jaws; turn the machine by hand until the metal pot is just ready to move forward; pull up on the paper, which should bind a trifle as it is being withdrawn. If the paper does not bind or binds too tight it would show that the slide is out of adjustment.

To make the slide adjustment, place the paper between the jaws and the mold as in the test. Change the position of the mold slide by moving the eccentric pin in the mold cam lever roller so that the paper can be withdrawn, binding just a trifle. Moving the handle forces the mold slide either forward or backward, as desired.

The mold slide moves in the slideway on a gib. There should be .007 of an inch play between the mold slide and the gib because the mold slide will expand from the heat of the metal pot, but by having the above mentioned play, it will not bind, and will slide in and out freely.

This adjustment is made by the two square head screws under the gib on which the slide moves. There is no gib on the late model machines, and consequently no adjustment for the slideway.

As the mold slide advances, it slides up on the locking stud blocks on the vise, raising the slide approximately .007 of an inch. The screw beneath the mold disk guide on the mold gear arm should have a little clearance above it when the slide is forward on the locking stud blocks. There should be play enough to slip a sheet of paper between the screw and the guide when the mold disk is forward on the locking studs.

To remove a mold slide: Lower the vise to second position, disconnect the mold slide, and take out the ejector lever link. Pull forward on the slide and disk, assembled, and lift out.

MOLD DISK LOCKING STUDS AND BLOCKS

After the mold disk makes the one-quarter and three-quarter revolutions, the mold slide advances and the mold disk locking studs enter the locking stud blocks which are on the vise. This keeps the disk in position until the slug has been cast or ejected, as the case may be.

On old style machines the bushings are in the disk, and the studs are in the blocks. On all the new machines the studs are in the disk and each bushing and block is made in one piece. The blocks are held to the vise by the screws and dowel pins that pass through the front of the vise and screw into the blocks. The left-hand stud block on the newer models is loose sidewise, which permits the studs to enter the stud blocks with the minimum amount of wear to the parts.

The stud blocks can be renewed by taking the old ones off one at a time and using the remaining block as a guide.

The studs should be kept lubricated with a little graphite and grease. Too much will collect on the mold and get to the matrices.

EJECTOR SLIDE

The ejector slide is connected to the ejector lever, by means of a link, and is located in the channel cut in the side of the mold slide. It is operated by the ejector cam, which comes in contact with the ejector lever pawl. The cam is held tight to cam No. 9 by means of a screw and dowel pin. After the ejector lever is brought forward, it is pushed back into position by cam No. 10 coming in contact with a projection on the ejector lever. There is a buffer spring placed on the ejector slide which prevents the slide falling forward with a sudden jerk after the ejector lever has passed its center of gravity and the slug has passed the resistance of the trimming knives. The spring works on a rod which banks against the ejector blade guide. If this spring is not functioning, the slug will be thrown out on the floor.

EJECTOR BLADE

The blade is connected to the ejector slide by the pins that pass through the holes in the blade, the pins being operated by the springs, throw-out cam, and lever. The blade pushes the slug out of the mold, between the trimming knives, into the chase channel.