Automatic stop on Windmill stopping too much
The adjusting screw for the automatic stop is turned left, all of the way out, but the press still keeps stopping after paper is picked up. I just moved my shop this year, so wondering if somehow something may have gotten out of alignment? In general, it has always been more “out” as long as I’ve had this press. It looks as if there is hexagon screw and bolt that may adjust the cam for through off. Any help would be very much appreciated!
Julie
The first thing to check is make sure the suckers not on the paper are turned off, this will trip the press as soon as it picks up the sheet. Good Luck Dick G.
Sounds like a leak in the suction line.
Disconnect the rubber tube from the sucker bar,place your thumb over the end of it to close it, then start the machine,engage the auto stop and the machine should run; if not then you have a leaking pipe somewhere.
The cam which I think you refer to changes the height of the sucker bar,its correct location is when the grub screw just above the hexagon clamping bolt is screwed fully home and into the dimpled recess in the cam.
Sometimes the automatic stop adjustment needs altering depending on how many suckers are open or closed.
What thickness of stock are you running? If it’s a rigid stock you may have too much tilt on the sucker bar, so try reducing the tilt.
Does the stock curl down at the sides? Try gently curling the front corners of the paper upwards. If it curls down too much close one or more of the suckers that touch the paper and alter the air blast to a lower position.
How far out do the sheet separators protrude? Again with thicker stock they may need to be retracted almost totally.
Also to the immediate left of the left-most sucker is a black clip which can be turned to reduce suction. It covers a hole in the sucker bar. Slide it to the left or turn it so you can see the hole, then slide or turn it back to make sure the hole is covered. This is a good horseplay trick in industry - pressman breaks off for a moment, someone slides the clip aside, man comes back and machine won’t pick sheets up. Man goes away to seek advice, someone slides clip back, man comes back with supervisor and machine picks up perfectly!!
The auto stop may just be gummed up after 50 years of service too. Presuming that the filter cup is in place on the suction hose (if not, replace it) I would look behind the sheet detector valve housing and see if the plunger can move freely. If the plunger can’t come out easily, it will always trip the sheet detector (and you wind up running the press holding the clutch out).
The part to look for is beneath the feeder valve plunger on the back side of the casting/housing. If the plunger does not spring back when depressed, it is likely gummed up. This can be cleaned out by disconnecting the hoses and running mineral spirits through the valve while working the feeder valve back and forth. On mine I took most of it apart, but I don’t think that is necessary.
REMOVE HOSE FROM SUCKER BAR CHECK FOR SUCTION WHEN PUSHING IN SUCTION VALVE.
CHECK SUCTION CORRUGATED HOSE FOR BREAKS
REMOVE HOSE AND FILTER …LOOK IN CHAMBER AND SEE IF ADJUSTING SPRING IS CLOGGED OR FULL OF PAPER DUST.
REMEMBER CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT HANDLE SHOULD SIT ONLY 5MM ON TRIP CAM WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE BOWDEN CABLE FROM THE GUARD.
AS A HEIDELBERG ENGINEER BEING CALLED OUT TO A PROBLEM LIKE THIS …
I WOULD REMOVE THE WHOLE SUCTION CONTROL VALVE AND STRIP DOWN AND CLEAN…IT GETS FULL OF PAPER DUST OVER THE YEARS AND CAUSES PROBLEMS LIKE THIS .
GOOD LUCK YOU WILL GET THERE.
Thank you!!! It ended up being a hole in one of my air supply tubes. Fixed it - and it is working beautifully. I am so glad to know how to clean the suction control valve and auto stop - will do that, too. Thank you all so much. Nothing like being stumped and jobs to run.