Heidelberg windmill infeed jammed parts
I am helping a friend of mine to fix her press. An old red ball windmill which doesn’t have the roller lock up function. The biggest issue is weak airblast and suction strength. We have open the air pump to clean the debris inside, but it doesn’t help much. Now the machine almost have no air blast and it needs to put on sucker caps to pick up some 300gsm cards. The air hoeses are new and properly connected. but the one connecting to the suction is having about 2mm larger diameter then the socket, which needs to be fastened with a metal ring.
Would this slight variation in air hose affect suction strength? Or are there other factors?
My friend bought a second hand windmill which is badly maintained. The part that turns the ratchet gear is jammed. Normally it should swing freely when turned by hand, now it is fixed as if they are in one piece. How should I work on this piece to loosen it up?
In the mean time we could work with that, but we have to push down the part after adjusting infeed table rise, ortherwise it would jam itself into the mainframe of the press
table rise ratchet.JPG
just put a rubber band and its fixed
Thanks phase4 for your suggestion. I have used a lady’s hair pin to fill in that gap. But it’s not the main problem. I should have taken a video, a photo doesn’t show enough information. Let me describe more.
There is a weight next to the lifting linkage, which normally you can swing it freely with your hand. The axle will turn with it. Now it is jammed and unable to turn. I don’t have the knowledge to dissemble the part. So I am seeking a way to loosen it on the machine.
Sir, as you appear to be implying that your *axle* will only turn by carrying its parent part with it, i.e siezed, wrap a little tourniquet of towelling, strip of towel or face flannel, (as one would use a poultice) around the part and soak with freeing agent for as long as possible, 2-3 hours or more!!! remove the tourniquet and briefly heat with blow torch, in short bursts 45 seconds to 90 seconds, for example, and then with comparatively gentle, almost finger tip pressure, (with spanner/wrench etc) alternate clock/anti clock movements to free up???
If you use a short wrench or spanner, (the shorter the better) with respect, and without long experience, the short spanner/wrench will possibly give you an indication, by hurting your finger(s) how much pressure you are applying, rather than snapping your part??
Please accept this, as just a tutorial, from one who has made ALL, these mistakes, through lack of patience and/or guidance!!! . . To my cost??
Let patience and perseverance be the watchword! rather than brute force. Good Luck. Mick.
Don’t know exactly what is happening but will toss this in for your consideration. Is it possible the linkage rod is adjusted too long? There’s a screw directly above the finger that turns out sideways. Then the length of the rod can be changed by turning the end of the rod. Could be it’s not allowing the pawl lift up releasing the gear.
The pile height linkage & pawl should normally drop onto the sprocket (ratchet wheel). Usually the weight is sufficient. If not, some users add tension with a rubber band to reduce the bounce.
It is not critical that the weight on the pawl swings freely (it does have a setscrew), but it is critical that the entire linkage from the sprocket up to the pile height bar move freely… a poorly maintained machine may be binding from inadequate lubrication. I’d clean all the oil points on the linkage and let penetrating solvent work a day or two.
Please post pictures of the rest of the linkage, there may be bent or missing pieces.
The pile height driving pawl needs replacing or cheaper building up with a run of weld and ground back to standard . the amount of adjustment has reached its maximum because of the wear you would normally ony have about 3/8 to 1/2 ” of thread showing on the adjuster at the lower end ..
When the machine is running with the pile feeding ,watch the pawl and if it is pushing but the dog is not catching the wheel to stop it rolling back there is another adjustment that may need making ,however building up th pawl should be your first action as this will certainly go a long way to help.
Good evening if you are still having issues with the platen by all means contact me or the company I work for.
We specialise in heidelberg letterpress machinery. And have engineers that would be happy to help over the phone or in person.
Trouble in buying second hand machinery off bidding sites and auctions is that you don’t always know what your buying.
Please feel free to ring us on 01924230800