Motorizing a C&P 10X15

I recemt;y completed a project for motorizing our press. I did it a little differently than I have seen described in these pages and thought to share my ideas if there is any interest.

The press was mounted on 4x4 skids when we got it. For ease of mobility I had a baseplate made of 1/2” sheet steel and mounted leveling casters rated for a total load of 2200 lb. The press is firmly supported and can be leveled but also can be moved easily. The motor is also fastened to the baseplate. It is an industrial DC motor controlled by a variable-speed device. The v-belt drive ratio is 19:1. The motor maximum speed is 1800 rpm. The minimum speed is around 500 rpm. Press flywheel rpm is between 30 and 100 rpm with a resulltant print range of 5 to 16 IPM. This appears to be a very manageable speed range. The press has a Hern Iron Works treadle which remains useable. The motor has a clutch, electrically operated through a footswitch, which disengages the motor and allows manual/treadle operation without drag. The controller has a brake function and is reversible to turn the flywheel in either direction. The motor is 3/4 hp. and seems more than adequate. With the motor at 30-40% speed, engaging the clutch brings the flywheel smoothly up to speed without belt slippage.

Photos are attached. If any one is interested, I will be happy to share the details and parts list for this project. So far there have been no complaints and no need for any modification.

Bill Baer

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Bill,
You mention the drive has a brake function. Is it dynamic braking? Can you estimate how many turns before the press is at full speed from stopped condition? And also how many turns for the press to stop from full speed or lowest speed? I assume your press makes 6 turns per impression?
Looks nice the way you crafted the drive wheel behind the flywheel.

Braking is indeed dynamic. It is built into the motor controller located beneath the feed board. The left switch controls forward-brake-reverse. It takes less than one turn of the flywheel to stop with the brake switch. The pulley ratio is about 19:1. I really haven’t measured these parameters and the press is in Tacoma with my daughter while I live in Portland. She is the letterpress artist. I am her mechanic. The press gear ratio is indeed 6:1. I can ask her to measure these issues if it is helpful. The clutch mechanism disconnects the motor completely and there is no braking with the clutch disengaged. The clutches are availabe with braking but cost even more and I did not see the need.

Bill Baer

One more thing. With the DC motor full torque is available at all speeds so the flywheel reaches preset speed in much less than one turn. I left the treadle on and it is still usable with the clutch disengaged.

Bill Baer

Hi Bill
Great solution.

Can you advise me the specs/size of the vbelt pulleys?

thanks
Drew

Mr. Baer, I would like to have the specifics about the parts list and details, sir.

I have the same 10x15 OS, but mine does not have the second drive wheel behind the flywheel.

Tony

Mr. Baer, I would like to have the specifics about the parts list and details, sir.

I have the same 10x15 OS, but mine does not have the second drive wheel behind the flywheel.

Tony