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.