On this style chute spring the adjustment is made by turning a conical thumbscrew which raises or lowers the spring.
The matrix catch spring is fastened to the rear of the assembler plate and projects through a slot in the plate 1/32 of an inch. The purpose of this spring is to retard the matrix a trifle before it passes onto the star wheel. The catch spring should be adjusted so it does not project more than 1/32 of an inch from the plate. It must also be in the center of the slot. If it projects more than the distance mentioned it may cause transpositions.
The star wheel is driven by a friction disk and pinion. The pinion slips over a small circular brass disk that is screwed onto the star wheel shaft. To hold the pinion on and to cause the friction to drive the disk, there is a spring which is held against the pinion by a nut that screws on the shaft. The spring must be just strong enough to force the assembler slide over when assembling a line, but to allow the star wheel to stop if anything binds it.
If the brass disk wears or becomes oily, or the friction spring becomes weak, a slight resistance to the star wheel will stop it and the matrices will clog in the assembler. If the friction is too strong, the star wheel will not stop when too many matrices are dropped into the assembler. This will cause damage to the matrices or the machine.
If these parts need renewing or cleaning, it will be necessary to remove the assembler plate from the machine. This can be accomplished by removing the two screws in the assembler plate, removing the chute spring, if the new style, releasing the matrix delivery belt from the pulley at the top, slipping the assembler driving belt off the pulley, and lifting the plate off the dowel pins.
By unscrewing the stud nut, the spring and the pinion can be lifted off and the disk unscrewed and cleaned or renewed.
The star wheel should force the matrices inside the retaining pawls in the assembling elevator. When it becomes worn to the extent that it will not force the matrices inside the retaining pawls, it should be replaced with a new one.
When renewing a star wheel it is only necessary to remove the small assembler cover, raise the assembling elevator, remove the screw which holds the two chute plates and rails on the dowel pins, and remove the chute plates. The old star can be withdrawn and a new one fitted.
Use a square file to dress out the hole on the new star, but do not have it fitted too loosely. Use care that the star does not bind anywhere.
The assembler chute rails, front and back, are soldered to the plates, and should be kept tightly fastened at all times. They should be close to, but not dig into, the delivery belt.