The left end of the operating lever, when raised, should remain so until the assembling elevator has returned to its proper position. If it does not, when using a long line the instant the elevator starts to descend, the right end of the operating lever raising would allow the brake to go into action, and cause the assembler slide to stop before it has returned to its proper position.
On the back of the operating lever is a friction spring which should overcome the tension of the brake spring, so as to have the left end of the operating lever remain in raised position until returned by the assembling elevator as it returns to normal.
The assembler slide is returned to normal by a long coil spring, as soon as the brake is released. Do not change the tension of this spring if the slide fails to return. The cause of the trouble usually will be found elsewhere.
MATRIX CARRIER BELT
This belt moves the matrices to the assembling elevator and must be kept fairly tight. It is adjusted by loosening the nut and stud which hold the upper pulley and which fit into a slotted hole; then move the pulley to the desired position and tighten the nut. If the belt is still loose when the stud is against the outer end of the slot a new belt should be applied. Procure a new belt from the machine manufacturer and be sure to specify the model and the number of the machine, because the belts are of different lengths for the various models.
There are always particles of dirt and grease that form a gum which adheres to the pulleys and slideways along which the belt moves. These parts should be kept clean and free of this gum.
CAUSES OF BAD ASSEMBLING
The main sources of trouble of the assembling are transpositions and matrices jumping out of the assembler. The causes of these troubles are numerous. In the assembling elevator it may be caused by worn buffer strips, detaining pawls not working properly, or worn detaining plates. On the assembler plate trouble may be caused by a worn star wheel, dirty star wheel friction, chute spring out of adjustment, matrix catch spring out of adjustment, chute rails loose from the plates; assembler slide brake out of adjustment, permitting the slide to vibrate; brake catching too soon, not allowing the slide to return all the way back; loose screw in assembler slide operating brake, causing the slide to bind; or assembler slide worn or dirty, which will not allow the brake to operate properly.
These are some of the principal causes of trouble, but due to wear or the care the machine has had, there may be numerous other causes.