Hey Everybody,
It seemed like this was going to be a workable problem, but now in actuality it has taken a turn for the worse. Today we printed a navy ink with no problem, then washed up and put PMS 874 (gold metallic) on the press. Very quickly things went down hill. I am attaching links for two videos that show what is going on. Here are quick descriptions of each:
https://vimeo.com/84705678 – this shows the rollers hesitating way more than they do with non-metallic ink. The whole problem came about with a silver metallic on the press. I have printed with that ink hundreds of times with no problem. You can see that the rollers barely want to turn. After a while things got worse, so I made this second video.
https://vimeo.com/84707912 – at first the rollers are up and the motor is running. Then I put the rollers down very slowly so the oscillating roller only touches the back form roller. You can see that it seems relatively fine, but there isn’t much pressure on either of the rollers. Then I lower the rollers all the way… Everything seems to pretty much stop. I felt like we were stressing the motor out by doing this, so I finished the job by tripping and printing with the motor off.
I am at a loss as to what is causing this to happen. My metallic inks are not overly sticky. Everything really seems to be in working order. I have a bunch of jobs piling up and this is my only press!
Thank you in advance for any advice or help.
-Sarah
I changed the drive belt yesterday and now everything is working perfectly!!! I think the belt needed to be changed a long time ago. The teeth had pretty much rubbed off completely. Also, it seems like the rollers are going a little faster than they used to, which I attribute to the belt actually working. Thank you so much for the suggestion Ray!
I do remember, Dan. I’ve seen another one since and couple of No.4s and a 215 similarly equipped.
Paul,
My first SP-15 actually did have a V belt and I’m pretty sure it was factory original. This was the press you saw at The Arm that had the gripper lever sticking out of the handle on the main shaft. It was an odd early SP which also had a different style of trip spring.
Dan
I ordered a new belt from NA Graphics and will let you guys know if it solves the problem. Keeping me fingers crossed!
Hi Paul,
I looked at the link you sent for getting a new belt, but there are a lot of options there. Do you know what length it should be and how many teeth?
Also, I have felt around on the belt and it seems like the teeth have all but disintegrated. I’m very hopeful that this is the issue.
Thank you!
Sarah
Sara: The pulleys are the metal or plastic gears on which the belt runs.
Mark: The SP15 belt is a timing belt not a V-belt. I’m sure McMaster has a comparable one but here’s one on Grainger: http://www.grainger.com/search?searchQuery=180XL037
If you do need to replace the belt, I am unfamiliar with the SP 15- but I will assume it is a V-belt that drives the two pulleys.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#v-belts/=qdsu7b
You may want to consider this “adjustable length V belting” that is available- it will probably save you a lot of disassembly time and guess-work. Also if it stretches less than regular belts.
Where do I find the pulleys on the ink drum and gear box? I only see the drive belt. Thanks guys!
In addition to the belt, check the condition of the pulleys on both the ink drum and gearbox.
We had a similar problem a couple years ago. We replaced the drive belt between the ink drum and the motor and never had the problem again.