If you find that your machine is feeding short tape lengths, for example, the 18″ key does not dispense the full 18″ you first should determine whether the short strips are consistent. For example, is the 18″ key always dispensing 17″. Or, are the short lengths erratic. For example, the 18″ key might dispense 17″ or 14″ or 15″ etc.
A. Consistent Shorter Lengths
Consistent short lengths are usually caused by incorrect adjustment of the bumper plate. The adjustment is fairly simple.
On “S” models:
- Unplug the machine.
- Remove the key drum and access hole cover (total of five screws).
- Loosen the cape screw with LN-26 Hex screwdriver.
- Move the bumper plate in a clockwise direction to shorten tape lengths. For exmaple, if the 12″ key is dispensing 11″, this adjustment will correct this problem. It adds the same amount to all key switches.
On “L” models:
- Unplug the machine.
- Remove the key drum and access hole cover (total of five screws).
- Loosen the cap screw with LN-26 Hex screwdriver.
- Move the bumper plate bumper cup arm counter-clockwise to lengthen tape lengths. For example, if the 12″ key is dispensing 11″, this will correct that problem.
B. Erratic Shorter Lengths
The most common cause is a worn upper feed wheel (555-PW77X) or incorrect adjustment on the lower feed wheel (555-E626XXX).
To replace the upper feed wheel:
Tools required: 3/32″ Allen wrench, Phillips screwdriver, hammer, small punch.
Replace the feed wheel if the surface of the wheel is smooth.
- Unplug the machine.
- Remove both the key drum and motor & chain cover. The key drum has a screw at each corner, plus one screw for the access hole cover (a total of five screws). The motor cover has three screws.
- Remove the water bottle and tank.
- Loosen the two set screws on the upper feed wheel, one set screw on the feed wheel shaft sprocket which holds the motor chain.
- With the hammer and punch, drive the groove pin out of the gear 500PGEAR (Ref. EA47).
- Remove the chain sprocket.
- Very gently, tap the upper feed wheel shaft from left to right (facing front of machine).
- Tap the shaft using the punch through gear 500PGEAR (Ref. EA47). This gear should now be on the end of the punch.
- Slide the shaft out until the spacer washer and collar come off. Then, slide it slightly further until you can slide the old feed wheel off.
- Slide the new feed wheel on. Slide the collar and spacer washer on next.
- Push the shaft back through the right frame and clutch plate assembly.
- Slide gear 500PGEAR (Ref. EA47) back on the end of the shaft. Align hole in gear with hole in shaft and drive groove pin 500GPIN (Ref. EA51) back into gear and shaft.
- Replace chain sprocket.
- Tighten set screw on chain sprocket. Note that the upper feed wheel shaft has a flat spot where the chain sprocket goes on. Make sure the set screw is tightened onto this flat surface.
- Tighten collar 500COLLARXX (Ref. K37X). Tip: Push the collar over against the spacer washer and frame. We found that you should tighten the collar down but leave about 1/32″ gap between th ecollar and frame. The shaft should have just a slight left-to-right movement.
- Finally, align the upper feed wheel so it is centered over the lower feed wheel. Tighten both set screws on the upper feed wheel.
Before reinstalling the covers: Are the set screws on the chain sprocket, feed wheel, and collar tight? If the groove pin through the pinion gear and the upper feed wheel shaft?
If the upper feed wheel appears to be in good shape, that is, it has grooves in the surface, but the machine is still feeding errtic short lengths, you need to adjust the lower feed wheel.
Adjusting the lower feed wheel:
Tools required: 3/32″ Allen wrench, either long or T-handle.
- Remove tape from tape basket.
- Against the back wall (or vertical tie plate) you’ll see a small circular cut out. Look through this cut out to see the head of a 3/32″ set screw.
- This screw adjusts the height of the lower feed wheel. Use the Allen wrench to turn the screw clockwise in order to raise the lower feed wheel to make better contact with the upper feed wheel.
- Do not turn the screw any more than one full turn without testing the tape feed. Raising the lower feed wheel more than required creates wear and tape jams!
- If the set screw appears loose (easy to turn) you can remove the screw and put some Loc-Tite or similar substance on it to keep it from backing out.
Can you raise the lower feed wheel too high?
Yes. If you do, you will notice that the tape is bent over. Facing the front of the machine, the tape will have a slight bend on the left side.
Why does this happen?
As you raise the lower feed wheel, you decrease the travel height of the upper sheat. If you notice that the tape is bending over and the tape is still slipping, the lower feed wheel assembly 600LFWXX (Ref. E626XX) should be replaced. Contact us; you might want to send it in for service. The frames have to be removed to replace the lower feed wheel assembly. For more information on our service, click here.
If you have any questions about any of the above procedures, please feel free to call us at 1-800-899-9389.
Tigerseal Products Sales and Service
13093 Old Ridge Road
Beaverdam, VA 23015
