When you press a length switch, the machine should dispense that length within 0.25″. If lengths are longer than the length selected, first determine if the longer lengths are erratic. For example, the 18″ key always dispenses 20″. Or, are the longer lengths erratic? For example, the 18″ key dispenses 19″, 29″, 17.5″, etc.
A. Consistent Longer Lengths
Consistent long lengths are usually caused by incorrect adjustment of the bumper plate. Readjustment is easy.
On “S” models:
- Unplug the machine.
- Remove the key drum and access hole cover (a total of five screws).
- Loosen the cap screw with an LN-26 Hex screwdriver.
- Move the bumper plate in a counter-clockwise direction to shorten tape lengths. For example, if the 12″ is dispensing 13″, this adjustment will correct this problem. It deducts the same amount from all key switches.
On “L” models:
- Unplug the machine.
- Remove the key drum and access hole cover (a total of five screws).
- Loosen the cap screw with an LN-26 Hex screwdriver.
- Move the bumper plate bumper cup arm clockwise to shorten tape lengths. For example, if the 12″ key is dispensing 13″, this will correct that problem.
B. Erratic Longer Lengths
I. Worn / Maladjusted Clutch Roller
Tools required: Retaining ring pliers, Needle-nose pliers.
- Unplug the machine.
- Start by removing the key drum and access hole cover (a total of five screws).
- Remove the water bottle and tank.
- The clutch roller is the rubber roller with the attached gear that sits just above the big measuring wheel. The rubber on this roller should be hard, not soft. There should be no worn marks, cracks, or lines in this roller. If there are, it needs to be replaced.
To replace:
- Remove snap ring and spacer washer.
- Slide off the old roller, slide on the new roller.
- Replace the spacer washer and snap ring.
To adjust:
- Reach inside the front of the machine and push up on the yoke assembly. This is the device that holds the upper shear. Pushing up on the yoke will raise the upper shear. When the upper shear goes up, the clutch roller comes down, making contact with the measuring wheel. With the yoke pushed up, it should be difficult to turn the measuring wheel. If you can easily turn the measuring wheel, you’ll need to adjust the clutch roller.
- Locate the clutch connecting rod. The rod is located behind the measuring wheel. You can see the top of the rod coming up from behind the measuring wheel.
- The rod can be turned to raise or lower the clutch roller. With the needle-nose pliers, turn the tip of the rod clockwise to lower the clutch roler. This will prevent the measuring wheel from slipping when the yoke comes up. A clearance of 1/32″ is recommended between the clutch roller and measuring wheel.
Be careful not to bend the L-Spring that holds the clutch rod in position. If this spring is bent, the rod will turn by the vibration of the machine and will require constant adjusting.
Can you lower the clutch roller too much?
Yes. If the clutch roller is lowered too far, the machine will “drag” or seem to run slower. This creates extra wear. Here’s a quick way to check: First, adjust the clutch roller to where it makes good contact with the measuring wheel. Next, turn the measuring wheel by hand all the way around. Release it. The clutch roller should not move or vibrate. When the yoke is down, the clutch roller should not make any contact with the measuring wheel.
II. Worn / Maladjusted Trip Roller
Tools required: Retaining ring pliers, 5/16″ Long-arm Allen wrench.
Checking the trip roller:
- Start by removing the access hole cover on the side of the key drum.
- Press all key switches down.
- By hand, turn the measuring wheel and see if all of the key switches shut off (buttons pop up). Hold the measuring wheel at the end position.
- Release the measuring wheel to make sure that it returns to home position with no obstructions.
Replacing the trip roller:
To check the condition of the trip roller – 400TRIPROLLER (Ref. E538AXX) – it is best to remove the key drum. The trip roller is attached to the trip arm. The trip arm has two set screws that hold it onto the measuring wheel. The trip roller is a black rubber roller that comes into contact with the key switches. When a switch is pressed down, it hits it, pressing it up (or off). The rubber on this roller should be hard. If it is soft, or has grooves in it, replace it.
- Using the retaining ring pliers, remove the retaining ring and spacer washer. The trip roller will slide off.
- Replace with the new trip roller, spacer washer, and retaining ring.
- With the new trip roller installed, replace the key drum and perform the “Checking the trip roller” procedure again.
Adjusting the trip arm:
If you find that the trip roller is still not pushing all of the key switches off, or if the measuring wheel is not returning to home position, you will need to adjust the trip arm.
- Loosen the trip arm cap screws.
- If the trip arm is not shutting off all of the key switches, move the trip arm closer to the hub of the measuring wheel. This adjustment may take several tries to get the trip arm positioned just right.
- The trip arm adjustment is very slight. We adjust and tighten only one cap screw until we find the perfect position. Once we set the trip arm, we then tighten both cap screws.
- Finally, tighten both cap screws and replace the access hole cover.
III. Broken / Defective Key Switches
Tools required: Screwdriver.
A broken or defective key switch can also cause erratic long lengths. A broken switch can cause the trip roller to hang up and keep the machine feeding tape. Check each key switch. If necessary, remove the plastic color cap and make sure the kurled nut is securely holding the key switch. If the knurled nut is missing or falls off, the key switch is probably broken and should be replaced.
- Remove the key drum and access hole cover (a total of five screws).
- The key switch is screwed into two buss wires. Remove the two screws, one on either side of the switch.
- Turn the switch until you can slide it out from under the buss wires.
- Place the spring washer onto the new key switch.
- Install the new key switch so that the screw holes on either side of the switch are under the two buss wires.
- It is easier to install the knurled nut first before screwing in the key switch screws.
- With the knurled nut screwed on the key switch, screw in the two small key switch screws.
Is there an easy way to screw those two little screws into the key switch?
No. Actually, there is a screwdriver that holds those small screws. If you don’t have one, apply a very small amount of glue onto the end of the screw driver, let it stand for a moment, then put the screw onto the end of the glue-tipped screwdriver. This holds the small screw so you can get it started into the screw hole.
How tight should the knurled nut be?
Obviously, if you overtighten the knurled nut, it will break the plastic threaded neck on the key switch. We tighten the knurled nut just a little tighter than thumb tight. If it is too loose, the trip roller will “hang up” on the switch. If this happens, just tighten it up a little further.
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
