FIRST ELEVATOR JAWS AND SLIDE

The first elevator slide is held in place by four gibs on the vise frame so that the jaws will stand parallel with the mold. The gibs are also used for adjusting the first elevator jaws so they will just clear the delivery and the intermediate channels. The slide is operated by cam No. 1, through the first elevator and the auxiliary levers and connecting link.

The first elevator jaws are attached to the top of the first elevator slide. They carry the line of matrices to the casting position and then to the second elevator. When the matrices have entered the first elevator jaws they are in position with their face toward the mold. The elevator slide travels down to the vise, the mold advances and the lower lugs of the matrices enter the groove of the mold, the elevator raises for alignment and lifts the line up against the aligning groove, or mold keeper, of the mold for casting.

As the first elevator jaws descend to the vise cap, the center screw in the top of the first elevator slide strikes on the vise cap and regulates the distance from the lugs of the matrices to the aligning groove in the mold when the mold slide advances.

There should be ¹/₆₄ of an inch space between the bottom of the center screw and vise cap when first elevator is lifted for alignment. If the center screw is not properly adjusted, when the mold advances the lower lugs on the matrices would be sheared. An entire font of matrices might be ruined in a very short time in this manner.

To test this adjustment, place a good matrix in the first elevator jaws, turn the machine until the adjusting screw is resting on the vise cap, disconnect the mold slide and bring the mold disk forward so the lug of the matrix enters the groove in the mold. Raise the elevator slide with the left hand, which raises the lug of the matrix against the aligning groove in the mold. At this point there should be ¹/₆₄ of an inch between the end of the center screw and the vise cap. If not, turn the screw with the right hand until it is resting on the vise cap. Then turn the screw to the left until it is approximately ¹/₆₄ of an inch from the vise cap.

On the older model machines this adjusting screw is ⅜ of an inch in diameter and has 16 threads to the inch. By turning the screw to the left one-quarter of a revolution, it allows the ¹/₆₄-inch adjustment. On all new machines the adjusting screw is ½ inch in diameter and has 12 threads to the inch. Turning the screw one-fifth of a revolution allows the ¹/₆₄-inch adjustment.

As the mold disk moves forward the elevator jaws raise for alignment, the lower lugs of the matrices being raised against the aligning groove in the mold. The locking stud blocks receive the mold disk locking studs so that the mold sets parallel with the side of the vise. The elevator should be adjusted so that the jaws will be parallel with the mold.

If the jaws are not parallel with the mold the face alignment on the slug will not be straight.

The method of testing this adjustment is made by setting the vise jaws to 30 picas, placing a good matrix in each end of the first elevator jaws. Let the first elevator jaws down on the vise cap. Disconnect the mold slide; bring the mold slide forward by hand. Be sure it comes over the lugs of the matrices without binding, as the matrices must be free. To test the alignment, raise the first elevator by hand, thus raising the lugs of the matrices up against the aligning groove in the mold. If the matrix on the right-hand side is found to be tight, and the one on the left-hand side is found to be loose, this proves that the first elevator jaws are not parallel with the mold. The four gibs act as a guide for the elevator slide. If the matrix on the left-hand side is loose, the two top gibs should be moved to the right, and the two bottom gibs moved to the left.

In taking down or erecting a machine, do not disturb the two gibs on the right-hand side. Leave them for a guide to adjust the other two gibs. On machines that have the inclined galley it is necessary to remove the right-hand gib to remove the galley bracket, but as it is doweled, it is impossible to get it back into the wrong position.

The elevator jaw must be adjusted so as to clear the intermediate and delivery channels without binding. If it is too far away, move all four gibs exactly the same distance.

The first elevator jaws should align with the second elevator bar when the first elevator is at its full up-stroke, so that the matrices will pass freely from the first to the second elevator. When the first elevator goes to the slide guide, the square head adjusting screw on the bottom of the slide comes in contact with the vise frame, regulates the height to which the elevator raises, the screw holding the slide, and the spring in the connecting link being compressed to take up the extra movement of the elevator lever.

Unless the matrices transfer freely from the first elevator jaws to the second elevator bar, the combinations would soon become damaged, causing poor distribution.

Test by transferring a line from the jaws to the bar by hand. If the line of matrices moves onto the bar without dragging, the adjustment need not be disturbed.

Whenever it is necessary to make this adjustment, place the machine in transfer position, place a matrix that has all the combinations, in the first elevator jaws against the spring pawls; place a piece of white paper in the spaceband box, at the end of the spaceband lever pawl; lay an electric light on the transfer channel; close one eye, looking through the first elevator from the left end with the other; adjust with the screw on the bottom of the first elevator slide, at the right side, so the combinations on the matrix align with grooves on the second elevator bar. The final test for this adjustment, is to transfer the line as above stated. The line must transfer without dragging. Use the adjusting screw until this is accomplished.

Before making the adjustment be sure the first elevator jaws are not loose on the slide, that the left end of the second elevator bar is not battered, that the second elevator plate is not loose, or worn, that the second elevator is adjusted properly, that there is no dirt or gum holding the second elevator from seating, that there is no metal on top of the adjusting screw, that the screw which holds the first elevator slide stop is not loose. See that the transfer slide finger is not bent.

First Elevator Jaws

The first elevator jaws consist of the front and back jaws, the jaw spring pawls, duplex rail, duplex rail levers and springs, separating block, and line stop.

The two jaws are held together by two screws extending through the separating block. On the right-hand end of the jaws are the spring pawls. The pawl for the back jaw is held in a slot by two small screws and projects through to the front. The front jaw pawl is grooved and held in place by two screws and a plate, and projects through to the back. These two pawls retain the matrices after they have entered the jaws. Should they break or become inoperative, the matrices would have a tendency to jump out of the jaws just before entering the vise jaws or while going to transfer position in the top guide. A broken pawl sometimes will catch the line of matrices and prevent it from passing into the jaws. To renew the front pawl, release the two small screws that hold the plate and slip the pawl toward the right. The back pawl can be changed by taking out the two small screws that hold it in position.

The first elevator front jaw is equipped with a duplex rail for the purpose of holding the front lugs of the matrices in a raised position to cast a line of matrices in auxiliary position. This rail is held in position by two springs which are fastened to the two duplex rail levers. The rail is automatically retracted when the elevator rises to the slide guide, by the upper ends of the rail levers being pressed back by two operating blocks which are assembled on the adjusting strip of the slide guide. This backward movement of the rail permits the matrices to drop to normal position for the transfer.

If a squirt occurs and the metal gets in around the duplex rails or on the first elevator jaws, it will prevent the rail from being retracted. This will prevent the elevator slide from going high enough for the matrices to be transferred. Never remove metal from the jaws with a screwdriver or a piece of steel. A piece of brass rule will answer the purpose and will not damage the jaws when driving out the metal.

The duplex rail sometimes becomes battered or bent through the carelessness of the operator in sending in tight lines. The rail can be taken out and smoothed up by taking the jaws off the slide and removing the plate at the bottom of the front jaw.

The back jaw should be examined frequently for burrs or a sprung jaw. If the jaw becomes sprung outward it will permit the end matrix to crawl up in the jaws and the lugs will be sheared or bent as the mold slide comes forward for the lockup. There should be just enough space between the jaws for a matrix to pass in without binding, but not enough to allow the matrix to be raised past the duplex rail, from lower to auxiliary position. If the jaw is bent inward, the spaceband can not operate freely. Never pry out on the jaws with a screw driver when there is a squirt holding the jaws to the disc of the mold cap, for there is a chance of bending the back jaw.

Whenever the jaws are held on the vise cap after a squirt, always remove the screws from the back jaws, take off the jaw guard on the vise cap and let the vise down. This method will prevent springing the jaw because the back jaw will hang to the squirt when the vise is let down.

First Elevator Jaw Line Stop

The first elevator jaw line stop, which prevents the matrices from twisting or falling out while the line is being carried to the vise or the top guide, is found in the first elevator jaw, and is held by a clamp, spring, and nut.

The outer end of the line stop is cut away so as to clear the vise jaw, on all models except 1 and K. Always have the cut on the under side; if reversed it would strike on the vise jaw and not allow the first elevator to descend the full distance.

The inner end of the line stop should set against the first matrix on the left end of the line after the line has been justified. Do not set the clamp lock-nut tight or it will not allow the line stop to move when changing to a longer measure.