Applies to

• Lotem 400
• Lotem 400 (small)
• Lotem 400 Xpose

Priority = Next failure
Release date = 28 Aug 2002
Type of change = Conditional

Component

Gripper actuator guide

Problem

Uneven gripper movement prevents one side of the gripper from reaching the detector. This happens when the gripper bearing loosens and falls off due to repeated collisions with the edges of the slot in the gripper actuator guide.

Solution

Time needed to implement

2-3 hours

Parts needed

Special Tools needed

Procedure

• Replacing the gripper actuator guide
• Adjusting the piston activator

Replacing the gripper actuator guide

1. From the Lotem application, open the rear door of the machine, and then shut down the machine.
2. Disconnect the main power cable, and turn off the air pressure.
3. To enable easy access to the upper gripper actuator guides, remove the left and right bridges.
4. To enable easy access to the lower gripper actuator guides, remove the local 3 (or local 2) box(s).

Note: Perform the following steps on the upper and lower gripper actuators guides on each side of the machine (four in total).

5. Remove the piston lock, and then push the piston down.



6. Disconnect the gripper HP and EP wire connectors.



7. Remove the two Allen screws from both the HP and the EP detectors, and then remove the detectors.
8. Remove the spring to enable access to the spring bracket.
9. Remove the two Allen screws from the spring bracket, and then remove the spring bracket.



10. Remove the two Allen screws from the flag, and then remove the flag.
11. Remove the two Allen screws from the actuator, and then slide out the gripper actuator guides.



12. Remove the slotted bearing assembly, and install the hex bearing assembly. Secure the bearing assembly with spring washers and Loctite^®.
    
13. Insert the replacement gripper actuator guide (P/N 290B8L596A), and secure it with the two Allen screws that you removed in step 11.
14. Reassemble the flag, spring bracket, spring, HP and EP detectors, and gripper HP and EP wire connectors.

Note: Do not reassemble the piston lock yet.

Adjusting the piston activator

You must adjust the piston activators to work with the new gripper actuator guide. To prevent the drum from becoming stuck, readjust the piston activators to obtain a 1.5 mm gap between the nut and the piston.

1. Using a 10 mm open wrench, rotate the nut on the piston activator down toward the piston until the nut and the piston are touching.
2. Rotate the nut 1.5 turns (540°) in the opposite direction to obtain a 1.5 mm gap.



3. Using the wrench, hold the nut in place and tighten the fork.
4. Reassemble the piston lock on the piston.
5. Reinstall the local 3 (or local 2) box(s).
6. Reinstall the left and right bridges.
7. Turn on the air pressure, and connect the main power cable.
8. Start up the machine.

Test

1. Activate the gripper and verify the following:
• Gripper bearing does not hit the edges of the slot in the gripper actuator guide
• Drum spins freely (move the drum manually to check)
• HP and EP detector flags enter the HP and EP detectors freely
• The up-and-down movement on both sides of the gripper system is equal, and occurs at the same speed and time.
2. Close the rear door of the machine.

Logistics

Approved quantities:

Material Disposition

Dispose of old activator guide (P/N 290B8L596)

Document number

Technical contact

Mario Amir

Product Support Manager: Haim Vaknin

Date submitted