Distributor Bending Mats???

[jerme...@sbcglobal.net]

Hi all,

 

Had a query about the above subject... Distributor Bending Mats.

 

Refer to Linotype Machine Principals Book - Chapter 18; pages 251 -263.

1. While standing on the machine back step –  DO NOT open the back screw while there are matrices on the distributor bar.

(looking at the back of the distributor box while standing on machine step)

• Back the machine up so the second elevator arm moves forward and away from the right end of the distributor box.
• Loosen distributor box clamping screw (lever with round end) turn in to the right
• Right hand under distributor box.
• When you loosen screw holding box and note that box moves downward this might be your problem.
  There are flat spots on pins 39 which rest in the bottom of a groove cut into the beam of the machine.
• See #4 on print. Make sure that G-101, cam roll is attached to mat lift. If not the mats don't get lifted high enough to reach the distributor screws and get twisted.
• Check #5 to make sure holes in lift are not elongated. Also #28 screw should not show wear.
  #11, the mat lift is hardened and should show no wear.
• If #5, #11 and #28 ok, place 2 thin spaces into dist. box and with a long skinny screwdriver push the matrixes so they align with the bar point in the dist. box. Then actuate the box lift and make sure that only 1 thin matrix is being lifted at a time.

If that checks out replace the box onto the beam of the machine. Make SURE that the box is hanging down on the 2 flat pins before you tighten the clamping screw.

• Machine drive motor is turned off. Return machine to normal position. (move main cams forward to engage the vertical stopping lever) Stopped position. Also flip the distributor drive belt off the intermediate shaft. Make turning the dist. screws much easier.
• Take a couple lower case "m"s and slide them onto the second elevator bar. Let the dist. shifter push them into the dist. box.
• Slowly with left hand turn the dist. clutch hand wheel (left end of dist. beam) and at the same time watch the dist. box (right end) lift the first matrix upward. Stop turning the hand wheel when the mat lift is on the highest part of the dist. lift cam. (located on the right end of the machines back dist. screw. (page 253, print 2-18, item 27.)
• Refer to page 261, The Matrix Lift; Testing Distributor Box and Adjusting Distributor Lift.
• The 1/32" of lift is not very much. Close to 1/2 of the thickness of a dime ($ .10).
• Remember: if the dist. box is not resting on the flat spots on the aligning pins when clamped into place and rollers, shafts, levers, screws etc. are worn – things aren't going to work right.
• and your machine will keep right on bending matrixes. When you get down to 6 lower case "e"s in your font . . . and don't have a backup font, you might think about getting a California Job Case full of matrixes and a "hand stick" (composing stick) for your typesetting projects.

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• If you should need to raise the back distributor screw, refer to fig. 2-18, Item #51. Press upward on lever #51 and pull dist. screw toward you. It will swing upward and become latched by lever #52.
• When returning the dist. screw to operation position. (see page 262, 3rd. para. down, To Open Back Distributor Screw)
• The back distributor screw gear has a locating pin between two of its teeth. When the screw is closed, the locating pin must mesh with the cut-out portion of the front gear.
• NOTE: You might have to dig out "grease and oil" from both gears as some machines have more than they need. Turn the dist. hand wheel slowly, then mesh gears.
• Now you can turn the drive power for the machine on. Flip the clutch drive belt onto the intermediate shaft drive wheel. Don't forget to twist it the correct way otherwise the distributor will run backwards and you'll have a mess after you cast your first line. When standing behind the machine while the dist. is running, the dist. screw threads should move from your right to the left. (Remember: that's standing behind the machine.)