GTO ink fountain roller problems.

Hello
I have a problem with ink fountain chrome roller on
gto 52 single color (1980's).

The rollers spins correctly during a run then intermittently
gets stuck for a few seconds.

Any ideas on what to look for to correct the problem?

Thanks

 

Sounds like your ink duct clutch is slipping and needs to be replaced. Located in the operator side guard.

 

Yeah, as already noted it is the clutch that is slipping. One thing you can try is remove the lube line going to the clutch and flush the oil out of the clutch with a mild solvant. This may buy you a little bit of time but you will need to replace the clutch eventually.

 

Thanks part is on the way. Also replacing the brass end blocks since ink is dripping out on both sides.
Should the brass ends touch the chrome roller just on the sides but not around the outer ends of roller ?
I see there is an adjustment bolt to bring the fountain closer or further away from the chrome roller.
Previous owner had blade set to close so I backed off blade. Just want to know proper way to set up
the fountain as well.
thanks again for the help.

 

You have to get the ink duct to its correct position first if it has been changed. It basically needs to be centered in relation to the duct roller using the new brass ends adjust so the outside of the roller matches the inside of the brass ends not to high or to low. Those 2 bolts are to adjust the angle not distance.*


With all the keys backed off the gap between the blade and the roller should be 0.25mm open the capscrews below to adjust. The 2 brass ends should be only just touching the ends of the roller.

It should all be nice and square with no gaps between the blade and brass ends.*


The duct roller should also have a groove around both ends they are normally covered in dry ink and not visable so you need so scrape out the ink with a small screwdriver. You then fill the groove up with grease this helps with wear and sealing.*

 

Thanks C, I noticed the grooves after cleaning up the dried ink, makes sense.
As far as the two bolts to adjust Angle is there a measurement it needs to be set at?

 

Angle is determined by gauging blocks...Heidelberg tooling. Shouldn't be adjusted for simply replacing the blade. Gap to roller is set by moving blade forward or back, using only the "play" in the through holes of fountain. Square blade to roller and one end block, then carefully fit (with file) to other block. Blade is not "plug and play". If you're using aftermarket blade, good luck.

 

thanks for the tips! working great now.

 

We had the same problem. The fountain roller was not spinning as it should on 3rd unit.
We replaced the clutch. A few months it was OK an now it is the same problem.
Anyone has an idea why this would happen in just few months.

 

If heidelberg fitted the clutch I would get them back as they normally give a warranty on their work.
If it was non genuine part maybe that's the reason.
Also the new clutch should be filled with oil before fitted and not run dry and make sure the oil tube lines up to the hole in the clutch.

 

Condition of fountain blade/roller is also a concern. If you are "scraping" the blade to the roller with too much pressure to make up for worn out components, you may be putting too much load on the one way bearing. Just a thought.

 

thanx for the answers.
It is original heidelberg part and it was fitted with oil. I will check oil line in a few days.
Fountain roller and blade don't have noticeable scratches and resistance of roller is about the same on all units