Wash-up Problems

Discussion in 'Heidelberg Printing Presses' started by old school 52, Mar 7, 2016.

  1. old school 52

    old school 52 Member

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    Hi,
    Running a 13 year old SM2/52. I refilled the auto washer tanks the other day and all of a sudden my blanket and impression cylinders will not receive solvent when programed to wash. Rollers are fine. Any ideas?
    Thanks
     
  2. AKJ

    AKJ Member

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    Reno NV
    Check the air pressure and make sure the check-valves are working. Is the press going through the cycle like its working?
    IF not it could be an electrical problem.
     
  3. old school 52

    old school 52 Member

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    The pressure seems fine and the cycle is working OK. I'm thinking there is a blockage somewhere or a a valve is not working correctly. Where would I find the check valves?
     
  4. spikeboy

    spikeboy Senior Member

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    you should be able to go into service menu and test each unit to see if wash is going through system
     
  5. exheidmech

    exheidmech Senior Member

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    If you have a press that is 13 years old, around a 2003 model, you would have a pressurized solvent tank. Presses with a pressurized solvent tanks do not have check valves. The system is always pressurized unless you are filling the tank. It is nearly impossible for all blanket washers to fail at the same time. Only way I have seen that is when water was accidentally put into the solvent tank for the blanket washers. My suggestion would be to check each individual unit. Remove washer and purge each unit one at a time and visually check to see if you are getting solvent coming out of the tubes. Sometimes those nozzles become clogged. If you did accidentally get water into the solvent portion of the tank, you have got your work cut out for you. Tank will need to be removed and flushed out. Also, you will need to work through the system the water that is already in the tubes. Only way to do that is to purge all the water out manually. Solvent solenoid valves then might give you problems. They dont like when you put water in the solvent or vice versa. Hope this helps
     
  6. old school 52

    old school 52 Member

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    I have gone to the service menu and done test on each. I hear them working. Water and solvent go to rollers fine. The blankets and back cylinders receive no water and just enough solvent to see a little dampness. Everything runs off the same mainline. I do not see where the water is supposed to enter.
     

  7. exheidmech

    exheidmech Senior Member

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    The solvent tank on your press has 3 separate compartments. 1 for water, which is shared by rollers and blanket/impression washers. 1 for rollers and 1 for blanket/impression washer. I suspect that since you are getting no water or solvent on any units in the blanket/impression washers that there has been some contamination in those lines or in the blanket/impression tank. The only way to find it is to start to disassemble the lines going to the valves. Make sure you are getting water or solvent to the valves. then remove the line from the spray tubes and again manually test each unit and make sure water and solvent are flowing to each unit. It really can only be the valves or the spray tubes. If you dont feel comfortable with this, than have a qualified technician come in and take a look. This is whats going to have to be done though.
     
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