Regarding usage of perfector in Heidelberg SM 102-4P (Age: 2001)

[heidelberg.vikram]

Hello

My colleague is looking to finalize a 2001 Heidelberg SM 102-4P Four Color with 2+2 Perfector system. He has a few queries regarding the machine:

1. He will be using it only as a 4/0 Straight and the Perfector will never be used once the machine reaches his factory. His Engineer has informed him that unless he uses the perfector regularly, there will be chances ink registration problems over a period of prolong usage.

Is this true ? (My colleague runs 250 GSM Board throughout the year)


2. Is this press suitable for 400 GSM Board ? What could be the maximum thickness (in gsm) that can run smoothly on this machine without forming any cracks on the board ?

3. What is the total power consumption of this press (in kW) ?

Would be very helpful if I could get opinions from experts and pressmen who had experience working on this machine.

 

[NotAGooner]

I may be wrong but I can't see why there would be any problem with register by not using it in Perfector mode, the same grippers are being used in straight printing as they are in Perfecting, albeit by different cams?

I only know paper weight in pounds or caliper, by my reckoning 400 GSM is about 18 PT, it shouldn't be a problem printing that weight but a better machine would be a CD for better transfer without marking?

 

[heidelberg.vikram]

Hi,

The Engineer says that the perfector gripper - unless they are put to use once in a while, may get a little bit worn out and cause problem in carrying sheet properly.

I find it hard to believe that a product from Heidelberg would cause a problem such as this.

 

[junker1984]

Properly maintained, lubricated and cleaned periodically, should not cause the problems your engineer mentioned. However, if you ran mainly in straight printing, and only occasionally in perfect, and.... repeat and... you have to have the gear mesh readjusted for proper sheet transfer in straight printing, the wear factor in that portion of the pinion and rack gears will mainly be in the straight printing usage areas, and may cause a problem trying to get the bar to operate properly in perfect mode. This may require replacement of pinion gears and segement gears, very expensive proposition. There may be some who disagree with this, but I stand by my opinion.

 

[exheidmech]

You should have no problem at all running a SM102 with perfector only in straight printing mode. The pincer bar does the same ammount of work in straight printing as perfecting mode. Wear should not be an issue either if properly maintained. I have worked on many many presses with perfectors. I have seen presses with over 200 million on the original pincer bar and gear segments. You may need to replace the cam followers and the bearings inside the segments but thats pretty much it. If the press was poorly maintained, all bets are off. The only issue will be if he does at some point decide to run this press in perfect after running only in straight for months on end. He may have to clean the perfect cams so the cam followers have a clean surface to run on.

 

[aqazi81]

@exheidmech. On my SM 102, There is too much lateral movement in spring loaded grippers on pincer bar. not all grippers but from center to DS. is it ok or something worn out?

 

[exheidmech]

@exheidmech. On my SM 102, There is too much lateral movement in spring loaded grippers on pincer bar. not all grippers but from center to DS. is it ok or something worn out?

It sounds like there is a bit of excessive wear on some of the spring loaded gripper holders. If its not effecting the print I would probably do nothing. Its not easy to replace the spring loaded gripper holders. Pretty much the whole pincer bar needs to be disassembled. A jig is needed to properly reasemble the gripper bar, not an easy fix even for the most experienced perfector mechanic.

 

[aqazi81]

yes i do have a fit issue, perfector is in 2nd unit and i cant register the units after the perfector... on large sheet the corner register marks are ok but fit isuue is from the center of the sheet... can i adjust the spring loaded grippers to correct this?

 

[exheidmech]

yes i do have a fit issue, perfector is in 2nd unit and i cant register the units after the perfector... on large sheet the corner register marks are ok but fit isuue is from the center of the sheet... can i adjust the spring loaded grippers to correct this?

We are getting off topic of the original post, but short answer is no. Fit issues related to the perfector usually comes from the fixed gripper. You will need a curve gauge to check and then correct fixed gripper. It is best to first make sure your gear segments and cam followers are new. I never adjust fixed gripper height with used cam followers. After this is done, then adjust the spring loaded grippers to correct pretention and opening/closing times.

 

[aqazi81]

ok....Thanx for your reply

 

[rapida guy]

in short, your friend is buying the wrong machine. If he is going to run straight, stay away from any perfector as there are reasons it will never peform as a straight machine. If he is going to run board, don't buy a SM Classic machine. A CD or another make would be a much better shoice. In my experience, .016 or higher, the SM Classic design will have problems.

 

[NotAGooner]

SM 102 Ps run great in straight mode, I can't see the problem but you're right, if he's going to be running mainly board stock, he's better off with a CD.