|
Every time you place an object to be engraved in your Wizzard engraver, you are using the many components of the plate clamping carriage assembly. It moves along the Y-axis bridge assembly. Using excessive pressure when tightening a plate in the clamping bars will eventually cause some of the components to fail. You can be sure you are over tightening your plates if you notice your front stop plate is beginning to bend outward toward the clamping knob.
In the early Wizzard models, a brass donut was used in place of the current steel donut. The brass threads wore rapidly, especially with excessive pressure.
Also, if you over tighten the screws used to mount your damping bars (used to hold the plates), you will strip the threads of the holes on the top of the front and rear damping plates.
Whether its failure or preventive maintenance, try this step by step method for working on your clamping carriage assembly. A technical drawing is also used on the opposite page to help you get familianzed with the various parts. The part numbers and prices are also included.
Tools Needed
Small set hex wrenches; 3/32 and 1/16
Breakfree Lubricant or other non-grease lubricant
Cleaning rags and naptha
Screw drivers
Step By Step Procedure
Before doing any repairs or maintenance on your Wizzard, always unplug it from the power source.
Place a piece of masking tape over the gap directly below the clamping rod knob between the Wizzard cover and the pan to prevent dropping a screw or washer down inside your computer. The XL series is already sealed.
Remove only the front clamping bar from the front clamping plate by unscrewing the two pan head screws. If you are not replacing the threaded clamping rod, skip to step 5.
Remove the damping rod knob by loosening the two hex head set screws with the 1/16 hex wrench.
Unscrew the two button head screws holding the front stop plate with the 3/32 hex wrench. Remove the front stop plate and washers.
Grasp the threaded clamping rod and slide the front clamping plate towards you. The threaded rod slides out of the back clamping plate. Note the position of the plastic gibs beneath the clamping plate as they sometimes fall out as you slide the bar off the housing.
Lay the damping plate on a flat surface with the silver donut exposed. If you plan to reuse the existing donut, be sure and mark an "x" on the exposed side of the donut before remov ing it. In working with both new and used donuts, I have found that often one side of the donut’s threads do not work. Try fiipping the donut over, and using the opposite end’s threads.
While pressing in the quick release buttontwhich releases the donut threads from the threaded damping rod), remove the clamping rod. With the rod out you now can remove the button and spring.
Make sure the donut is free of trash. Place a small dab of white grease in both thread ends before reassembling.
The four set screws - 2 on each side for adjusting the gib are only exposed enough to barely show the first thread. Normally, these do not need adjustment.
The notHh on the donut where the quick release button will be inserted should be at the 8’oclock position. Place the spring on the button, and then insert the two in the hole in the clamping plate. Then while pressing the button with your left thumb, place the threaded rod through the damping plate and the donut as shown in the illustration below.
After cleaning and lubricating all exposed parts, reinsert the gibs back in the bar while the bar is laying on its back side, donut exposed.
Using the the thumb and index finger of each hand, grasp the bar holding the gibs in place and replace back on housing. Slide the rod all the way into the back bar
Replace the metal washer, followed by the nylon washer.
Replace the front StOp plate and two screws-make sure the hole for quick release button is on the right side. Replace the other nylon washer on the threaded clamping rod against the front stop plate.
Slide the threaded clamping rod back against the front plate (no slack) and snug the knob on the rod. Tighten knob set screws.
Do not try to adjust the four end set screws in an effort to get the front damping plate parallel to the back bar. The front clamping plate will be at a slight angle because of the quick release spring tension. If you get slipping try two things; flip the donut over, and adjusting the tension of hex set screws on side of damping bar. The gibs should have a lot of play. If still slips,you may have a bad donut.
Replace the clamping bar and screws.
Be sure to HOME your Wizzard before engraving.
|
