General Instructions

These instructions are for standard adjustable labeling machines and should be used accordingly. Special adjustable machines for bottles, jars, screw top cans, etc., always have special instructions for setting machine – each size container having separate instructions. These should be read carefully, together with the general instructions before any adjustments are made.

TO SET MACHINE

See that machine is properly oiled. When starting a new machine check carefully before plugging it in to make sure that three step drive pulley is running in proper direction as indicated by red arrow on the pulley. Clean machine thoroughly after each day’s run and lubricate well. See that paste and gum pots have proper amount of adhesive. Be sure that pick-up gum is sufficiently hot so that the gum pot drive shaft can be rotated by hand. If this shaft turns freely it may then be connected and started.

1. DIAMETER ADJUSTMENT: Measure diameter of can to be labeled with scale on label shelf. Then loosen clamp nut on column under motor belt drive and turn diameter adjustment handle in direction necessary to bring diameter measured on scale in line with top of gauge block. Then tighten clamp. See Instruction Sheet 1.

2. GUM POT ADJUSTMENT: Loosen clamp on front of gum pot, and turn outside knob until brass pointer at right side of pot is in line with corresponding figures of diameter measurement of can. For example, for a 3-1/4” diameter can set pointer at 3-1/4”. Then tighten clamp. See Instruction Sheet 5. Sometimes small diameter cans will miss a label because the gum pot sets very close to the pick-up end, with the result that the gum does not have the proper adhesiveness to pick the label with one revolution of the can. As long as can is not over 2-1/4” diameter it can be given two revolutions to overcome this. For instance, a can measuring 2-3/16” diameter multiplied by 2 would equal 4-3/8”. Then set gum pot at 4-3/8” which will give the 2-3/16” can two revolutions before picking up label.

3. HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT: Before proceeding with this adjustment BE SURE TO HAVE THE MACHINE RUNNING. The reason for this is because the gum rolls, can tracks, guide rails, and carrier frame are so constructed that all move in and out as one unit. Be sure, however, before starting the machine that the pick-up gum is melted to liquid and the gum pot drive shaft connected. Read Instruction Sheet 6, 7 or 8, carefully, noting that cans with small height require the outside gum rolls in a different position than taller cans. Now measure height of can. Loosen clamp on side of gauge in center of machine (See Instruction Sheet 4) and turn height adjustment handles (See Instruction Sheets 1 and 2) in direction necessary to bring height of can just measured to edge of hole through which the gauge passes. Then tighten clamp.

4. FEED AND DISCHARGE CHUTE ADJUSTMENT: Adjust Feed Chute Guide Strip on Stationary Guide Rail side first. Set this strip in line with stationary guide rail of machine. Then adjust strip on flexible guide rail side to leave approximately 1/8” clearance for container to roll into machine. Discharge chute strips are to be adjusted so that container will roll out of machine freely.

5. LABEL FEED EQUALIZER: The label feed equalizer is mounted on both label guides of the Models C10, C10S, and PG labelers. Its purpose is to keep the automatic label feed equalized for any size container from a small diameter to a large diameter. For all containers up to and including 3-1/2” diameter keep the adjustment bar in under the equalizer block. For all larger containers slide the bar out from beneath the equalizer block. See Instruction Sheet 14. No adjustment is needed on the Model MH since it is self-adjusting.

As mentioned above the foregoing instructions are for standard cans only. Labelers which handle other size containers as well have marks which are labeled, A, B, C, etc. and a special instruction sheet is furnished for each container with instructions on how to set the machine.

TO PUT LABELS IN MACHINE

Before placing labels in machine, see that center label plate, which is easily removed, is of proper width to receive pack of labels. The proper plate should be from 1” to 2” narrower than labels. These limits should be adhered to. See Instruction Sheet 11. Always see that labels are well separated before placing in machine, since they sometimes stick together because of varnish or printers’ ink. This is overcome by holding pack of labels tightly in center and roughing ends thoroughly. If stick together very badly, pound ends gently over edge of label shelf.

If labels are not thoroughly separated as indicated above, the containers, in passing over labels, will pick up two or more, depending on quantity stuck together, and will then drop the surplus labels when half over the pack. The following containers will pick up the labels. However, these labels will have no paste on the lap end.

Also, see that labels are of proper dimension for the container to be labeled. All labels should be long enough to lap over from ½” to 3/8”. For cans, the label width should be at least 3/32” narrower than the distance between the beads. For glass, the label width should be at least ¼” less than the length of the straight section of the body of the bottle or jar. For first pack of labels, have side label guides set from 1/8” to ¼” wider than labels. This dimension can be gauged by placing labels on label bed and adjusting side guides in or out to the above approximate dimension.

Care should be taken so that ends of labels are pushed back evenly against center guide at pick-up end of label bed. Then raise label bed until labels are approximately ¼” below top of side label guides. See Instruction Sheet 10.

For final adjustment of guides, operator should look down through machine allowing himself a good view of top of labels and guides. Then adjust guides by turning outside knobs in just tight enough so that labels do not bulge in center. If guides are set too tight, this may interfere with picking up labels. If set too loose, paste will run over the edge of labels or cause containers to slip off edge of tracks. See Instruction Sheet 11.

Then adjust paste pot by reaching under machine and loosening clamp screw, and moving pot until paste belt overlaps ends of labels ¼”. Tighten clamp. See Instruction Sheet 11.

Now raise labels until the top of them is even with top edge of Can Tracks (See Instruction Sheet 13) just at point where containers come in contact with pick-up end of labels.

When first starting to label, always inspect the containers following the first one, observing if the pick-up end of label is evenly placed on container, and if the lap end of label is in line with the pick-up end. If labels are straight on containers, machine is now ready for labeling. If not straight, see Instruction Sheet 11 at “A”.