Label Bed and Label Feed Instructions

LABEL BED: The label bed includes besides the various supports for holding the label in place, several different elements such as springs and knives, each of which is there for a specific purpose.

Springs NL-1117R, NL-1117L and NL-1118A are used to assist the cans in rolling on top of the labels by holding the ends of the labels down. They also help in separating the labels if they have a tendency to stick at this end. These springs should be set approximately 3/16” over the end of the labels and extend approximately 3/16” to ¼” above the labels in their free position. If the springs are down tight on the labels the cans will not pick them up. See Instruction Sheet 13.

Side knives NL-2121 at the pick up end of the labels are used to prevent the labels from creeping backward or forward in the label bed. They should extend from 1/8” to 3/16” beyond the side guides and should be sharpened at least once or twice per week, depending upon the amount of usage.

Knife NL-2120 at the lap end of the label bed is supported in the paste tube retainer bracket and is used only on embossed labels or labels that stick together from ink or varnish. They are used to retain the lower labels in place while the can pulls the top label off the pack. They also prevent two or more labels from pulling out from under the curling bar at the same time. The knives should extend 1/8” to 3/16” beyond the bracket and be kept very sharp.

The label curling bar which lays across the top of the labels at the lap end should be kept as tight as labels will permit without tearing them. Tension springs should be adjusted evenly. This can be checked by dropping the label bed, taking forefinger and pushing up against the lower edge of the bar at the approximate center between the label guides. By observing which side raises first, the proper adjustment can be made. See Instruction Sheet 12. This bar becomes very sticky from paste on labels passing under it. The bar should, therefore, be taken out and washed off from time to time. Be sure to clean the bar every night with a damp cloth or better still take the bar out and wash it.

If the machine runs idle or is stopped for any length of time the top label may stick to the bar and tear off when the next can passes through. It is, therefore, advisable to run one can through the machine to observe if this happens before starting with the full run. This trouble can be prevented if the label bed is lowered when the machine is left idle.

Paste tube NL-290 on the operator’s side is used to assist the belt in carrying the paste over the edge of the labels. This tube should work freely up and down, and in and out of the bracket. A few drops of oil once a day will keep this in shape. Always be sure that they small lip which extends about 1/8” beyond the body of the tube is not worn or broken off. This would cause paste to run down over the side of the labels, damaging them. Furthermore, the 1/8” extension should rest on the edge of the labels. The thrust spring against the shield must be in proper position to keep it against the edge of the labels. See Instruction Sheet 12. The consistency of the paste might also cause it to run down the edge of the labels. If the paste is too thick it will curl down over the edge of the labels where the paste belt leaves the label pack.

LABEL FEED: When labeling, the labels should be automatically kept up even with top edge of can tracks, just at point where containers come in contact with pick-up end of labels. If machine feed mores than 1/32” above this height, the containers will push labels head and cause three or more labels to be picked up at a time. If labels are below this height it will cause containers to miss labels.

When refilling labels it is necessary, of course, to lower the label bed. To do this press down the pawl disengaging lever NL-259 and wind down handle NL-221. Both of these parts are located underneath the label bed.

For refills of similar size labels, no further adjustments are necessary as long as labels remain the same width and length. If longer or shorter labels are used but same width is retained, paste pot only must be moved to correspond to the length of the labels. If wider or narrower labels are used, but same length is retained, guides only must be adjusted in or out, to correspond to the width of labels.

For care and adjustment of the label feed assembly study carefully Instruction Sheets 9 and 10.