AB Dick 360 Questions

[heraldnews]

We recently picked up an AB Dick 360, which is supposed to print 11x17. Is there something special you have to do to get it to print on that size paper? The suckers keep grabbing the tail end of the sheet.

 

[Ret Heidelberg Instructor]

I don't know much about AB Dicks but it sounds like the timing is out. You may be feeding the sheet in out of time, and getting away with it but then the suckers come down and grab the tail end of the sheet. If it has a hand crank see if you can feed the sheets through manually via the crank handle with the suction on and check the sheet travel. Just a guess but check it out.

 

[almaink]

Or maybe the suction is set wrong (to high). A real ABDick operator would know but you'd need to hire one to find out,
and save money in the long run too.

 

[pdan]

I don't know much about AB Dicks but it sounds like the timing is out. You may be feeding the sheet in out of time, and getting away with it but then the suckers come down and grab the tail end of the sheet. If it has a hand crank see if you can feed the sheets through manually via the crank handle with the suction on and check the sheet travel. Just a guess but check it out.

Ret's spot on. There's not a lot to a 360, and I can guarantee that more than a few operators have adjusted whatever it took to keep it running.
From the Factory, a Ryobi 3302/Itek 3975 is only spec'd to run a 17.75 inch sheet. The first time you need to run 12 x 18 you realize that you need to modify the feed section or sucker feet a few degrees.

Stare at it long enough, find the cam that opens the nickel size vacuum break, loosen some bolts, move a cam or follower, tighten averything back up.

 

[flash96xp]

Turn the sucker feed dial to 36. When it grabs the sheet and puts it in the feed rollers the suckers will still be pushing inwards so it can get out of the way for the sheets to pass through.

 

[RGPW17100]

Also check the cylinders are in the correct position. Turn the flywheel till the lead edge of the plate cylinder just comes in line with the blanket cylinder. The two should line up exactly. We used to stick a screw driver between the bars near the cylinders and jump the cylinders in order to use one plate for two up business cards. A bad jam could also cause these to not line up correctly