We have 3 sm perfectors, one being an 8 color that we run coated 70# full coverage 4/4 work 24/7. Most pincer bars need to be rebuilt around 50 million impressions if running high quality 4/4 coated work, however the newer "eccentric" perfectors can go longer. What Heidelberg is doing is re-shimming the hight of the bar so the fixed gear meshes correctly with the segment gear while also keeping the grippers on the pincer bar in time with the storage drum and transfer cylinder. The job usually takes 2-3 days with two guys depending on what needs to be replaced. Sometimes only the fixed gear needs to be re-pinned, other times the segment and fixed gears need to be changed or we have have seen where the entire bar needs to be replaced. While they are in there all cam-followers will be replaced also.
A quick easy way to check your bar is grab the bottom gripper (the fixed gripper) on the pincer bar and see if it moves. Technically there should be no movement, the more the fixed gripper moves the worse shape your bar is in. You will also fit problems front to back and register problems at the perfector.
It's a tedious job and there's really no way to do it fast, the bar has to come out and checked multiple times to get the height correct you can't rush the job. Sometimes the bars go in nice, sometimes they have to come out 2-3 times to get the shims correct. You need someone that knows what they are doing otherwise 3 months later you will be buying a new bar ($$$$$!).
We rebuild our 8 color ever two years to maintain quality standards. Our older 98 640 has not been rebuilt in over 5 years/100 million because we only run 4/1 work that is not critical front to back register, the speed suffers though the press will not run at speed while in perfecting.
Using Heidelberg the job will cost $25,000 and up (and up and up...) depending on what you need.
Mike
