162Chapter 4 Platen Gap AdjustmentPlaten Gap AdjustmentIMPORTANT Only do this procedure if the original equipment shuttle frame assemblyor platen was replaced by a new or refurbished unit, or if you wereinstructed to in a troubleshooting procedure.1. Prepare the printer for maintenance (page 154).2. Remove the ribbon cartridge and paper. (Refer to the User’s Manual.)3. Remove the shuttle cover assembly (page 203).4. Loosen the platen open belt (page 158, steps 2, 3, and 4).5. Rotate the platen stop knob (1) until the white pointer is aligned with “A”on the forms thickness label.6. Raise the forms thickness lever (2) to the fully open position.CAUTION Do not force the platen against the feeler gauge and do not move thefeeler gauge laterally across the hammer bank. Damage to the hammertips will result.7. Insert the flat feeler gauge (3) straight down between the hammer bankcover plate (4) and ribbon mask (5), within four hammer positions of theleft end of the hammer bank.CAUTION Adjust the platen setscrews less than 1/4 turn on one side, then checkthe other side. Adjustment sensitivity is approximately 0.03 inch perrevolution of the setscrew. Also, insert the feeler gauge no more than 2inches down from the top of the ribbon mask.8. Gently close the forms thickness lever (2) all the way. As the platen isclosing, gently slide the feeler gauge up and down, keeping it between thehammer tip and ribbon mask. If the feel is too tight when the platen isbeing closed, adjust the 3/32 inch setscrew (6) at the end of the platencounterclockwise. If the feel is too loose, adjust the setscrew clockwise.With the forms thickness lever closed all the way, the feeler gauge shouldcontact both the hammer tips and the ribbon mask and move with lightfriction. Shift the gauge slightly to verify.9. Repeat steps 6 through 8 at the right end of the hammer bank.10. After adjusting both sides, check the gap again at both ends. Readjust ifnecessary.11. When the platen gap is correct at both ends of the platen, adjust theplaten open belt (page 158).12. Install the shuttle cover assembly (page 203).13. Install the ribbon cartridge. (Refer to the User’s Manual.)14. Check the hammer phasing adjustment (page 167).15. Return the printer to normal operation (page 155).
