SERVICE TIP

Troubleshooting Your S63 (formerly 6386) Splitter Setups

Side Knife Setup
The side knife setup is one of the most crucial portions of splitter setup. First, the position must be set. For 16" (406 mm) wide product, the measurement between the take-up plate and the cylinder mounting plate should be 4-7/8" (124 mm). This is the factory setting. For 24" (610 mm) wide product, move the knives out to the stops. Second, adjust the height of the side knives. The side knives should always be set so that the blade is 1/4" (6 mm) above the wear plate. Third, the hydraulic pressure in the side knives is set at the pressure regulating valve sandwiched beneath the side knife solenoid. Pressure is set by manually actuating the side knives back and adjusting the screw while pressure is being applied to the knives. Only 1500 psi systems have this feature and typically, the pressure in the side knives should be between 1200 and 1500 psi. The hydraulic flow setting is usually wide open, but if desired, the side knives can be slowed by the two needle valves in the valve manifold. The side knife pressure gauge is a dual reading gauge. The psi setting is in affect when the side knives travel in as well as out. This is important to remember when making any adjustments. Turning the screw in increases the pressure, turning the screw out reduces the pressure.

Straight Blade Pin Setup
The main splitting blade is segmented into two 13" (330 mm) pieces. These pieces are held in place by a pin. There are two locations for the pin. The holes closest to the centerline are for splitting 16" (406 mm) wide product. The outside holes are for splitting 24" (610 mm) product.

Main Cylinder Flow Control 
The speed of the main cylinder is controlled by a needle valve in the valve manifold. The typical setting is 1- 1/2 to 2 turns open from full closed.

Limit Switches for Main Cylinder
The switches for positioning the main cylinder are located on the infeed side near the valve bank. The upper switch should be set so that the blade is about 1 " (25 mm) above the product. The lower switch should be set so that it trips immediately after the block splits.

Too Slow

• Increase the high speed of bar conveyor

• Increase speed of side knives and top blade

• Too much travel with top blade - 1" to 1-1/4" (25 mm to 32 mm)

Splits Vary

• Oil too heavy

• Not enough time to switch out of bar high speed

• Accumulator not functioning properly (check its charge)

• Pressure fluctuation

• Valve malfunction

• Bar high speed too fast

• Adjust split set point (watch for block moving during splitting action)

• Not enough side knife pressure

• Check the blade alignment

• Check the items under "Splits Vary" (above)

• Product mix design

• Material segregation – height variation

• Too much material at split point

• Compressive strength must be 900 to 1500 psi

Blade Delay in DTAM

There is a setting in the DTAM micro for delaying the main blades start after the side knives have started. This setting is useful when splitting very large block. However, it is advised that this setting only be changed by qualified Besser service personnel or upon the advice of the engineering staff. Obviously, increasing this delay will reduce production rates. 100 = 1 second delay.

The perfect set-up for the splitter would be:

1. The blades are floating so that both top and bottom blades apply the same force.
2. The side knives reach the block before the main blade does and build pressure.
3. All the blades penetrate just far enough to split the block.

Cycle rate is as high as possible - 21 splits/minute is very good.

Posted 20 November 2000