Magazine Feedbelt System

Wexxar has developed a case blank conveyance system which far surpasses the feedshaft-based systems previously available to Wexxar customers. Feedshafts, while providing a reliable backpressure at low case-per-minute rates, simply don’t provide sufficient friction to reliably keep case blanks in a vertical position against the case separator at high speeds. In general, customers with large cases will benefit most from replacing their old feedshaft systems with feedbelt systems.

Furthermore, cases that are conveyed using feedbelts are not subject to the vertical fluctuations associated with cam-style feedshafts. These fluctuations can cause cases to enter the forming area out-of-square. The feedshaft undulations can also cause cases to fold over underneath the case corrugate stack.

The feedbelt system relies on two independent pneumatic control mechanisms: the magazine pusher arm, complete with an adjustable regulator, and pressure switches (tabs) mounted on the injector plate, which automatically regulate the forward pressure that’s applied to the cases.

An injector fitted with pressure switches is recommended for use with the feedbelt assemblies. The pressure switches are pneumatically linked to the magazine feedbelts so as to tie the forward movement of the feed of case flats to the injector movement and the erection of each case. This linkage reduces case jams by stopping the advance of case flats when there is a pause or interruption in the case erection process.

Engineering improvements to the pressure switch design, and in PLC control software, have resulted in ever-increasing precision in pressure regulation and control. This makes Wexxar’s upgraded retro-fit kit a viable investment even for customers that have existing Wexxar magazine feedbelt systems controlled by out-of-date pressure switch actuation techniques. This is especially true of customers that wish to increase their machine throughput by a reduction in the frequency of case jams due to a more efficient pressure regulation system.

Some machines may require the replacement of the sliding frame (A-frame) in order to accommodate the new feedbelt assembly housing. The retro-fit kit is tailor-made to your specific machine, and includes all required pneumatic hoses, weldments, electrical wires, fittings, fasteners, schematics and assembly drawings that are required to upgrade your machine.

Customers with WF-2H and WF-2T machines with Wexxar’s original feedbelt configuration will also benefit from the addition of a stronger magazine pusher arm assembly and a modified injector backing plate that incorporates feedbelt actuators. Consult your nearest Wexxar representative or authorized agent for details.

1. Turn off the machine power at the main electrical disconnect and discharge all pneumatic power from the machine. Conform to lock-out / tag-out procedures as required by local rules and regulations.
2. Disconnect each pneumatic hose from its connection on the feedshaft assembly by pressing down on the orange collar and pulling out the hose.
3. All screwed fasteners should be prevented from loosening by adding a flat washer (closest to the machine part) and a lock washer (closest to the screw head).
4. Except where otherwise stated, all bolted fasteners should be prevented from loosening by adding a flat washer on the bolt-head end of the fastening and a flat washer and lock washer on the nut end of the fastening.
5. All bolted or screwed fasteners should be further prevented from loosening through the application of Loctite. Please consult the Loctite Technical Bulletin to determine which Loctite formula to use for each of the fasteners.

1. Using two ½” wrenches, remove each of the eight bolts from the feedshaft ‘A’ adjust sleeves. Remove the feedshafts.
2. Use a 3/16” wrench to remove the four mounting bolts that secure the injector backing plate assembly to the injector base assembly. Remove the injector backing plate assembly.
3. Using the original fasteners, replace the assembly with the new injector backing plate which has the feedbelt actuator tabs.
4. The old and new injector backing plate assembly mounting holes are the same. Replace and tighten the bolts in the existing holes.

(See drawing #63-3377)

1. Using two 9/16” wrenches, remove the bolt on the bracket arm mount of the magazine pusher carriage, and remove the magazine pusher arm (optional).
2. Use a 3/16” Allen key to remove the bi-fold door interlock switch and magnet from the old magazine frame.
3. Detach the red pneumatic hose from the magazine pusher regulator switch. Remove one end of the hose from the magazine frame assembly, but leave the remaining section in place.
4. Using a ½” wrench, detach the bi-fold door latch assembly from the magazine frame end plate nearest to the bi-fold door. Retain the latch assembly and fasteners for future use.
5. Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the four plastic hole caps covering the capscrews which secure the magazine frame assembly.
6. Using a ¼” Allen key, remove the four socket head screws which attach the magazine frame assembly to the ‘A’ adjust lock slides. Remove the assembly.

(See drawing #63-2406)

1. Using two 9/16” wrenches, remove the three bolts which hold each of the angle mounts attaching the ‘A’ adjust slide base assembly to the machine frame.
2. Remove the ‘A’ adjust slide base assembly from the machine.
3. Using a 7/16” wrench, remove the two capscrews which attach the ‘A’ adjust angle mounts and the slide base spacers to the ends of the two outer slide tubes.
4. Turn the kip handles to loosen the four ‘A’ adjust sleeves and remove the sleeves by sliding them off of the outer slide tubes.
5. Screw the kip handles loosely into their holes in the four replacement ‘A’ adjust sleeves.
6. Insert the ‘A’ adjust sleeve lock clamps into position in each of the four sleeves.
7. Holding the lock clamps in place, slide each of the new ‘A’ adjust sleeves onto the outer slide tubes, taking care to orient them such that the kip handles are facing towards the infeed end of the machine and are on the ends of the ‘A’ adjust sleeves which are closest to the magazine pusher assembly.
8. Tighten the kip handles. When they are tight, they should be at an angle which keeps them clear of the frame cover plates.
9. Using a 7/16” wrench and the original mounting HH capscrews, reattach the ‘A’ adjust angle mounts and the slide base spacers to the ends of the two outer slide tubes.

1. Using two ½” wrenches and eight 5/16” X 3” bolts and nuts, attach the two feedbelt assemblies to the ‘A’ adjust sleeves.
2. Connect the supplied pneumatic hoses to the valves on the new injector backing plate assembly, to the pneumatic manifold, and to the cylinders in the outfeed end of the feedbelt assembly housing. The hoses are attached by pressing them into position. No tools are required. Use the following connections for each magazine and valve pair (the connection points are marked in relief on the valves).
   • a. Tops of cylinder to manifold red connection point - red hose
   • b. Valve #3 point to bottom of magazine cylinder - black hose
   • c. Valve #2 point to manifold black connection point - black hose

(See drawings #63-3377 and 63-2302)

1. Using the mounting capscrews from the old magazine frame, mount the new magazine frame onto the ‘A’ adjust lock slides.
2. Replace the four plastic hole caps to cover the capscrew holes.
3. Use a 3/16” Allen key and two ¼” X 1½’ socket head screws to attach the old bi-fold door interlock switch and magnet to the new magazine frame.
4. Reattach the red pneumatic hose to the magazine pusher regulator switch.
5. If the replacement magazine pusher arm is not already attached to the magazine pusher arm mounting bracket, use two 9/16” wrenches to remove the bolt on the mounting bracket, which secures the magazine pusher arm. Position the end of the magazine pusher arm within the mounting bracket and reinsert and secure the bolt to attach the pusher arm.
6. Using a ½” wrench, remove the top two bolts which secure the outer end plate nearest to the bi-fold door end of the magazine frame assembly.
7. Using a ½” wrench, two 5/16” X 1½” screws, and the screw holes used in Step 6, attach the bi-fold door latch assembly to the end plate of the magazine frame assembly.
8. Replace the ‘A’ adjust slide base assembly on the machine.
9. Using two 9/16” wrenches and the original bolts, nuts, and washers, replace the three bolts which hold each of the angle mounts which attach the ‘A’ adjust slide base assembly to the machine frame.

1. Use a 7/16” wrench or a 3/16” Allen key to remove the four screws holding the rear sliding frame cover and remove this cover plate.
2. Place the sliding frame support bracket into position such that one urethane roller is below the level of the rear sliding frame cover and within the gap in this cover. Orient the support bracket so that the rollers are facing towards the ‘A’ adjust lock slide and so that one roller is above the lock slide and the other is below it. Fit the support bracket in this position and flat against the side of the lock slide.
3. Ensuring that the magazine guide rail support bracket is in proper position and oriented exactly at right angles to the magazine guide rail, transfer-punch the two screw holes from the upper end of the magazine guide rail support bracket into the outer side of the magazine guide rail.
4. Remove the magazine guide rail support bracket and drill two 13/64” holes in the flanges of the magazine guide rail. Tap ¼-20 NC threads in the holes. Use a 7/16” wrench and two ¼” X ¾” HH capscrews to secure the magazine guide rail support bracket to the magazine guide rail.
5. Using a 7/16” wrench or a 3/16” Allen key and the original fasteners, screw the new rear sliding frame cover into place. Ensure that the cutaway section is oriented towards the infeed end of the machine on the mast side. If the replacement rear sliding frame cover does not fit your machine, do not install the cover.