Date: 5/19/99

To: Production

From: Ron Shives and Chuck Palmer

Subject: Western Maintenance Conference 1999

Ron Shives and Chuck Palmer attended the Western Maintenance Conference in Santa Barbara, California, on May 16-19. The information gathered during the breakouts was outstanding. The conference has set up a Web Page (www.westernmc.com). Roger Williams from Contra Costa designed the page last year and will update it with this year’s information. A list of contacts with their types of equipment from different shops will be included. Goss had several technical specialists there to help with solving problems discussed during the conference. Goss made a presentation on their new Web Page (www.gossgraphic.com). They went over all the features on the Page. There is a Bulletin Board for users to access during the year. They distributed five new Service Bulletins. Each Bulletin was discussed, as well as, users access to the Bulletin Board. This could help to solve problems during the year. Here is a list of topics discussed:

50" cut down: The Oregonian has completed the 50" cut down. They have information for anyone planning this cut down on Metros and 160 page folders, moving the balloon transfer rollers, fly pockets, nips, and moving RTF tab slitters. Big job! Goss has information for the cut down as well.

Bacteria in fountain solution: Most papers are having problems with bacteria in their dampening systems. Several plants asked us about our procedures to control bacteria. Ron Shives explained how we are using hydrogen peroxide in our dampening systems. We are using one ounce of 10% hydrogen peroxide three times a week in an 80 gallon tank. This has been working successfully at both of our printing sites.

Over feeding of bottom sheets: Someone asked how to stop over feeding on bottom sheets and what causes this problem. Contra Costa said this is common now with three color on doubletruck pages. Some suggestions made were: Extended trolley arms on RTF, LA style nips, and possibly increasing reel tension. Also air on former boards helps. Three color coverage on bottom sheet tends to slow on former boards, causing top sheets to over feed to folder.

Ryco spray bar, spraying directly in inktrains: There was some testing on this. They saw a decrease in master water settings. They asked if other shops had tried this method. No other papers are doing this.

Hydrophilic materials on dampener rollers: Bingham has a softer dampner roller with a durometer of 16 to 20. Contra Costa is currently using these rollers. It is a smooth face roller running in place of the fuzzy roller. They run 5% less water and also have less spray. There is less maintenance involved as far as cleaning this type roller. The standard durometer of the Bingham dampner roller is 24-28.

One piece knives: Santa Barbara, Contra Costa, and LA are using the one-piece knives. IGS sells the pyramid style knives that are thirteen (13) teeth per inch, which was recommended. Goss has a ten (10) teeth per inch knife that leaves a little rougher cut. All said they are easier to install and set. Also have longer knife life and longer time frame between cutting bar change outs. The one-piece knives from IGS are $112.00 each. The four-piece knives we now use cost $160.00 per set.

Preventive Maintenance (PMs): Asked attendees what methods they use to determine when to do PMs; calendar vs. hour meters? By using hours run method there would be a savings of consumables because some units do not run as many hours as others. The group determined that using running hours would be the best method. They asked what types of computer maintenance systems were being used. The Seattle Times and several others use the "Maximo" program. They can design this system to their operation. Our CMMS Mainsaver program has been designed for our operations.

Slitters: Contra Costa changes out there drag slitters every three (3) months. We and many other shops still change out slitters only as needed.

Delivery issues: Several papers have experimented with under cutting their fly wings and stripping shoes by 1/16". Several papers use silicone applicators.

High strength inks: Santa Barbara has tested high strength inks. They could cut the master water down and lower ink settings. Too early to tell if these savings would offset the higher cost of high strength inks.

½ roll paster breaks: On static belt reels. Goss recommended doing speed match tests and checking mechanical measurements on predrives. They identified these as critical settings.

Torquing procedures: Several shops had complaints of bars separating from blankets. At installation, torque blankets at 45 to 50 inch pounds on the center bolts and 35 on the ends. Then on re-torque use 35 on the center bolts and check to see that the end bolts are not loose. Most papers over torque causing the blankets to stretch out and loose gauge.

Straight-line pasters: Goss has software for short tail settings on CT reels for $100. No software for MPCS. CPTC card for early paste cycle. Most felt it was too much training for small results.

Oil pressures issues: 160 page folders -- It was recommended to change out oil filters every three (3) months. Set oil pressure at 61 pounds. If the pump gauge on folder is wired backwards, gauge will read 30 lbs. This could cause a low oil alarm. There may be an oil return issue on Headliner presses on the operator side of the ½ deck units. Someone noticed the collection boxes were not all filling up and one side on units might not be getting enough oil returned. We are having our Mesa machinists check for this problem. Goss is looking at this also and will notify Headliner papers if this is not an isolated problem. Three high folder formers require a larger oil sump.

Static belts: Alaska is running a one-piece brush with static belts. They run different web widths with no problems.

Former nose springs: Orange County and the Oregonian has a mechanical adjustment they added behind the former boards so spring pressure on the former nose can be increased or decreased. This would works well when running large sections. Orange County will send us their set up so we can make a pattern. This would help with wrinkles on nose of sections.

Mercury switches on rails: Mercury switches for Headliner rails are hard to find. Goss has a retrofit for this.

Ink densities: Goss is testing an independently driven VSI roller and new textured cover for K- rollers, which allows for more ink to carry up through the ink train with less fluctuation. Goss has a retro on the VSI roller bearings to eliminate vibration. This is the retro we are receiving from Goss in our Deer Valley Center. Discussion on realsan and nylon ink drum coatings. They asked about any problems with these types of covers on ink drums. Most said they both work well.

Quality issues: Goss had a technical representative to explain the procedures to test presses for ink and water curves. He recommended running the press at different speeds and pulling proofs at each speed. If densities stay the same at each speed, the curves are correct. Dot gain should be 32% +/- 4%. This finger prints each press to create a base line for future reference. Too much ink and water will increase dot gain. Stocatic screening defines density for a specific line screen. We use Ray Reinertson’s system to test ink values and parameters.