November 2021 Volume 3

MAINTENANCE

Left to Right Adjusting Wedges

Front to Rear Shim Plates

Front View Hammer Base Left to Right Adjusting Wedges

Side View Hammer Base Front to Rear Shim Plates

Important Maintenance Tip: Everything on a Forging Hammer needs to be set up using the centerline of the hammer base, die pocket, piston rod, tie plate, and column/guide inserts. One of the critical dimensions to hold is the distance from lower lip on the back of the Hammer Column to the center line of the guide pocket on both sides of the hammer (LH and RH). If this dimension is not the same on both RH and LH Hammer Columns, the Hammer will run with a twisting action and will experience premature wear factors and possible breakage of the Hammer Columns. Maintaining the hammer components in their correct positions during the original assembly process is controlled by the proper fitting and installation of the wedge assemblies. The Adjusting Wedges control the left to right Hammer Column position adjustment and the front to rear shim plates when properly maintained help to control any twisting action of the hammer during operation. Again, the most critical point of control is centerline of the Hammer Assembly. Important Maintenance Tip: To help to eliminate the excessive forces between the bottom of the Hammer Columns and the top of the Hammer Base you can insert a thin sheet of Fabreeka between the surfaces. Important Maintenance Tip: Everything on a forging hammer needs to be set up using the centerline of the hammer base, die pocket, piston rod, tie plate, and column/guide inserts. One of the critical dimensions to hold is the distance from lower lip on the back of the hammer c umn to the cen er line of the guide pocket on both sides of the hammer (LH and RH). If this dimension is not the same on both RH and LH hammer columns, the hammer will run with a twisting action and will experience premature wear factors and possible breakage of the hammer columns. Maintaining the ham er comp nents in their correct positions duri g the original assembly pr cess is controlled by th proper fitting and installation of the wedge assemblies. The adjusting wedges control the left to right hammer column position adjustment and the front to rear shim plates when properly maintained help to control any twisting action of the hammer during operation. Again, the most critical point of contr l is centerline of the hammer assembly. Important Maintenance Tip: To help to eliminate the excessive forces between the bottom of the hammer columns and the top of the hammer base you ca insert a thi sheet of Fabreeka betwe n the surfaces.

FIA MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2021 25 1. The surface of the cylinder bore and piston. 2. The surface of the piston rod and the bronze rod bushing and seals. Tie Plate Not all hammers have to tie plate. The function of the tie plate is to hold the top of the hammer columns in the proper location which enhances the life of the columns, guides, and the Piston Rod/Cylinder. If the hammer does not have a tie plate the same design configuration for prevention of twist is machined into the face of the cylinder mounts. There is a large key machined into the top of the hammer columns to provide alignment support front to rear on the columns. The left to right upper support is provided by (2) alignment studs under spring tension to control the movement of the upper section of the hammer columns. Air Cylinder (Sometimes called the Steam Chest) The drive unit for the Forging Hammer is located on the top of the machine. It can be Pneumatic, Steam, or Hydraulic. Inside of the cylinder there is a piston and piston rod which is attached to the hammer ram. There are two critical wear points. Tie Plate Not all hammers have to tie plate. The function of the tie plate is to hold the top of the hammer columns in the proper location which enhances the life of the columns, guides, and the piston rod/ cylinder. If the hammer does not have a tie plate the same design configuration for prevention of twist is machined into the face of the cylinder mounts. There is a large key machined into t e top of the hammer columns to provide alignment support front to rear on the columns. The left to right upper support is provided by (two) alignment studs under spring tension to control the movement of the upper section of the hammer columns. Air Cylinder (Sometime called the SteamChes ) The drive unit for the f rging hamm r is lo ated on the top of the machine. It can be pneumatic, steam, or hydraulic. Inside of the cylinder there is a piston and piston rod which is attached to the hammer ram. There are two critical wear points. 1. The surface of the cylinder bore and piston. 2. The surface of the piston rod and the bronze rod bushing and seals.