Newer Kluge EHD vs. Older Kluge EHD

Hi all,

I’m looking for a little bit of help with an older model kluge EHD 14x22 press.

I used to operate a newer EHD model with adjustable impression arms but have recently taken a job where I’ll be running an older model EHD that has spring arms and makes more use of the bearer blocks.

So, my questions are:

1. Do I use the bearer blocks to help reduce overall impression? For example, an emboss with a .030” counter that is causing the paper to crack should require an equivalent of .030” phenolic board on the bed under each bearer block?

2. Do the springs in each arm “give” to prevent over-impression?

3. Is the combination of bearer blocks and the spring arms create a “self-leveling” effect?

4. When I am die-cutting a large forme, I’ve noticed I need a significant amount of packing to compensate for the compression of the springs. How far can I push it, and will the impression stay consistent as the springs compress over the course of a run?

5. Can the springs in the arms be changed or adjusted for greater resistance to compression?

Thank you!

Log in to reply   3 replies so far

I got a hold of the manual for the older machine and found that the spring arms can be switched out of “dwell mode” and made rigid for die cutting with a separate set of bushings and adjusting the bed. Very different from other kluge models.

This should solve it for me.

The dwell feature used to be very useful years ago when foil was rather finicky. The longer time on impression was needed. A long block was used for regular running, with a shorter block used for dwell. when setting up for dwell, a spacer is placed under the 4 corner adjustment bolts, so the platen is higher. It hits the bed earlier impression, the springs apply initial contact, the press bottoms out against the short block, and opens later. some would damage dies or honeycombs by switching to long block but forgetting to take out the spacer.
Now days, foil is much, much better, and unless you are doing large panels, say 4 x 5” and bigger, the dwell often is more problem than benefit.
The problem is, the dwell arm barrels, rollers, filler blocks, whatever you want to call them, wear… they compress. All of the pressure of the impression goes onto that small area of the ends of those filler blocks. when these shorten, you either have to adjust the platen, which then often gives too much pressure for very small images, or add Makeready pressure and use bearer blocks all the time.
I have removed the barrels, and springs altogether. With this new set up, the pressure, which is pounds per square inch, is now distributed over 5-6 times the area. This reduces the tonnage and thereby, stress. I have never seen a set of my blocks wear, at all…. It is a permanent fix. The platen can be adjusted and pressure remains steady. i rarely use bearer blocks any more. If you do use bearer blocks, you should be using be a makeready on the plate AND UNDER the plate. Just as with a die area.

image: dwellspacer.jpg

dwellspacer.jpg

image: dwellarmfillerblock.jpg

dwellarmfillerblock.jpg

Thank you very much for your insight Eric m.

Since you wrote your reply, I’ve gotten used to making the switch between the shorter and longer filler blocks. At first, I thought I could get away with making a permanent switch (removing the horseshoe washers and raising the platen) but I found the impression too heavy for many embossing jobs as I use a variety of dies and counters. So far I’m compensating by inserting the shorter barrel arms and preventing the press from bottoming out. Some hefty makeready is needed under the platen sometimes.

Your solution looks great. That area does take on a lot of pressure and I can see how your fix would really help as time goes on. I’m accustomed to the adjustable arms on a new EHD model. Every one seems a little different.