Old ATOM G.888 Press head comes down and won't stop
I have an old ATOM G.888 20-ton Hydraulic press. This press has run near flawlessly for over 20 years. However it's decided to give us some trouble. Currently it runs about 6 hours a day. And as of a week ago it started coming down even after you take your fingers off the buttons.
In short, you press the two buttons like a normal cutting stroke, only the cutting head does not come to a stop, it continues to go down even after you remove your thumbs from the two buttons, continues past the limit switch in the head that is supposed to trigger it to go back up. It continues to push the cutting die through the cutting board until the board breaks (has happened twice already). The only way to stop the head from coming down is to shut the press off. Once you do the head travels up and then continues to work as normal until it once again decides to descend unabated.
The problem occurs randomly. Sometimes within two minutes of running the press, sometimes it goes the entire six hours without issue. But the trend seems to be every two hours or so. Can't keep wrecking boards at 200.00 a pop so I'm wondering is maybe there's someone out here that has some knowledge of these wonderful presses.
In short, you press the two buttons like a normal cutting stroke, only the cutting head does not come to a stop, it continues to go down even after you remove your thumbs from the two buttons, continues past the limit switch in the head that is supposed to trigger it to go back up. It continues to push the cutting die through the cutting board until the board breaks (has happened twice already). The only way to stop the head from coming down is to shut the press off. Once you do the head travels up and then continues to work as normal until it once again decides to descend unabated.
The problem occurs randomly. Sometimes within two minutes of running the press, sometimes it goes the entire six hours without issue. But the trend seems to be every two hours or so. Can't keep wrecking boards at 200.00 a pop so I'm wondering is maybe there's someone out here that has some knowledge of these wonderful presses.
Drills - Milwaukee Tool - Milwaukee 49 59 2081 1316 Hss Annular Cutter 2 Cutting Depth
Answers & Comments
If the machine is still not working properly please try the following;
Depending on which model 888 yoiu have there is a wheel on the front or a long lever on the front that controls opening of the hadraulic valve. This is used to set the cutting pressure. The lever or wheel when turned to the right will supply hydraulic fluid to bring the head down slowly. When you get the head to the height of the cutting die you will close this valve and the head will stay down so you can set the stroke end cutting microswitch on the right side of the head. There is a knob on the right side of the head that must be loosened so the shaft will come down and you can then lock the microswith in that positon. Then you will open the valve on the front (lever or wheel) alowing the head to go up. This valve must be opened all the way in order for the head to travel up and down at operational speed. If the head does not go up and down as it should then this valve is not opened completely. As far as the head comming down and not going up, this would be the wiring harness traveling from the head down to the left side of the machine into the electrical connections. When the head moves right to left this cord will flex and over time you will get shorts in it which can cause the head to keep going down. There is a wiring diagram that shows the wiring of the machine which is necessary in order for you to figure out which wires are shorting out. If you do not have this please let me know and I will e-mail you the wiring diagram.
Hello Larry Hillman
We bought a g888 with no operational Manual. Do you have one I can purchase?
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We have an Atom G.888 die press and it was working fine, but now we haven't got enough pressure to cut through cleanly. Checked oil, checked belt. Replaced plastic cutting pad. Makes that grunt sound if we use more pressure. Not sure what to do next. Anyone have ideas
Hi,
It seems like it could be a problem with the lower limit switch. Is there a way for you to replace that switch? If so, I'd start there.
Is there a shaft or some mechanical way of contacting the limit switch at the bottom of the stroke? If so, check to see that the piece is secure, and making contact with the limit switch as it should at the bottom of the stroke.
Great, Please keep me updated.
Thanks,
Bill
Great find talking to that guy! Best of luck with the repair.