Basic Preventative Maintenance For Class 31200 Machines

Union Special Corporation's Class 31200 high-speed, feed-up-the-arm taping machines handle the second part of the two-part shoulder and collar taping operation on knit garments. These machines feature fully-automatic lubrication, lightweight parts, and needle bearings to assure dependability.  The Class 31200 machines produce stitch and seam type 401 SSag-3 (inv.) and have a stitch range of 8 to 14 SPI, at 3500 RPM.

The routine maintenance of this machine, as well as any machine, is always important to maintaining performance, dependability and quality. This maintenance should be performed at least twice a year or every 2000 operating hours.

1. Drain the old oil from the reservoir. To do this, remove the plug screw located below the looper thread take up housing, Figure 1, and tip the machine slightly so that all of the old oil will drain.
    
2. Remove the rear chamber cover and, using a rag, remove excess oil and  other contaminants that could be in the oil reservoir chamber, Figure 2. Also check for any shake or binds that may be in any of the parts and repair or replace as needed. Replace the cover after this area has been cleaned.
    
3. Remove the cylinder cover and, using a rag, remove any contaminants that may be in this area. Also check for shake or binds and repair or replace as needed, Figure 3. Replace the cover after this area has been cleaned.
    
4. Remove the presser foot (with taping folder attached), throat plate and cylinder end cover and remove any lint that may have accumulated in this area, Figure 4. This can be done using a small brush, a rag or compressed air. Also, check for wear on the presser foot, taping folder, throat plate, feed dogs, loopers and needle guard and repair or replace as needed. When this area has been thoroughly cleaned and the parts checked, replace the throat plate, presser foot and cylinder end cover.
    
5. Remove the head cover and remove any lint or other contaminants that may be in this area, Figure 5. This can be done by using a small brush, a rag or compressed air. Before replacing the head cover it is recommended to place a few drops of oil on the needle bar and needle bar connection in case all of the oil has been removed.
    
6. Check the looper thread take-up area for an accumulation of lint or thread and remove as required, Figure 6. Also, check the looper thread take-up cam and cast off plate for nicks, burrs or wear and repair or replace as needed.
    
7. Check the various thread contact surfaces, such as eyelets, tension discs, needles, and thread stand for nicks, burrs or worn parts and repair or replace as needed, Figure 7.
    
8. After the above maintenance has been performed, make sure the oil plug and covers have been replaced, place the machine on a level surface and fill the main reservoir, Figure 8, until the oil is visible between the two red lines of the oil gauge located beneath the cylinder arm, Figure 9.
    
9. Once the machine has been properly filled with oil it is recommended to run the machine slowly for a few minutes to let the oil flow to the critical areas.

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