Preparing the Heidelberg Platen

(With Guides/Lays)
1. Dress the platen by fastening the top pre-cut Manilla topsheet (preferably) along with several sheets of  lighter stock into the bottom bale, insert two or three thin cards in between, make sure they are flush with the lay edges then pull tight and clamp in the top bale. Packing thickness is recommended as .047" which includes the stock to be printed.
2. Make sure the front feed guide standard is set to the normal alignment position. Check the pointer at the base of the standard and alter if necessary.
3. Set all lays to their 'dead-centre' position. Position the left hand lay to suit the job.
4. Set impression screw to light impression by screwing anti-clockwise.

5. Set the left (lay side) standard to position indicated to suit either brass or nickel lays, then set the right standard and the rear fingers to the sheet being printed. Centre the sucker bar to the sheet and load up feeder.
6. Set the adjusting bolt at the top of the gripper head to "using lays" and tighten securely.
7. Place all rollers into their respective positions and run up ink.
8. Lock up forme to suit whichever lays are  being used, (brass

18 points, nickel to edge of chase) then place in bed by lifting on the spring loaded catch.
9. Check for correct position and at the same time adjust impression. If forme prints at the top of the tympan and not at the bottom, then more packing is required and less impression on the screw. Alternatively, if too much impression at the bottom of the tympan, then there is an excess of packing and not enough impression screw. Set delivery table guides.
10. Pre-set ink fountain to suit the job.
11. Adjust suction regulator valve on pump to suit the stock. Light stock requires less than heavy or full size sheets. Adjust the pile height pointer, tilt mechanism, blow-hole height and air-blast to suit. In most cases it is preferable to blow the sheet up to the suckers, with maximum tilt to allow for correct separation instead of having the pile too high, causing "doubles," mis-feeds and excessive grip. Balancing the correct amount of air between feeder and delivery is controlled by regulating taps on the various air lines.
12. Frisket bars (if needed), must be set with care otherwise damage to the forme or bad register will result. To check their position, release the frisket lever which is situated under the right hand side of the flywheel. This allows the friskets to move freely. They are automatically engaged when the machine is started. Thin spring steel lateral frisket fingers can also be attached to the frisket bars if so required. A slight bend or twist in either can cause considerable register problems. Do not bend them on any account.
(Without Guides/Lays)
This method of printing without guides (lays) is effective when printing odd shapes or jobs not requiring exact positioning. Details as above except:
1. Remove bottom lays from slide bar, unlock the slide bar and drop to bottom position.
2. Centre the stock on the feedboard along with the sucker bar.
3. Set the adjusting nut at the top of the gripper head to "without lays"
4. Centre job in chase. (Centre mark is inscribed)
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Preparing the Kluge Platen

Remove side lay, dress the platen and fasten the packing into the bales.
Run up ink
1. Raise inking disc by moving lever towards the drive side.
2. Place steel riders on both forme and distributing rollers.
3. Adjust the movement of the inking disc if necessary.
Position the forme
Allow 3 to 5 ems margin from inside bottom of chase to edge of stock.
Centre stock to the chase from left to right. The chase is held in the bed by a strong clip.

Impression
An impression is taken by holding the clip on the impression lever. Position is obtained and bottom lays fixed in usual manner. The side lay may be left until makeready is attached.
Side lay
To set side lay, pull frisket bars down on to platen. This causes side lay to move to required position. It is important to make sure that the side lay is sitting  flat  on  the  packing.  Set sheet holding

tongue to lightly hold the sheet. This must not overlap by more than 2 ems.
Feeder arm
Lower feeder arm and unlock. Place sheet in lays, turn machine until feeder suckers are 3/8'' from front lay edge. Position suckers to clear front lays and ensure that the sheet goes under the side lay guide. Mark position of sucker or foot nearest side lay. If necessary adjust sucker release valve.
Delivery arm
Loosen clamp allowing arm to swing down and release delivery lock. Turn machine until delivery arm is at its lowest point of travel. Set suckers to clear tympan by 2 points and near the back edge of sheet in non-printing areas. Turn the machine until the magazine can be locked.
Magazine
Place the marked sheet in the magazine and turn the machine until the feeder arm is over the magazine. Set side standards so that the marked sheet lines up with the sucker or foot.
Pile height
This is regulated  by the adjusting screw:
*  turning to the right lowers pile height
*  turning to the left raises pile height.
Sheet should be approximately 1/4'' below suckers.
Air
This is regulated by a valve at the right hand side of the magazine. The angle of air is adjusted at the left hand side.
PRECAUTION - The feeder and delivery arms must be engaged when the rollers are half way onto the inking disc on their forward movement. Feeder arm must be locked when disengaged otherwise damage will occur.

* Kluge photo courtesy Gary Mordhorst

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