ERTOEL WHEELS

The Use, Care

and Maintenance of your

ERTOEL “ROBERTA” ELECTRONIC SPINNER

 

 

INTRODUCTION

            Firstly, it should be noted that the Roberta electronic spinner operates differently from many other spinners.  Habits acquired on other wheels, may not work the same.  This is due to the Irish Brake System i.e. the flyer is free turning, with the bobbin being driven.  Most other systems have a driven flyer.  Increasing the speed on the motor speed control does not increase draw-in, as would occur in most other spinners. The draw- in rate (i.e. speed of spinning), is created on the flyer tension device. The motor speed knob only increases the twist rate, not the pull in rate while drafting.  When the machine is new, there may be sufficient resistance in the flyer bearings (i.e. supports), to create the necessary draw-in, without using any tension brake at all.  If you do not seem to get the right spinning results, after following all the instructions below, it may be possible that the spinner needs “breaking in” or “running in”.  See this information on the last page.

 

 

LUBRICATION

 

BOBBINS

Note: - Lubrication is not just about reducing wear.  It is important to use the right type of oil.          Preferably use Ertoel bobbin oil. The bronze bushes in the ends of the bobbins are actually porous, and will absorb oil as they settle in. Do not use sewing machine oil or any other light oil type, otherwise the bobbins can make quite loud knocking sounds, as they rotate. Use only new car engine oil, or Ertoel bobbin oil.  New bobbins should be lubricated often. Lubrication is very important while the bronze bearings are settling in.  Use a few of drops of oil on the shaft, every 30 minutes of spinning, for at least the first 8 hours of use for each new bobbin. Smooth the oil on, using a finger along the flyer shaft. Thereafter, oil with each bobbin change.  Important: - Do not pump oil into the ends of the bobbins. Also do not put any oil behind the motor pulley. The motor is sealed for life, with a special lubrication. If ordinary oil put there, it will make the motor noisy, and possibly ruin the electrics in the motor.

 

FLYER BEARINGS (or supports)

            The flyer bearings are made from special polymer material and require only a little lubrication, occasionally. White petroleum jelly or Ertoel white grease should only be used. (not oil)  If maximum tension is wanted, wipe this lubrication off.  For minimum tension (i.e. less fibre pull–in) lubricate well, and unhook the nylon cord and spring right off, and let it hang loose. These flyer supports are very sensitive to the general performance of the whole machine, and also to the pull in rate i.e. the speed of spinning, or the drafting rate.

 

CONTROLS

 

MOTOR SPEED KNOB

            For the first try, set at about 9 o’clock or 10 o’clock position. (Better faster than slower.)  When you hold back against the pull of the spinner, the flyer will automatically try to keep up to the speed of the bobbin and less will gather on the bobbin, you  plenty of time to make any further adjustments in your hands.  Bobbin speed adjustments, using the motor speed knob, will only alter the rate of twist.  Using the flyer tension device to create faster or slower spinning: See the underlined in the paragraph below.

 

TENSION PEG

            Lift the nylon cord and spring over the top of the orifice piece (place in the groove) and attach the spring, to the hook behind the front mount. When the nylon cord is wound up on the end of the tension peg this will alter the speed of the flyer. Push in to lock, pull out to turn. This tension device is very sensitive. Make adjustments only a fraction of a turn each time.  Once set, (to suit the pull-in wanted), it can remain like this, for days of use, without any further adjustments.  Some minor alterations may be necessary, when using jumbo bobbins, on a tightly twisted yarn.

The slower the free turning flyer runs, the greater the pull in.

The faster the flyer runs, less pull in will occur for your drafting of the fibre.

The motor speed knob has nothing to do with this effect.

            For the first try, always use no tension on the spring.  Increase the tension in small amounts to increase the pull in.  Always adjust the tension first, to create the right pull-in, before re-adjusting the motor speed knob for the twist.

 

ON/OFF SWITCH

            It will stop the spinner instantly, provided you keep holding back on the yarn.  Use one hand to operate the switch, while keeping the other hand in position. Usually the “pinch” fingers are kept on the yarn, while the rear hand is used to operate the switch.

If you like to keep your 2 hands in place at all times, ask about our plug in on/off pause control.  This can also be fitted to older spinners, quite easily by a handyman, or be done at our factory.

 

FORWARD AND REVERSING SWITCH

            Use the forward position, for spinning single ply. This is a clockwise twist.  Use the reverse, for plying 2 or more single yarns, in an anti-clockwise twist.  Remember any over twist in the single yarn will disappear during the plying. For quality plying it will be found necessary to run the spinner with a little more tension on the flyer, than used to make the yarn.

 

LAZY KATE BAR

            Turn down for a storage position, turn up, to use for plying with 2 filled bobbins.

Only standard bobbins can be stored on the Lazy Kate, in the down position.

Do not turn the bar down, when jumbo bobbins are in place. It can do damage.

 

 

TO OPERATE THE ROBERTA SPINNER

 

            Fit the flyer into the supports. Use the left hand and grip around the orifice end of the flyer, while the flyer is in place. Then tilt up the flyer on its free end, above the motor. With the right hand, slide on a bobbin. The grooved end of the bobbin should be above the motor pulley for the drive band to fit to the motor.  Slip on the drive band over the end of the bobbin first, before lowering into position then stretch the drive band down over the motor pulley, using a hand on either side. Lift the tension spring and nylon cord over the orifice end of the flyer, place it in the groove, and attach the spring to the hook behind the front mount.  Withdraw the tension peg slightly, and turn to gather up the nylon cord on the end of the peg.  Take up the slack on the nylon line, but have no tension on the spring, before starting, just for this first time.

 

IMPORTANT!  When starting for the first time, follow the procedure below:

            Turn the motor speed knob to the 9 o’clock or 10 o’clock position.  Remember this does not determine the pull in rate, or the speed of spinning, and is only relevant to twist rate.

Start with the nylon cord and the tension spring in place, but have everything loose.

Attach a leader yarn (about 80cm long) to the centre of the bobbin.  Tie on tightly.  Attach sticky tape around the tied knot.  It is important that this does not slip on the bobbin centre; otherwise no draw-in will occur.  Thread the leader yarn around the hook on the flyer arm and draw through the orifice hole and out the end, with the threading hook.  Turn the direction switch (on the right hand side) downward, for ordinary single ply.  Prepare your fibre to attach to the leader yarn. 

Switch on the spinner, holding back against the pull, allowing the twist to pass into the fibre and leader yarn together, in front of your hands.  Then continue in your drafting for normal spinning.  Observe the draw-in.  If too much, the flyer bearings may require lubrication, or settling in. If too little, adjust the tension cord on a bit.  Watch the spring pull up lightly.  Continue the adjustment until the right pull in for drafting is achieved.  Then adjust the motor speed knob again, faster or slower for twist rate.

 

TO REMOVE and REPLACE BOBBINS

            Correct method is as follows: Slip off the drive band from motor pulley, using one finger. Grasp the flyer at the orifice end, with the left hand, while holding it in place on the machine. Then tip back the whole assembly, bending the flyer support backwards, so the bobbin end is raised above the motor end, sufficient to slide the bobbin off.  Putting on another bobbin is done in the same manner, hanging the drive band on the bobbin groove first.  Then stretch on the drive band down and around the motor pulley again. Use the fingers from two hands being held on either side of the drive band, and pull it down.  Grasping the flyer in place, as described above, is important to prevent it dropping down on the deck and making a dent in the surface. The flyer bearing will not be harmed, or wear it out, by bending it back and forth.

 

 JUMBO FLYER-SLIDING HOOK

            Use of the rubber O ring.  Roll it forward with the thumb and forefinger, moving the hook with it.  One roll gives sufficient movement each time, to start spinning again, so that the bobbin loads evenly across. The O ring can be used both ways, up and down the flyer arm. If rolling the O ring towards you, the loose hook will draw back to the new O ring position when you start the spinning again. Do not add oil to the sliding hook slot.  It must be kept dry.  If the end cap is to be removed for any reason, re-glue back on with a little 5 minute Araldite (2 part epoxy) glue.  Use this glue sparingly, to ensure no glue runs inside the tube, to interfere with the movement of the sliding hook.

 

 

TIPS

 

  1. Hold back in drafting.  Always hold-back against the pull of the machine when drafting.  Never go with the pull, but keep the distance the same between your hands and the orifice end of the flyer
  2. If no spinning occurs. Check that the bobbin is free turning on the shaft of the flyer.  If the flyer and the bobbin turn at the same speed, no draw-in will occur.  Try a very light tension on the flyer, or try another new bobbin.  Bobbins are reamed to very close tolerances, and although they appear to be free, they may need some settling in. (see running-in procedures).
  3. Slow spinning.  Do not attempt to run the motor too slow, while holding back heavily, otherwise the motor will labour, and cause excessive heat in the electronics. (Stalling the motor for short moments does not cause a problem for the motor). Some heat in the electronics is normal.
    Slow spinning can be achieved on about 9 o’clock position or even at the 10 o’clock position making sure the flyer is turning freely, with no tension applied.
  4. Extending life of the drive band. When machine is not in use, lift drive band off the motor pulley and leave hanging loose.  Keep it dry and free of oil. Wipe with a clean cloth occasionally.
  5. For exceptionally strong tension .To increase tension above the normal operation, wrap the nylon cord right around the groove (not just over the top).  This will give a much stronger pull in, and a very tight twisted yarn.  Maybe useful in some plying situations.  Wipe off any lubrication present on flyer bearings to achieve maximum slowness of the flyer.
  6. No need for small variances with the speed knob.  If your drafting is irregular, due to difficult conditions of fibre, the free turning flyer will self regulate the problem. 
  7. Some people request an insert to make the orifice hole smaller for the purpose of creating a fine yarn. This is not necessary on the Roberta, as the easy angles out of the large hole are quite satisfactory for the finest diameter yarn. Even thin yarn the diameter of commercial grade spun cotton, is possible through this large hole.

 

RUNNING-IN PROCEDURES

 

FLYER BEARINGS

            Although the whole surfaces look quite smooth, the bearing material needs to “marry up” with the steel of the flyer, thus producing the condition for the lightest draw-in. With this being achieved, you are able to create a draw-in from a very light level, to as hard as you wish, by using the tension brake. To settle in the flyer bearings: - Loop a large rubber band around the bobbin centre (end through end). Then draw the one free end of the rubber band over to the hook on the flyer arm. This ties the two items together so when the spinner is turned on, everything revolves similar to spinning. Apply the tension brake on the flyer to a moderate rate. Turn the motor speed knob to about the 12 o’clock position and leave running for up to quarter an hour. Then rest the machine for a few minutes. Then do this again, for another quarter of an hour, should this be necessary. The flyer bearings should be kept dry and not lubricated during this run-in.

 

BOBBINS

            It is most important the bobbins run very freely. If a bobbin is a little firm in rotating, or is making tick-tick sounds (or even knock-knock sounds), and you are sure you are using the right oil, adopt the following procedure. Using the correct type of oil, wipe some oil on the flyer shaft and spread using a fingertip. Fit on the bobbin and run it at top speed. While it running fast, use a soft cloth, pushing down very hard on the bobbin centre, to slow the motor to about a quarter of its speed ,(this will not hurt the motor) Rock the bobbin back and forth on the shaft a bit, as well. Do this for at least 2 full minutes. The idea of this hard pressure down on the bobbin is to realign each bush in the end of the bobbin, to a perfect unison, so the 2 bushes run quietly and freely with each other.  It may be necessary to do this 3-4 times, and it sometimes helps, if the procedure is repeated the following day. Lubricate frequently, until the bronze bushes are well run-in (about 8 hours of use). Do not pump oil into the bobbin ends. It will destroy the glued on ends of the bobbin.

 

 

 

 

GUARANTEE

*********************************

Ertoel Wheels guarantees the machine for 12 months against faulty materials or workmanship. This is subject to it being returned to the factory without any tampering.  The motor is guaranteed for 10 years, with proof of a purchase date. These warranties only apply to the original purchaser, and are not transferable.

 

It is important to send in the Guarantee Form after purchase to:

 

Ian Spark -- Ertoel Wheels

67 Raheen Ave.,

Wantirna, Victoria

Australia   3152

Fax and Phone: 61 3 9887 4107   

Website address: www.ertoel.com ; Email address: ertoel_info@connexus.net.au