• Phone217.324.6529
  • Address1400 West Hudson Drive | Litchfield, Illinois | 62056
  • Phone217.324.6529
  • Address1400 West Hudson Drive | Litchfield, Illinois | 62056

Setting the Gartech Glue System Nip Adjustment

Today we’ll feature information on setting the Gartech Glue System Nip Adjustment. This is a small item on the Gartech Glue System’s mechanical Glue Unit. The Glue Unit is the physical mechanical equipment that includes the housing, Gartech Glue Wheels, Gartech Glue Shoes, pulleys, motor, etc.

It’s displayed in the image below, on the far left. You can also see a full layout of the complete Gartech Glue System.

Click the downloadable link at the end of this blog.
The Nip Adjustment is shown in red in this illustration.

What is the Nip Adjustment?

The Nip Adjustment is more commonly called the Lower Stop (Part no. GAR-GU-2026) on the Gartech Glue System. It’s a solid piece of aluminum stock, machined into a stepped block, and fitted with a vertically-adjustable hex bolt and nut. The Lower Stop mounts beneath the Lower Arm Assembly (discussed in this entry). You’ll find this item located on the side opposite board direction.

Because the Lower Arm strikes the hex bolt when it reaches position, it can wear both surfaces.
The Lower Stop in position on the Gartech Glue System. Because the Lower Arm strikes the hex bolt when it reaches position, it can wear both surfaces.

The Purpose of the Nip Adjustment?

The primary purpose of the Nip Adjustment is to set the gap between the upper and lower Gartech Glue Wheels, as decided by the flute thickness of board in your next order. Because some plants vary in this information, we won’t list particular sizes. It’s also why something as simple as a hex bolt is used to create a mechanical stop.

GAR-GU-2026 Lower Stop assembly
Note: Make sure the head of the hex bolt is smooth, to avoid imprinting the Lower Arm, as this will lead to misadjustment.

Use of the Nip Adjustment

The nip adjustment should be set to apply a minimum level of crush on the glue tab. Too much pressure between the wheels will result in a smeared glue pattern on the tab. A properly set nip adjustment will allow the Gartech Glue Wheel to transfer a clean pattern identical to the reservoir lines on the wheel. Of course, this goes hand-in-hand with properly setting the Gartech Glue Shoe to the Gartech Glue Wheel. (Click to find out how.)


As with any equipment, operators and maintenance professionals should follow their plant’s implemented safety procedures when making any sort of adjustment, and not enter a machine that is under power without authorized permission from a superior. Always use caution and proper tools.

On models that do not feature the air dump safety feature, we recommend releasing the air supply of the Bimba-brand air cylinder (mounted on the lower arm) before attempting to set this adjustment.


Setting Less Gap

For less gap between the Gartech Glue Wheels, due to a thinner board, the hex bolt on the Lower Stop should be lowered so the head of the bolt is closer to the mount. The hex nut should be tightened against the underside of the mount once the bolt height is determined.

In Detail A-A of the layout at the top of this entry, the bolt head is colored in red to illustrate this adjustment.

Setting More Gap

For more gap between the Gartech Glue Wheels, due to a wider or multiple-wall board, the hex bolt on the Lower Stop should be raised so the head of the bolt is away from the mount. The hex nut should be tightened against the underside of the mount once the bolt height is determined.

In Detail A-B of the layout at the top of this entry, the bolt head is colored in red to illustrate this adjustment.


Questions?

Contact us through the form in the sidebar of this page, or on any of the other pages on our site.

You can download a layout of setting the Gartech Glue Unit Nip Adjustment also, or print this entry by clicking Share button below.

Thank you!