Shuttle Frame Assembly
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Shuttle Frame Assembly
The central element of the printing mechanism is the shuttle frame assembly,
which houses the hammer bank assembly and the shuttle drive motor.
(Figure 50.)
Figure 50. Shuttle Frame Assembly
Hammer Bank Assembly
The hammer springs are grouped in comb-like assemblies mounted on a solid
hammer bank. The number of individual hammer springs on a hammer spring
assembly and the number of hammer spring assemblies on the hammer bank
vary by printer model:
• P5X05B printers have seven 4-hammer assemblies, for a total of 28
hammer springs.
• P5X10 and P5X03H printers have six 10-hammer assemblies, for a total
of 60 hammer springs.
• P5X15 and P5X06H printers have six 17-hammer assemblies, for a total
of 102 hammer springs.
Shuttle Drive Motor
The shuttle drive motor is built into the shuttle assembly casting and drives
two connecting rods on a crankshaft. The small end of one connecting rod
attaches to the hammer bank; the small end of the other connecting rod
attaches to a counterweight frame surrounding the hammer bank. (The
hammer bank and the counterweight constitute the shuttle assembly.) The
rotary motion of the shuttle drive motor converts to linear and opposing
motion of the hammer bank assembly and counterweight, in an arrangement
similar to that of a horizontally-opposed gasoline engine. Mechanically, this
design achieves the same benefits as this type of engine: perfect primary
balance, low vibration, and durability.
Each hammer spring is a stiff leaf spring with a cylindrical tungsten carbide tip
on the free end. (Figure 51.) A permanent magnet is imbedded along the
Shuttle Frame
Assembly
Hammer Bank Assembly
Counterweight Assembly
Connecting Rod
Guide Shaft
Shuttle Drive
Motor
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