TMS STRING PINSPOTTER OWNER’S MANUAL
400-051-010-01 Rev. Date: 7/17 Page 1-21
Strings
The strings are the concept of the machine. Each pin has fourteen feet of string attached to
it. A four-foot length of this string is wound on each take-up reel arm assembly to be
used as spare string. In other words, each pin needs ten feet of string to operate normally.
Properly adjusted, a string should only wear immediately above the pin. When it wears, it can
be pulled through the pin, the worn-out section (approximately six inches) cut off, the string
refastened, and an equal amount of string unspooled from the take-up reel. With an extra four
feet of string on the take-up reel, each string may be repaired up to eight times before having
to be replaced with a new fourteen-foot length.
Each take-up reel is mounted to a spring-loaded bar that helps limit the tension that can be
applied to the strings when the pins are raised to the up position and make contact with the
underside of the table. This keeps the strings from being overstretched or pulled out of the
pins from excessive force.
Note The TMS pinspotter's operation is directly related to the proper length of the strings,
which are adjustable. Any variation in the length of the strings caused by humidity,
stretching, or incorrect adjustment is sufficient to adversely affect system operation.
Pin Stabilizers
Below the pinspotter housing are two tables. The upper table supports the pinspotter and
contains the pulleys that guide the strings into the machine. The lower table acts as a pin
stabilizer. When the pins are raised after being knocked over and scattered, they can be
swinging and spinning. The plastic stabilizer rings mounted to the underside of the lower
table quiet pin movement and stabilize the pins rapidly so that they can be reset as quickly
as possible. The stabilizers also center the pins over their designated positions on the pin
deck to ensure consistent pin setting. The plastic rings also prevent wear to the table.
Pin Detectors and Pin Detector Circuit Board Assembly
Mounted at the front of the pinspotter are the pin detectors (one for each pin) and the pin
detector circuit board assembly. The pin detectors sense movement of the strings that are
attached to the pins. A detector consists of an optical sensor, a pulley, and a wheel which
rotates when its corresponding string moves. Each wheel has four holes in it, and rotates
through an optical sensor. As the wheel turns, the optical sensor detects whenever one of
the holes passes through it and sends this signal to the pin detector circuit board. This
information is relayed to the pinspotter control chassis which compares the number of holes
seen by the sensor against the sensitivity setting (pin detector count) to determine if the pin
has been knocked over.
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