Complete Service Guides for your Better Packages® 333 and Phoenix® M1 Tape Machines

Tape Jams

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There are several things to check if tape is frequently jamming.

Jamming is generally due to one of the following reasons: IN ORDER

1. Glue Build Up or Worn Moistening Brushes

2. Lower Tape Plate Out Of Adjustment

3. Incorrect or Missing Moistening Brushes

4. Incorrect Upper Shear Adjustment

5. Missing or Bent Upper Tape Plate/Tape Guides Not Being Used

1. Glue Build Up or Worn Moistening Brushes

   The Moistening Brushes act to not only moisten the tape, 

    they create a gap between the Pressure Plate Assembly -300PlateXX

    (Ref FM16) and the Lower Tape Plate -700LTPSS (Ref FM11X). If the 

    brushes have a glue build up they tend to flatten down, reducing

    the gap. The tape they gets stuck just before the moistening 

    brushes under the Pressure Plate. First, inspect the brushes, 

    If they are worn down to the level of the Lower Tape Plate 

    (the plate comes out and stops just before the moistening              

   brushes) replace the brushes. Order Part # M100MB3X (Ref PW107AK).

    If they have a heavy glue build up, wash them out with warm,

    soapy water and see if the jamming problem goes away.

2. Adjust Lower Tape Plate

   Just behind the moistening brushes, you'll see the leading edge of 

    the Lower Tape Plate.  Right where the Lower Tape Plate and Pressure 

    Plate meet, there is a rod with 2 brass rollers on it -700THBR (Ref FM18). There 

    must be a sufficient gap between the Pressure Plate & Lower Tape Plate. 

    You can easily open the gap with a regular screw driver. Place the edge 

    of the screw driver under the Pressure Plate and over the Lower Tape Plate 

    right near each brass roller. Gently "twist" the screw driver. This should 

    open some space between these 2 parts, allowing the tape clearance.

3. Missing Or Incorrect Moistening Brushes

   Surprisingly, we find many tape machines missing one moistening brush 

    or find that over the years someone has replaced the original brushes 

    with something else. This can easily create tape jams. 

Correct Brush Measurements: 3-1/2" long x 2-1/2" high x 1/4" deep

Black Nylon Bristle 2 Brushes Per Machine

4. Incorrect Upper Shear Adjustment

   Tape jams can occur if  the Upper Shear has been incorrectly adjusted. 

    The travel height of the shear is adjusted when the lower feed wheel is adjusted. 

    If you adjust the lower feed wheel, check to make sure the Upper Shear goes 

    up high enough to allow the tape to travel underneath.

   See TAPE CUTTING SECTION D for correct procedure if you have made 

    any adjustments  to the Lower Feed Wheel

5. Bent or Missing Upper Tape Plate

   Check the Upper Tape Plate -700UTP ( Ref FM12EL). It is located on the Lower 

    Tape Plate around the Upper Feed Wheel - 500MUFX (Ref PW77X). The Upper Tape 

    Plate should slide in & out easily. If it is bent and cannot slide easily, 

    it will bind the tape and cause jams. If it is bent, order a new 

    one. Also check to make sure that the operator is using the Tape 

    Guides (Ref FM25B). Located in the Tape Basket area, these guides 

    must be correctly set to the width of the tape you're using. If the guides 

    are not being used, the tape will "skew" as it is dispensed, causing tape jams.

If you can't find the answers here, then please feel free to call us at 1-800-899-9389. 

For more information on these models, please call us at 1-899-899-9389.

TIGERSEAL® PRODUCTS sales & service

13093 Old Ridge Road

Beaverdam VA 23015

Tigerseal Products is not affiliated with MCM/Phoenix

Tigerseal Products is not affiliated with Better Packages Inc

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