Otec ECO mini dry User manual

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OTEC Präzisionsfinish
Einer der weltweit führenden Entwickler
und Hersteller von innovativen Schleif- und
Poliermaschinen für die Schmuckindustrie.
Diese Spitzenposition verdankt das Unter-
nehmen seinen technologisch hochent-
wickelten Produkten und einem exzellenten
Angebot an Serviceleistungen.
One of world-wide leaders in manufacturing
and developing of innovative grinding and
polishing machines for the jewellery industry.
The company owes its top position to its
technologically advanced products as well
as extensive and excellent services.

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Operating Instructions
Introduction
Foreword 18
Safety Information 19
Set up of the machine 19
Technical Data 19
Use and Function of the Machine
Disc finishing process 20
Capacities and work piece sizes 20
Work pieces 21
Finishing Process
Dry grinding 22
Dry polishing 22
Steps for the finishing process 23
Finishing examples 24 – 25
Use of granulates and pastes 26 – 27
Recommended Grinding and Polishing Materials 28
Finishing Problems and Remedies 28 – 29
Mechanical Malfunctions and Remedies 29
Guarantee 30
Quick Help 30

1818
Introduction
Foreword
We would like to take this opportunity to
thank you for deciding to purchase our
ECO-mini.
OTEC conducts trial runs with the machine to
check its functions. As a result of these trial
runs, you may find that traces of the finishing
material that was used (walnut granulate and
polishing paste) remain in the machine.
To ensure that you operate the machine
properly and achieve good finishing results
on your work pieces with the machine, please
read the Operating Instructions carefully.
OTEC Präzisionsfinish GmbH does not
assume any liability for damages to the
machine or to work pieces if these are
attributed to non-observance of the following
Operating Instructions.

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Introduction
Tank Width/ Height Weight Power Voltage Fre-
capacity Depth input quency
[l] [mm/inch] [mm/inch] [kg/lb] [W] [V] [Hz]
ECO-mini “dry” 3 220 / 9 340 / 13 3.7/8 50 230* 50/60*
Safety Information
●The Owner must make the Operating Instructions accessible to the
machine operator and must take the necessary time to ensure that he/she
has read the instructions and understands them fully.
●The machine may only be operated with an earth leakage circuit breaker.
(ELCB, FI)
●Please check to see if the machine is suitable for your voltage supply.
The manufacturer will not accept any liability for damages caused by
an incorrect voltage supply.
●Use only the media recommended by OTEC. Acids and abrasive materials
can damage the machine and endanger your safety.
●Always disconnect the electrical lead if the machine is not used or serviced.
Set up of the machine
The ECO-mini “dry” is a bench type machine and must stand on a flat sur-
face to avoid machine damages and incorrect work piece finishing. The air
supply to the ventilation flap on the lower side of the machine must always
be guaranteed. Insert the electrical plug into a socket. Ensure the voltage
supply is correct. The machine is now ready for use.
Technical Data
* Further versions on request

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Use and Function of the Machine
Disc finishing process
The ECO-mini disc finishing machine is used for dry surface finishing of
jewlery. As with hand polishing, some material is removed from the surface.
The top of the process container is open and the disc at the bottom is
designed to rotate. The container wall itself does not rotate. If grinding or
polishing media is put into the container and the disc starts to rotate, then
this produces a toroid movement inside the container, which enables the
finishing of suitable work pieces.
Capacities and work piece sizes
Maximum granulate capacity [l] 1.5
Maximum weight per work piece
(where several pieces are involved) [g] 8
Maximum weight of all
work pieces in the machine [g] 100
Work piece size [mm] > 1
Caution: The size of the selected granulate must always be smaller than the
thickness of the work piece.
Example: Workpiece thickness = 1.2 mm,
Granulate HN1/500, not HN1/100

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Use and Function of the Machine
Work pieces
The ECO-mini “dry” is especially suitable for the following work pieces:
●Rings, even with zircons, precious stones, amber, plastics or pearls
●Necklaces larger than 4 mm (thinner necklaces can be tangled up)
●Earrings ●Brooches ●Pendants
Please note:
●Never process more than 100 g of goods at one time. Although you can
process maximum quantities of work pieces with a round shape, e.g. rings,
you may find that work pieces with large, flat areas or edges can get
“dinged”.
●Always close all necklaces before processing, as otherwise these can get
tangled up very easily.
●Never process any work pieces together whose individual weight exceeds
8 grams. Larger pieces such as bracelets should be processed individually.
●Gold and silver alloys can also be processed together. Gold-plated goods
should never be polished for longer than 30 minutes in HN1/500.
●Labels do not need to be removed for the polishing process, but there is
the danger that these can wear off and/or the area to which the label is
fastened may not be polished properly.
The following work pieces are unsuitable for the ECO-mini “dry”:
●Colliers
●Chains, thinner than 4 mm
●Hollow chains (can get squashed)
●Work pieces smaller (thinner) than 1 mm should not be processed in the
ECO-mini “dry”. They can get jammed under the plate.
●Jewlery with loose stones, clasps, broken links, etc.

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Both dry grinding and dry polishing can be done in the ECO-mini.
Walnut-shell granule of various grain sizes, impregnated with polishing paste
or grinding paste, is generally used for processing.
The coarser the granulate, the better its smoothing property.
The finer the granulate, the better the shine.
Dry grinding
Work pieces with a strongly scratched surface or that has been pre-processed
too roughly can be processed instead of wet grinding.
Dry polishing
Customer jewlery that has lost its shine or tarnished store window exhibits
can be dry polished.
Finishing Process

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Finishing Process
Observe the following under all circumstances:
We recommend examining the work pieces for their suitability of being
processed in the ECO-mini. The manufacturer does not guarantee work
pieces with weak areas, which have a high probability of breakage. Well-set
stones do not normally fall out when finishing with the ECO-mini “dry”.
The manufacturer does not assume any liability if this should however occur.
Steps for the finishing process
1. Fill the granulate into the process-container (max. 1.5 litres).
2. Set finishing time.
Turning the timer in a clockwise direc-
tion sets the finishing time and also
starts the machine. Maximum time:
15 hours (at 115 V: 12 hours). The
machine switches off automatically
after the time set has expired. The
machine switches off immediately
when the timer is manually turned
back to “0”.
3. Add work pieces.
4. If possible, the goods should be cleaned
after processing in ultrasonic bath to
remove any polishing paste residues.
Tip: Always start finishing using only a few work pieces. This allows
you to gain experience in the handling of larger quantities. Do not
overload the machine with too many pieces as this may result in
pieces damaging each other in the machine.
The process timer with the scale
(shows the time in hours) serves at
the same time as START/STOP switch

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Finishing examples for dry polishing
●Finishing of emerypaper-treated jewelry
If you want to avoid wet or dry grinding you should treat jewelry or
chains with sandpaper (minimum 600 grain size sandpaper) first.
Fill 1.5 litre of HN1/100 (coarse walnut-shell granule) into the process-
container. Set the finishing time by turning the timer in a clockwise
direction. The machine starts automatically. Finishing can take up to
15 hours depending on the surface.
Now use the fine walnut-shell granule (HN1/500) for approximately
30 minutes.
If want to decrease your process times, we recommend to wet grind
the jewellery before in an ECO-wet.
●Finishing jewlery with fine scratches
Fill 1.5 litres of HN1/100 (coarse walnut-shell granule) into the process-
container. Set the finishing time by turning the timer in a clockwise
direction. The machine starts automatically. Finishing time: 1-3 hours.
Now use the fine walnut-shell granule (HN1/500) for approximately
30 minutes.
●Finishing dull jewlery
Fill 1.5 litres HN1/500 (fine walnut-shell granule) into the process-
container. Set the finishing time by turning the timer in a clockwise
direction. The machine starts automatically.
Finishing time: approx. 30 minutes. The machine switches itself off
automatically after the time set has expired.
Finishing Process

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Finishing examples for dry grinding
●Roughly pre-finished work pieces or strongly scratched surfaces
Fill 1.5 litres H2/100 (coarse walnut-shell granule impregnated with
grinding paste) into the process-container. Set the finishing time by
turning the timer in a clockwise direction. The machine starts
automatically.
Finishing time: 2 – 4 hours, depending on the condition of the surface.
Now use the fine walnut-shell granule (HN1/500) for approx. 1 – 3 hours.
Please note: When dry grinding in the ECO-mini, you should have a
second container, as constantly changing between grinding
and polishing material causes the container to become
dirty, as a result of which the required effect can no longer
be achieved.
Finishing Process

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Finishing
Use of Granulates
HN1/100 (coarse walnut-shell granule)
- for finishing jewelry which have been treated with emerypaper
- for finishing scratched jewelry
Lasts for up to 100 operating hours.
HN1/400 (medium walnut-shell granule)
- for filigree jewlery, necklaces or bracelets where HN1/100
(coarse walnut-shell granule) could get caught because of its size.
Lasts for up to 100 operating hours.
HN1/500 (fine walnut-shell granule)
- for high gloss polishing (after pre-polishing with HN1/100) and for
tarnished jewelry.
Lasts up to 50 operating hours.
H2/100 (walnut-shell granule impregnated with grinding paste)
- is used for dry grinding
Lasts for up to 100 operating hours.
Please note: To achieve ideal constant polishing results, we recommend
replacing the granulate following the operating hours shown above.

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Finishing Process
Dosing of polishing and grinding pastes
New walnut-shell granule from OTEC is already impregnated with
polishing or grinding paste. No additional paste has to be added during
the first 10 operating hours.
During dry polishing
After 4 – 6 operating hours add 2 – 3 cm polishing paste P 6 from the tube
into the cold granule, by allowing the machine to run for a few minutes
without any work pieces. By adding HL 06, you can refresh granule if it got
too dry already.
During dry grinding
Add a 1/2 teaspoon of grinding paste into the cold granulate before every
processing and leave the machine running without any work pieces for a
few minutes.
The residue from the grinding and polishing paste, which can collect
under the disc, should be removed at least once a month (see mechanical
malfunctions and remedies).
Tip: If the walnut-shell granule stands open for a longer period its polishing
effects reduced. The granulate can be refreshed by adding some polishing
paste.

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Recommended
Grinding and Polishing Materials
Dry polishing
– OTEC walnut-shell granule HN1/100 (coarse) … HN1/500 (fine)
– OTEC polishing paste P 6
Dry grinding
– OTEC walnut-shell granule H2/100
– OTEC grinding paste SP26
While using dry grinding granulates a higher wear
of the machine is to be expected.
Caution: Keep grinding and polishing materials away from children!
Finishing Problems and Remedies
Problem: After dry polishing, especially with flat work pieces, the surface
looks like “orange skin”.
Cause: The grinding chips during the wet grinding process may have been
too rough (too abrasive).
Remedy: Re-grind in the ECO-mini “wet” with KX 10 (white cones) or try it
with dry polishing after the wet grinding in the ECO-mini “dry”.
Problem: The work piece surface has a lot of little “pimples” after polishing.
Cause: The compound/water mixture during wet grinding was either too
dirty or the casting quality is not good enough.
Remedy: Optimise your wet grinding process before dry finishing.

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Finishing Problems and Remedies
Problem: The granulate is very wet.
Cause: The polishing paste dose was too high.
Remedy: Take the granulate out of the machine and let it dry in the air for a
few days. Use fresh granulate in the meantime.
Problem: The granulate is very dry – it is dusty.
Cause: The polishing paste dose was too low.
Remedy: Add 2 – 3 cm polishing paste P 6 from the tube into the cold granule.
Mechanical Malfunctions
and Remedies
Problem: The machine is making “squeaking” noises.
Cause: Work pieces can have worked their way underneath the disc.
Remedy: Remove the disc. Loosen the screw in the centre with a size 3 Allan
key. Remove the pieces underneath the disc, put 2 teaspoon fine
granule under the disc, and refasten disc on reverse sequence.
Problem: The disc blocks.
Cause: The disc is either strongly worn along the outside edge or work
pieces have worked their way underneath the disc.
Remedy: Examine the disc for intense wear and replace it, if necessary.
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Guarantee
The guarantee period lasts for 6 months after purchase.
Presenting the purchase receipt (invoice) showing the date and machine
number is a condition for the guarantee.
No guarantee liability exists if the machine has been operated contrary to
this Operating Instructions, and especially if
●inappropriate work pieces have been used
●other granulate or pasts have been used in addition to or instead of the
products recommended by OTEC,
●the machine is not protected by an earth leakage circuit breaker (ELCB, FI)
There is no warranty for wear parts.
Quick Help
Please do not hesitate to ask your distributor if you have any questions on
operating the machine or on the processing technology.
You can find further information in the Internet at: www.eco-mini.com

OTEC Präzisionsfinish GmbH
Dieselstraße12
75334 Straubenhardt-
Feldrennach/Germany
Tel. [phone] / 4911- 0
Fax [phone] / 4911- 29
E-Mail: [email protected]
http://www.otec.de
Händler / Representative:
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Technische Änderungen vorbehalten. Für Druckfehler keine Haftung. Technical specifications are subject to change without notice. 11/04 ECO-mini „dry“ D/E/F/I/ES