Specac APEX QUICK RELEASE DIE User manual

APEX™ QUICK RELEASE DIE
QS-26300-6 1
Preparing the Press for Use of the Apex™
The benefits of the Apex™ Quick Release Die are fully realized when calibrated for use with your
samples. Please take time to read carefully through this Quick Start Guide and follow the
procedures described. Always consult the User Instruction Manual (UIM) for full details of
operation and follow any additional instructions that we may issue from time to time. Please
take note of the disclaimer and warnings set out in this Quick Start Guide and the Specac Limited
Conditions of Sale.
The Apex™ Quick Release Die is to be used in conjunction with a Specac press with an Apex™
pressing anvil and locator plate. Proper fitment of the anvil and locator items to your press is
essential for safe and reliable operation of the die.
1) Fitting the Top Pressing Anvil to a Press Leadscrew
Remove the standard top bolster anvil fitted to the leadscrew of the Press and replace with the
new pressing anvil for the APEX Die. Both anvil types are held into the hollow recess at the tip of
the leadscrew by the fit of the O-ring on the anvils. The standard anvil is carefully pulled out of the
leadscrew and the APEX Die anvil is pushed back into place as far as it will go for the O-ring to hold.
Note: when correctly fitted, the anvil will be flat and level, and the sealing O-ring will not be visible,
as shown in figure 1.
2) Fitting of the Base Locator Plate into the Press
The base locator plate is placed onto the Press lower pressing piston. The recess on the underside
of the base locator provides correct and centralized positioning. The locator plate has two dowel
location pins or a raised edge which is used to centralize the APEX Die when it is placed into the
Press. The APEX Die is positioned such the outer sleeve of the APEX Die touches both dowel pins or
the raised edge. It must not be placed on top of the dowels.
Figure 1 Correct fitment of the Anvil: flat
and level without a visible O-ring
Figure 2 Improper fitment of the Anvil, with
a visible tilt.
Figure 3 Base locator plate correctly installed
with locating pins facing upwards
Figure 4 Base locator plate incorrectly installed with
recessed surface facing upwards

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With the top pressing anvil and base locator plate fitted to the Press, the APEX Die is ready to use.
Tips for First Time Use
1) Latch set-up
Gently push the die body down to its first latch position.
The top of the body should then be level with the tabs
(see Figure 5).
Caution: do not allow thetabs to protrude above the
level of the die body.
2) Sample guidelines
The optimum pressing regime depends strongly on the
properties of the sample, in particular:
•Density
•Compressibility
•Strength of binding
The effects of these properties may be mitigated with additives or use of aluminium support cups.
Trials are required to determine the optimum sample mass. Begin with the recommended
amounts, adjusting the sample quantity between runs to achieve the desired pellet thickness.
Example pressing of Portland Cement in aluminium support cups:
Push the support cup into the die body so that it rests on the bottom of the cavity and then fill with:
•9-12 g of sample for 32 mm dies
•12-15 g of sample for 40 mm dies
Example free pressing of Portland Cement:
Fill the die directly with the following trial amounts of sample:
•5-6 g of sample for 32 mm dies
•6-8 g of sample for 40 mm dies
N.B—In both cases, the cement powder is pre-mixed and homogenised with a starch-
based binding additive in a cement-binder ratio of 4:1. The masses given above are of the
homogenised mixture.
Whatever the fill weight of sample used, the following maximum final pellet thicknesses must be
observed:
The maximum final pellet thickness is:
7.5 mm if using the polished plate;
9.5 mm without the polished plate.
Pelletising Accessories
Part
32 mm Al support cups
CX0505E
40 mm Al support cups
CX0545E
Binding additive (¼ g tablets)
CX0625E
Level
Figure 5 Die set at the first latch position

APEX™ QUICK RELEASE DIE
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A polished capping plate is provided which imparts a highly smooth surface to the pellet. Its use is
optional, but its thickness must be factored into the overall maximum pellet thickness.
Caution: overfilling the die may prevent the hinged tabs from fully engaging upon release of
the load. Sample extraction with the die in this state will lead to damage of the hinged parts.
3) Setting the lead screw
The leadscrew should be lowered until the flat anvil is almost
touching the top of the die in its first latch position (Figure 6).
It will not be necessary to adjust the position of the lead
screw between sample runs.
4) Observing the trial run
Set the press to apply a load. After a pauseat full load, release
the pressure and allow the piston to return fully to its retracted position. Consult the relevant UIM
for operation of your press.
During the load and release cycle, please pay attention to the following indicators:
Note: if the die has been set-up as described, at least 13mm of piston travel is required during
compression to ensure proper engagement of the hinged tabs upon release of the load.
If you believe the press piston has reached the limit of its travel without reaching full load Figure
7, it is likely that the pellet will have failed to form: First check the leadscrew was lowered as per
Figure 6 and that the die is in its first latch position (Figure 5).
5) Releasing the pellet
If the full load is reached and the tabs have rotated fully into position Figure 8, proceed to apply a
small load (max. 4 tonnes) to the hinged tab parts in order to push the pellet through and out of
the die body.
Figure 7 Piston Limit Reached
= too little sample or
leadscrew not lowered
Figure 8 Load Reached and
tabs engaged OK
Figure 9 Tabs fail to engage
= too much sample
Figure 6 Lead screw setting

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Warning: do not attempt extraction of the pellet if the tabs have failed to engage as per
Figure . If this is the case, repeat with a smaller sample mass, adjusting between runs until
the desired pellet thickness is reached.
Warning: Do not exceed the 4 tonnes load limit applied on the tabs during the pellet release
phase.
Warning: Do not open the guard mid-program as this may reset the program to the start
and restarting will overload and may damage the tabs.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Follow instructions in the instruction manual for cleaning the die.
Warning: Do not touch the 3 screws recessed in the bottom of the
Apex die. The Die will be damaged if these screws are adjusted.
Warning: Do not use a die with damaged or bent tab hinges. This
can lead to more serious damage to the die.
These terms apply to and form part of the terms of use and any contract between Specac Limited
and any purchaser of the Apex Quick Release Die and when issued shall supersede any other terms.
Specac Limited shall not be liable for any defects appearing in an Apex Quick Release Die sold or
supplied by Specac Limited to the extent that such defects arise as a result of the purchaser or any
user modifying or tampering with the goods or failing to operate the Apex Quick Release Die in
accordance with instructions issued by Specac Limited from time to time in relation to installation,
operation, storage or maintenance. All warranties other than those expressly given by Specac
Limited in its conditions of sale, or which are implied and may not be excluded by virtue of an
applicable statute or regulation shall be excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.