|
The NEW Generation 6 Swashdrive 2009
Pioneering the way forward:
As this Machine is the only swashplate type driven Tattoo machine in the Industry today, we at Swashdrive Developments are pioneering and refining this technology. In one respect we apologize to the owners of previous generation machines and hope they understand that we must continue to develop this technology and we acknowledge each artists who has provided feedback, and note they have indeed assisted in its evolution, and in the end they are all great machines!
We are also very appreciative that artists continue to buy our technology ensuring the continued expansion and acceptance of the Swashdrive Tattoo Machine as a tool professional tattooists would chose. |
|
Construction:
The Gen 6 machine is constructed with 2 base materials.
Polyamide Resin Frame & 5083 Billet Aluminum Frame
All working parts such as the Swashplate and the Swashplate sub frame (top frame) are CNC machined in 5083 Billet aluminum. With the Billet frame we provided a Polyamide chucking clamp to provide a soft clamping of the tubes. For the Polyamide resin frame, we use a billet chucking clamp to provide the same feel upon clamping up tubes. The Gen 6 machines are all assembled by hand to ensure quality is continually met & kept to a very high standard. All fastener screws are Metric. |
|
Swashplate:
| The swashplate mechanism that drives the needle action is a very efficient means of converting the rotational motion of the electric motor to the reciprocating motion of the needle. In this machine has an approx mechanical advantage of 15:1. |
 |
The motion the swashplate delivers to the needles is that of a sine wave motion (constant needle velocity). Which in essence produces a consistent feel, creating less trauma to the skin whilst very effectively applying the ink into the skin and a very smooth running action. This swash mechanism is not a crank nor a cam (2D), the swashplate make use of all 3D axis which creates a natural fluid cyclic reciprocating action.
In the New Gen 6 we have refined the swashplate mechanism some more. In the Anvil area we have added a small precision bearing that takes the rock over of the Swashplate out of the anvil. Users of our previous generation machines will know how hard the machine was on grommets and sometimes effect the quality of out-lining. Well that is now in the past! The Anvil is now part of the C shape pivot clip and there are 4 replacement C clip parts with every machine. |
Power Supplies:
We recommend only quality dual knob lab power supplies to power this machine. We recommend the supply have no more than Ripple & Noise ≤1.0mVrms (5Hz~1MHz) (rating current<3A). Use the Inkstek, it's the great lab power supply for this machine or any other machine.
Tested & Endorsed power supplies for this machine
Genuine Inkstek lab
Isotech lab
Untested
Eikon EMS 300; At this stage it will turn itself off because of the lack of current draw. This can be overcome by placing a 2 Watt ceramic resistor across the terminals before the machine.
Critical CX-1 & CX-2; Being a PWM type controller there is a conflict with switching rate & our new coreless motor, the outcome is surging and flutuating speeds. This can be over come by adding a round ferrite choke to the clip chord leads, approx 5 turns of the clip cord lead through the ferrite dohnut .
Absolutely never attempt to operate this machine with AC type power supplies, it will destroy the motor instantly!
|
New Gen 6 Specifications:
|
Weight of the Gen 6 3.6 oz / 103 grams
New Gen 6 Operating Values
Voltage 1.0 - 12Volts
Amps 0.08 - 0.35 Amps
Speed of the machine calculation
6.0Volts = 3000rpm which is
= 50 Hz (50 Cycles Per Second)
9.0Volts = 6000 rpm which is
= 100 Hz (100CPS)
12Volts = 9000rpm which is
= 150Hz (150 CPS) |
|
The Gen 6 machine is now driven by a top quality 4.5 Watt brushed motor
Manufactured by Maxon Motor made by the Swiss.
Motor Characteristics:
-
Powerful neodymium magnets
-
Mechanical commutation (graphite or precious metal brushes)
-
Excellent volume/performance ratio
-
Highest efficiency
-
Low inductance
-
No magnetic cogging
-
High acceleration thanks to a low mass inertia
-
Low electromagnetic interference
-
Linear characteristics high reliability | |
Swashdrive Gen 6 offers a choice of two different types of power connections:
|
Gen VI with RCA type connector
Must be positive ,+, Red wire to the centre terminal, Negative, - , Black wire to the outer shield wire. This is very important as the motor will only operate this way, it is not reversible.
|
Gen VI with BINDING POST type connector
Must be positive ,+, Red wire to the TOP Post, Negative, - , Black wire to the BOTTOM Post. This is very important as the motor will only operate this way, it is not reversible. I would strongly advise a clear marking on the positive lead and make sure to connect machine correctly, But the motor circuit has diode protection so if accidental wrong connection is made no motor damage will occur.
|
Setting power supply:
Turn volts to zero first, then turn current (Amps) to full and vary speed of machine by altering/ increasing voltage knob. This is important for the machine on start / stops as the power supply will deliver full amps at startup then settle to what the machine needs to operate at desired voltage.
Operating Voltage:
| 1.0 volts to 12 volts, please do not exceed 12 volts max as you may damage the skin. 12 volts is equal to 150 Hz (CPS). Speeds using higher voltages than 12 volts is not recommended. |
Replacing Anvil Pivot Clip:
Procedure; Using the 2.5 mm allen key provided, unwind the 2 set screws shown in pic 1, but not so far they fall out. Then by clasping the anvil slide the pivot clip ( C -clip) forward and off. There a 4 spare clip provided as this part may wear on the anvil and its 2 rear pivot holes which will give assembly some side slop. Generally this part will last 1 or 2 years. To replace the new clip, wind the 2 side set screws back in so there is approx .5mm /0.0020 thou protruding inside the inner face. Then slide the C clip onto the front pivot bearing then back until both sides of the clip click onto the side set screws, then wind in the side set screws all the way.
NOTE if the machine is drawing alot more current, then do the following; Release the set screw from motor shaft on the main swashplate boss and re-centre the swashplate on the motor shaft to were the C-clip neutral in height to the centre height of the bearing.
Lubrication for the Swashplate:
The swashplate uses the highest quality hybrid OUST MOC9 Airr 608 series bearing (competition skaters bearing) which, with the right care, will give many years of accurate tattooing. Provided with the Swashdrive is a 5 ounce bottle of MET-OL lube, it should be used only on the swashplate Oust bearing. Lubrication will only be needed every 40 - 50 hours of use and only one or two drops per application.
|
If you apply to much oil to the bearing you may hear a clicking noise, this means you have applied to much oil, but don't worry the noise will go away, just don't apply so much next time.
The Metol bottle has a hypodermic applicator provided. To fit to bottle, unscrew the white plug on-top of bottle and screw on needle applicator. When applying METOL to the swashplate carefully insert end of needle into and under the bearing rubber seal lip found inside diameter were the seal meets the rotating boss (as shown in picture) and apply only 1 or 2 drops, any more and the bearing may tend to draw more current and click. Other lube points are the 3 pivot points on the blue plastic pivot clip, using a Teflon or silicon grease, or a light machine oil. |
 |
Roll on-roll off effect:
The Swashdrive Tattoo Machine has a quick change tube setup much like a coil machine but has a roll on roll off effect on start up and stopping to that of a rotary machine. So be aware that the needles may sometimes be in retract position or be hanging out of the needle tip, so extra attention is needed so as not to snag needle points.
|
Tube Chucking System
The tube chucking lock works to accommodate tubes from 8.0mm up to 8.5mm (5/16 to 21/64) and is elliptical in shape with a 45 degree V that the tube clamps against, so needles may be loaded into tube before insertion into machine chuck. The chuck works very effectively so only a small amount of tightening is required on the wing nut. |
|
Things not to do with this machine:
Do not allow the machine to drop on its head, this may cause the motor shaft to bend or even break.
Do not place machine into Autoclave or Ultra-sonic.
Do not run machine with un-tested power supplies.
Do not run the machine above 12Volts DC.
Do not force the swashplate up & down by the anvil, move it by turning the swashplate centre boss. This is important as the swashplate will lock-over at TDC & BTC (Top & Bottom).
Do not over tighten the wing nut on the tube clamp, test how well it works by just tightening it by taking up the slack then another 1/4 turn and its held tight.
Warranty
The Swashdrive Tattoo machine has a Six month warranty from date of purchase. To which Swashdrive will repair any manufacturing fault of the machine free of charge. However disassembly of electric motor and main machine frame, or excess voltage from single knob power supplies wrecking electric motor will invalidate warranty. Proof of date of purchase must be provided for a warranty claim.
Disclaimer
| Swashdrive Developments warrantees the manufacturing quality of the Gen 6 Swashdrive Tattoo machine. But under no circumstances is Swashdrive Developments in any way liable for any injury, infection or quality of any tattoo or of any person that Swashdrive Gen V machine is used on. That is the sole responsibility & liability of the Artist / Owner of this Swashdrive Gen 6 Tattoo machine. |
|
