3

Instructions for Operation of the Scotchlite™

Interstate Squeeze Roll Applicator
Using Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive-Coated 3M™ Scotchlite™
Reflective Sheeting

Information Folder 1.4

March 1996
Replaces IF 1.4 dated August 1992

Health and Safety Information
Read all health hazard, precautionary, and first aid
statements found in the Material Safety Data
Sheet, and/or product label of chemicals prior to
handling or use.
Follow the Instructions
3M recommends only the standard practice out-
lined in this Information Folder. Procedures and
materials which do not literally conform to these
instructions are excluded. See Terms and
Conditions of Sale.
Important: Read this Information Folder com-
pletely before operation and follow the
instructions for proper results.
The Scotchlite interstate squeeze roll applicator is
designed for continuous machine application of
Scotchlite sheetings with pressure sensitive adhe-
sive to flat panels including extruded panels and
panels fabricated with extruded ribs. General
applicator specifications, alignment and mainte-
nance details are found in Information Folder 1.3.
Information Folder 1.4 describes specific proce-
dures for applying Scotchlite reflective sheeting,
with the Interstate Applicator.
Reference the product bulletin for the series of
sheeting being applied to determine which appli-
cations require heat directed at the sheeting and
which applications can be made at room tempera-
ture.
The pressure sensitive adhesives provide an excel-
lent bond to most clean, smooth, non-porous
weather-resistant surfaces.
Detailed information on the selection and prepara-
tion of application surfaces may be found in
Information Folder 1.7.
The Interstate applicator is equipped with a 3M
Heater CAL-101 (See Figure 1, Item 1). The
applicator can be operated with the heater on or
off and either directed at the sheeting or the sub-
strates.
Labor requirements will vary with the type of
substrate and worker experience. Machine opera-
tion, loading of substrates, trimming and storage
of finished panels are required tasks. For most
cases one or two workers can set up the machine.
An extra crew of one or two (for a minimum of
three) may be assembled to provide uninterrupted
application.
Preparation
CAUTION: Keep hands, clothing, hair, etc. clear
of rubber rollers.
Item 3
Item 4
Item 1

Item 2

Figure 1: Heater control arm

A. Operational Switches
Operation of the drive motor may be interrupted
by any one of six switches. Normal stop and start
must be controlled by the heater arm
(see Figure 1) when the heater is on.
The switches should be positioned as follows:
1. The heater arm should rest against the stop pin
Item 2
in a horizontal position when the applicator is
running (see Figure 3C) and should be in a
near vertical position when the applicator is
Item 3
stopped (see Figure 3A). This is the primary
control of the applicator.
2. The heater safety guard supports (see Figure 1)
should be in their brackets to depress the
microswitch, placing the switch in the ON Item 1
position. Figure 2: Drive Chain
3. The chain access door must be closed so the
door switch (see Figure 2, Item 3) is in the ON
position.
4. The bottom roller release lever (see Figure 4,
Item 2) should be moved to the raised position,
(Switch On - Figure 4, Item 3).
5. The directional switch (see Figure 6, Item 3)
should be in its “Forward” position.
6. The foot switch (see Figure 5) must be in its
On position. It Should Not Be Primary Control
Of The Applicator When The Heater Is On.
The foot switch may be placed out of the way
after it is turned On.

A B C
Heater Arm

Microswitch

Heater

Microswitch: Open Closed Closed

Interstate: Stopped Running Running
Heater Position: Backward Warming Blanks Warming Sheeting
Heater Switch
Figure 4, Item 4: Off On On

Figure 3: Relative positions of the heater arm and the heater.

2
 Narrow sheeting rolls will require lower wind-up
tension than wide rolls.
Item 1
C. Top Roller Pressure
The following procedure must be repeated after
every change of substrate thickness.
1. Turn hand wheel (see Figure 9, Item 1) to raise
top roller.
2. Place sign panel between rollers. Lower top
Item 2
roller until roller rests firmly on panel and
Item 3
thrust bearing may be spun freely (see Figure 6,
Item 2). A 1/16 inch to 1/8 inch (0.16 cm to
Item 4 0.32 cm) gap should exist between the thrust
bearing and lock nuts. A larger gap (more
Figure 4: Bottom roller release lever pressure) may be necessary when the substrate
is not flat.

Item 9
Item 1

Item 8

Item 10
Item 2
Item 3 Item 5
(inside adjustment
knob shaft)
Item 6
(inside adjustment
knob shaft)
Item 7
Item 4
Figure 5: Foot switch

Figure 7: Stock and liner mandrel

Item 4

Item 3
Item 2 Item 1

Figure 6: Top roller lock nuts

B. Initial Clutch Adjustment
The clutch controls the liner wind-up tension.
Prepare for operation by setting the clutch as fol-
lows: Firmly grasp the liner mandrel (see Figure
7, Item 2) with one hand. The mandrel should
rotate with slight resistance. If adjustment is nec- Item 2
essary, loosen set screw (see Figure 8, Item 4)
with Allen wrench. Adjust hexagonal nut to
achieve slight resistance and retighten set screw. Item 3
Item 1
Set screw may have to be relocated to a different
hole on the nut so it tightens against a flat area of
the hub.
Additional tightening is necessary if liner does not
wind up. Figure 8: Clutch adjustment
3

Item 1
Figure 9: Hand wheel adjustment
D. Loading
1. Remove empty stock mandrel (see Figure 10,
Item 1) and insert through core of sheeting
stock roll. Sheeting should unwind in the
direction shown in Figure 12. If liner leader
has been provided to facilitate loading, do not
remove this leader.
2. Wedge tapered collars into sheeting stock roll
core with a wooden or plastic mallet. Aim
collar set screws in the same direction. Do
not strike sheeting or wedge collars so tightly
as to damage sheeting. If sheeting becomes
telescoped, carefully square roll ends.
3. Place mandrel and sheeting onto machine (see
Figure 10). For convenience and safety, the
roll should be lifted by two operators or by a
hook-lift and a chain-hoist.
4. Center the sheeting stock roll within the
machine frame and lock in place with the
tapered collar set screws. Before the stock
roll and liner roll are locked to their mandrels,
the lateral adjustment screws (see Figure 7,
Items 3 & 4) should be in the middle position
of travel.
Item 2
Item 1
Item 3
Figure 10: Stock and liner mandrels (from IF 21).
5. Place an empty roll core on the liner mandrel in
alignment with the stock roll.
6. The liner stripper roller (see Figure 10, Item 3)
must be in its up position for High Intensity
Grade sheeting applications. To raise the roller,
depress both stripper roller levers (see Figure 1,
Item 2). Pass liner leader under stripper roller
to liner core (see Figure 10, Item 2).
4
7. Set the brake (see Figure 7, Item 7) to prevent
stock roll rotation. Pull liner leader squarely
and evenly and tape to liner roll core. Do not
allow more than 100 yards of liner to be
rewound on a core. Threaded sheeting and liner
under tension must appear flat with no diagonal
wrinkles.
8. Start the units drive motor by rotating the
heater arm to position shown in Figure 3B.
Release the brake to allow the sheeting to reach
the position shown in Figure 11. Tighten the
brake to stop stock roll rotation. Stop the drive
motor by returning the heater arm to position
shown in Figure 3A.
E. Edge Guide Placement
Nominal sheeting widths allow for approximately
an 1/8 inch (0.32 cm) sheeting overlap which is
trimmed after application. Edge guides are posi-
tioned as follows for proper panel alignment:
1. Drape sheeting evenly over the top roller as in
Figure 12. Center a square panel against sheet-
ing. Position the edge guides close to the panel
with an allowance for possible variation in
panel width. Lock guides in place with hand
knobs. Replace sheeting on liner.
2. Check edge guide alignment by passing panels
through the machine. The brake must be set to
prevent stock-roll rotation and the sheeting must
not be allowed to contact panels.
3M Filament Tape #898 has been used and
found satisfactory.
Figure 11: Proper thread-up
 For room temperature applications the speed can
Item 1 be adjusted as desired depending upon manpower
and substrate.
For applications requiring heat on the sheeting,
the applicator speed must be adjusted to obtain the
recommended temperature. This will vary with
the type of substrate, the temperature of the sub-
strate and the sheeting used. To determine the
correct speed and temperature for these applica-
tions, place a RAA-28 Telatemp temperature
recorder strip firmly onto the sheeting stock roll
as it begins to unwind. (See Figure 14).
Figure 12: Proper thread-up

Hold panels against one edge guide as they are fed

into the nip. If panels do not travel in a straight
line, or panels put pressure against guides, reposi-
tion edge guide ends that are farthest from rollers.
This will keep panels centered under sheeting.

Figure 14: Check the telatemp after it exits the nip rolls to
determine the sheeting temperature reached. (See Figure 15).
Item 1

Item 2

Figure 15: Reduce speed to increase temperature. Increase

speed to reduce temperature.

Figure 13: Leveling knob and speed crank

F. Application Speed Temperature Check

The applicator speed can be varied from 5.5 to 20
feet per minute by starting the motor and adjusting
the variable speed dial (see Figure 13, Item 2).
Clockwise rotation increases speed. Note: The
drive motor must be in operation when changes in
speed are made. Numbers on the dial do not cor-
respond to application speeds.

5
G. Bottom Roller Protection
To prevent sheeting adhesion to the bottom roller,
liner or slipsheet may be used as a conveyor (see
page 7) or for bottom roller protection.
Alternatively, paper liner from Engineer Grade
Sheeting or SCW-82 slipsheet may be wrapped
around the roller, glossy side out. Wrap in the
opposite direction from normal bottom roller rota-
tion. Tape in place with Scotch™ Tape #853 or
#8401. The material should form a smooth, wrin-
kle-free cover. Reversal of roller direction may
wrinkle or tear protective sheet from roller. Do
Not Use Silicone Spray Or Release Agents To
Protect Roller.
The Interstate Squeeze Roller is now ready for
application of Scotchlite reflective sheeting.
Application Requiring Heat Directed at the
Sheeting
Reference the product bulletin for the series of
sheeting being applied to determine which appli-
cations require heat directed at the sheeting and
which can be at room temperature.
WARNING: Keep hands, clothing, hair, etc.,
clear of rollers. The heater does not have to be
Hot to cause injury. Under no circumstances
should the heater element be touched, even when
cold, unless the electric power is disconnected.
Moisture can cause the heater elements to carry
an electrical charge up to 220V. Applications
must be made with a minimum of interruptions.
Have appropriate manpower, and substrate quanti-
ties available for continuous application.
A. Start Application
1. The rubber rollers must be prewarmed as
described below to provide proper temperature
conditions for application. The roller must also
be rewarmed any time application is halted for
more than 3 minutes.
a. Reattach loose sheeting to the liner and tight-
en brake to prevent stock roll rotation (see
Figure 15). This will protect sheeting from
heater during warmup.
b. Direct the heater away from the rollers (see
Figure 3A). Turn the heater on at the
machine (see Figure 4, Item 4).
CAUTION: Do not use the heater if sol-
vents or solvent vapors are present.
6
Figure 16: Sheeting must be applied under minimum
tension.
c. All operational switches should be in the On
position so that the drive motor will be start-
ed when the heater is turned towards the
rollers (see Figure 3C).
d. When heater elements are cherry red, turn
heater toward rollers (heater arm as in Figure
3B). Preheat rotating rollers for 3-5 minutes
or until rollers are hot to the back of your
hand.
CAUTION: Never allow the hot heater to be
aimed at stationary rollers. If top roller pres-
sure has been set for a thick substrate such that
the rollers do not touch, the top roller will not
rotate. In this case, lower the top roller with the
handwheel (see Figure 6, Item 2). Count the
turns that are required for the rollers to touch.
After the warm-up, return the top roller to its
application position. Do Not Leave Applicator
Unattended During The Warm-Up Period.
2. Use of a starter panel is recommended. The
panel should be a minimum of 12 inches (30.5
cm) in length by the sheeting width.
a. At the end of the warm-up period, direct the
heater away from the rotating rollers (see
Figure 3A) and return the top roller to its
application position.
b. With the motor drive On, reduce brake ten-
sion and allow sheeting to travel to the posi-
tion shown in Figure 11. Set the brake to
prevent further stock roll rotation and stop
the motor drive.
c. Fold sheeting down in front of the nip as
shown in Figure 12. The sheeting should be
stripped evenly from the liner and should lie
flat against the top roller.
d. Loosen the brake until the sheeting visibly
loses tension at the area noted in Figure 12,
Item 1. Insert the starter panel into the nip.
3. With a starter panel in the nip, turn the heater
arm to its operating position. Tighten the
brake slightly for the starter panel only, so that Proper Tension
the sheeting flattens against the top roller. As
soon as the sheeting is flat against the top
roller, brake tension must be reduced.
Adjust proper tension by reducing brake to cre-
ate a small loop (Figure 17A) and tighten
slightly until loop disappears. A small loop
may occasionally reappear and then disappear.
This is normal.
Occasionally repeat proper tension setting pro-
cedure as the stock roll decreases to maintain
proper tension. Figure 17B and 17C illustrate
the appearance of the loop with high and low
brake tension. Do not allow any sheeting to be
applied at high tension. A large loop, shown in Figure 17A
Figure 17B may cause sheeting to fold into
hard wrinkles. Liner
4. Consecutive panels should be fed approximate-
ly 1/4 inch apart. Avoid large gaps between Sheeting Too Loose
panels or sheeting may stick to the bottom
roller. For proper color matching of multi- Heater
Accessory
panel signs, see page 9. Top Rubber
Roller
5. Trim panel edges closely with a sharp utility
knife. Trim cuts should be made down at a 45˚
angle to the edge of the panels as shown in
Bottom
Figure 18. Use care in trimming to avoid chip- Rubber
ping edges. Roller
Sign
After trimming, always place panels on edge, Figure 17B Blank
face to face, and back to back. When ready to
package or store the mounted signs, consult
Information Folder 1.11 for packaging and Too
Tight
storage recommendations.

Figure 17C

Figure 17: Sheeting must be applied under proper tension.

7

Figure 18: Trim panel edges
Room Temperature Applications
Reference the product bulletin for the series of
sheeting being applied to determine which appli-
cations require heat directed at the sheeting and
which can be made at room temperature.
Room temperature applications can be defined as
lamination without heat directed at the sheeting.
If the substrate temperature is 65˚F or above,
apply without using the cal-rod heater. If the sub-
strate temperature is below 65˚F, turn on the
cal-rod heater and aim it at the substrate. (See
Figure 3B). Adjust speed to obtain at least 65˚F
on the substrate. Do not aim the heater at the
sheeting as in Figure 3C.
WARNING: Keep hands, clothing, hair, etc.,
clear of rollers.
The heater does not have to be Hot to cause
injury. Under no circumstances shall the heater
element be touched, even when cold, unless the
electric power is disconnected. Moisture can
cause the heater element to carry an electrical
charge up to 220V.
A. Start Application
Use of a starter panel is recommended. The panel
should be a minimum of 12 inches (30.5 cm) in
length by the sheeting width.
1. Direct the heater away from the rollers as
shown in Figure 3A.
NOTE: The heater is not used to warm the
rubber rollers or the sheeting.
2. Prepare for one of two conditions of applica-
tion. All operational switches should be in the
ON position so that the drive motor will be
started when the heater arm is moved.
(If the shop temperature is higher than 65˚F
(18˚C) it is suggested that the sign blanks be
used after they have been conditioned to the
room temperature.)
8
Room Temperature Blanks.
a. Turn heater arm to position shown in Figure
3A.
b. Fold sheeting down in front of the nip as shown
in Figure 12. The sheeting should be stripped
evenly from the liner and should lay flat against
the top roller.
c. Loosen the brake until the sheeting visibly loses
tension at the area noted in Figure 12, Item 1.
Insert the starter panel into the nip.
d. Turn heater arm to position shown in Figure 3B,
starting machine.
(If the shop temperature is lower than 65˚F
(18˚C) it is suggested that the sign blanks be
warmed by running them under the heater (see
Figure 3B) during application.)
Pre-Heated Blanks
a. Turn heater arm to position shown in
Figure 3A.
b. Turn ON the heater at the machine (see
Figure 5, Item 4). Do Not use heater if sol-
vents or solvent vapors are present.
c. Fold sheeting down in front of the nip as
shown in Figure 12. The sheeting should be
stripped evenly from the liner and should lay
flat against the top roller.
d. Loosen the brake until the sheeting visibly
loses tension at the area noted in Figure 12,
Item 1. Insert the starter panel into the nip.
e. When the heater element is cherry red, turn
heater or arm to position shown in Figure
3B, starting machine.
3. Tighten the brake slightly for the starter panel
only, so that the sheeting flattens against the top
roller. As soon as the sheeting is flat against
the top roller, brake tension must be reduced.
Adjust proper tension by reducing brake to cre-
ate a small loop (Figure 17A) and tighten
slightly until loop disappears. A small loop
may occasionally reappear and then disappear.
This is normal.
Occasionally repeat proper tension setting pro-
cedure as the stock roll decreases to maintain
proper tension.
4. Figures 17B and 17C illustrate the appearance
of the loop with high and low brake tension.
Do not allow any sheeting to be applied with
high tension. A large loop shown in Figure
17C may cause sheeting to fold in to hard
wrinkles.
5. Consecutive panels should be fed approximate-
ly 1/4 inch apart. Avoid large gaps between
panels or sheeting may stick to the bottom
roller. For proper color matching of multi-
panel signs, see below.
6. Trim panel edges closely with a sharp utility
knife. Trim cuts should be made down at a 45˚
angle to the edge of the panel. Use care in
trimming to avoid chipping edges. After trim-
ming, always place panels on edge, face to face
and back to back. When ready to package or
store the mounted signs, consult Information
Folder 1.11 for packaging and storage recom-
mendations.
B. Color and Brightness Matching
Whenever two or more pieces of Scotchlite sheet-
ing are used together on a single sign or as a set,
they must be matched to assure uniform daytime
color and nighttime reflective appearance.
Sheeting should also be matched for color and
brightness when spliced. Vertical joints of sign
panels and sheeting splices are preferred over hor-
izontal. When sheeting splices must be
horizontal, overlap top sheet over bottom sheet 1/4
inch.
1. To check matching, use a 100 watt bulb in a 7”
matt reflector held at eye level and view the
whole sign from a distance of at least 50 feet
(15.2 m) by retro-reflected light. If nonunifor-
mities in reflective appearance are visible, the
sign is not properly matched.
2. Color and brightness matching can be accom-
plished with proper material selection,
application care, panel identification, assembly
and final inspection of the complete sign.
a. Material Selection. Rolls of prematched
Scotchlite reflective sheeting should be
ordered. Pre-matched rolls are carefully
selected, matched and marked with a match-
ing symbol (U, V, W, X, Y, Z) and date. The
symbol and date are stamped on the carton
label and within the core. Example: July 28,
1995 Y.
9
Use only sheeting from rolls having the same
date and matching symbol on one sign. If a
sign is to be made using a combination of 6-
inch and 12-inch extrusions, or 30-inch and 48-
inch panels, sheeting from two different width
rolls may be used on one sign if both rolls have
the same date and symbol. A different symbol
or date should not be used in combination
unless the whole sign is assembled and inspect-
ed visually by day and reflected light and found
to be uniformly matched.
6 5 4 3 2 1
6 5 4 3 2 1
6 5 4 3 2 1
Figure 19: Notice that the matching edges are always swung
to meet each other. Panels 1 and 2 are a matched set. Panels
1, 2, and 3 are matched, etc. Match as many panels from a
roll as are required for the sign.
b. Application Care. Reflective sheeting
applied to panels from a roll should be
matched as shown in Figure 19.
c. Panel Identification. Panels for any one
sign (see Figure 19) should be assembled
and applied in consecutive order. Panels
should be marked on the reverse side, as
they are taken off the applicator. Then they
can be reassembled in the same order with
correct edges adjacent.
d. Final Inspection. Assemble the complete
set of panels required for one sign in order
and inspect for uniform appearance by day
and with light. If panel assembly has uni-
form appearance, final fabrication can
proceed.
C. Lateral Adjustment of Liner and Stock Rolls
To maintain proper sheeting overlap on panels,
stock roll position may be slowly adjusted during
application by the lateral adjustment screws (see
Figure 20, Items 1 and 2).
If the adjustment is not performed slowly, hard
wrinkles in the sheeting may be formed on the
panels.

Item 1
Item 2
Figure 20: Hand wheel adjustments
Shut Down
A. If applications are to be halted before the end
of a sheeting roll, stop the applicator on a
short scrap panel.
B. Never Cut Sheeting Against The Top Roller.
Loosen brake to form a loop and cut the sheet-
ing as shown in Figure 21.
C. If a roll is to be removed from the machine,
rewind the sheeting onto the stock roll with
extra liner. The extra liner will later serve as a
starting leader.
D. Do Not Allow Sheeting Or Liner To Touch
Heater While It Is Hot.
E. When application is finished, turn the heater
off at the machine.
F. Lower the bottom roller to prevent contact
between the rollers which could cause flat
spots. The liner stripper roller should remain
in UP position.
Figure 21: Stop application on scrap panel.
10
Extrusions - Extru-Sheet
A. General
1. Standard aluminum extruded panels used for
traffic control signs are manufactured in vari-
ous widths with ribs on the back. Grooves are
provided on the sides of sign panel extrusions
to accommodate overlap sheeting that is rolled
over the edges by the Edge Roller Assembly,
RAA-3 (see Figure 22).
2. ”Extru-Sheet” panels are manufactured in var-
ious widths by spot welding ribs to flat
aluminum panels. Following application, the
reflective sheeting is trimmed at the edges in
the same manner as flat sheets.
The following recommendations are important for
good applications of Scotchlite reflective sheeting
to the aluminum extrusion commonly used for
highway signs.
1. Extrusion specifications should include an
inset 0.015 inches by 0.500 inches on the side
and have a radius of .040 inches on the corner.
The old dimensions were 0.007” x 0.375” with
a 0.025 R.
Very Important.
2. Use sheeting 12 3/4 inches wide.
3. Use commercial heat guns1 prior to the edge
roll assembly (see Figure 25). Direct the hot
air at the sheeting edges just prior to the edge
rollers. Teletemps (RAA-28) applied to the
outside edges should reach 120˚F to soften the
top film and insure adequate adhesion.
4. Condition aluminum and sheeting to shop tem-
perature (at least 65˚F) for 24 hours prior to
application.
5. The extrusion should be relatively flat between
ribs and the ribs should be perpendicular to the
face of the extrusion.
Sheeting Reflective Sheeting
Overlap
Groves For
Overlap
Not to Scale
Reflective Sheeting
Spot Weld
Figure 22: Typical Extru-Sheet cross-section
B. Collar Roller Assembly
1. The Collar Roller Accessory, RAA-2, is used as
a bottom roller when reflective sheeting is
applied to extruded panels or Extru-Sheets.
The Collar Roller consists of a steel shaft with
movable aluminum collars that support the
underside of extrusions or Extru-Sheets. These
collars must be positioned so that the panels are
run in the center of the machine. The two-inch
wide collars are used to support the flat panel
areas of extrusions and Ex-Sheets. The one-
inch collars are smaller in diameter and are
used to support the welded Extru-Sheet ribs.
Both types have locking screws to secure them
to the roller shaft.
NOTE: Do not use the standard rubber bottom
roller for application to extruded or Extru-Sheet
panels.
2. Collars not used under panels should be posi-
tioned to support the end of the top roller.
3. Tighten collars so that the gaps between collar
halves are equal and the screws are in a straight
line along the shaft.
C. Edge Roller Assembly
1. The edge roller accessory is secured to the cen-
ter of the Interstate exit table as shown in Figure
25.
2. To adjust the edge roller assembly, pass an
extruded panel through the machine, on over
the edge roller table. Adjust the roller assem-
blies to the extruded panel as necessary to
support the panel and firmly roll sheeting over
panel edges.
Commercial heat guns1 mounted as in Figure
25 are recommended to assist sheeting applica-
tion at the edges. The guns should be aimed to
eliminate folding resistance at the first edge
roller and provide heat along the line of edge
rollers. Avoid extreme temperatures which
might damage the sheeting.
3. Follow standard application procedures. SHUT
OFF the heat guns any time applications are
stopped.
4. Panel edges must be clean. If overlap edges
will not adhere, inspect the panel groove for
contamination. See Information Folder 1.7 for
panel preparation.
Slipsheet Conveyor
A.When a large number of small or irregularly
shaped blanks are to be run, use the slipsheet
paper conveyor to prevent the adhesive
between blanks from adhering to the bottom
roller during application.

Figure 25: Edge roller assembly

Extrusion A"

2" 2" 2" 2"

Extru-Sheet B" A"

1" 2" 1" 2" 1"

Figure 24: How the collars may be positioned to support an extrusion and/or Extru-Sheet panels
1
Available in commercial supply catalogs such as “Grainger Supply”. Typical is
Master Appliance Model 42714, 115V, 12 amps, 500˚F maximum temperature,
pistol type.
11
 Sheeting
Rolls
Strip
Nip Roll
Rolls

Conveyor (2)
Table
(3) Conveyor
(1) Table
Slipsheet
Roll

Figure 27

Figure 26: Loading table

To load the slipsheet roll, thread the paper from

the bottom mandrel up and over the conveyor
table, through the space between the rubber nip
rollers (see Figure 26). Paper from the bottom
mandrel must unwind under tension to operate
properly.
B. Figure 27 shows possible ways of threading
1. Long conveyor
2. Short conveyor
3. Roller protection only
C. Figure 27 shows a typical nesting arrangement
that may be used to feed irregular sign blanks.
1. To load the slipsheet roll, thread the paper
from the bottom mandrel up and over the con-
veyor table, through the space between the
rubber nip rollers (see Figure 27).
2. The paper from the bottom mandrel must
unwind under tension to operate properly. Figure 28

Trouble Shooting
Condition
A. Machine will not turn on.
B. Panels will not remain aligned as they pass
through the machine.
NOTE: To minimize tracking where close
tolerances are required (approximately 1/4 inch
in an 8 foot panel) use edge guides on both
sides of panels.
10.
12
Probable Cause/Corrective Steps
1. Power plug disconnected on one or more opera-
tional switches in off position. See page 2 for
switch locations.
1. Edge guides not properly aligned; see page 3.
2. Panel not centered in the applicator.
3. Stock roll not entered on mandrel.
4. Rubber rollers not in alignment.
5. Top rollers preload springs not uniformly adjusted.
6. Top of the bottom roller lower than top of load-
ing table rollers; see (1.3) for alignment details.
7. Incorrect top roller pressure; see page 2.
8. Stock mandrel misaligned with liner mandrel.
Minor lateral adjustments may be made with lat-
eral adjustment knobs (see Figure 8).
9. Warped or bowed rubber rollers. Replace
roller(s) or have roller(s) professionally resur-
faced.
Panels not square. Check panels with carpenter
square.
Trouble Shooting (continued)
Conditon Probable Cause/Corrective Steps
C. Sheeting tracks off panels or wrinkles 1. “Telescoped” stock roll. Remove stock roll.
during application. Stand on end and rewind sheeting into align-
ment.
2. Stock roll and liner roll misaligned. Minor later-
al adjustments may be made with the Lateral
Adjustment Knobs (see Figure 8). Excessive lat-
eral adjustments in either direction will cause
mandrels to bind. For major adjustments, cut
liner and re-attach to liner roll in proper position.
3. Tapered collar set screws loose.
4. Improper liner stripper roller position. Roller
must be Up on both sides for application of High
Intensity Grade sheeting.
5. Stock or liner mandrel shift laterally. Check set
screws in Lateral Adjustment Knobs and tighten
if necessary.
D. Sheeting cracks after application of 1. Reduce brake and clutch tensions. Apply
screen process colors. sheeting as on page 5.
2. Increase air flow through drying racks.
3. Use recommendation ink series.

Maintenance 2. Use 3M Citrus Base Industrial Cleaner.

Do Not Use The Heater While Working With
Periodically check applicator condition and align-
Solvents.
ment, particularly if the machine has been used
extensively. Check rubber rollers for wear with a C. Periodically check heater aim per Information
straight edge. If low spots or worn areas are Folder 1.3, Section IV-C
observed, replace the rollers or have them profes-
sionally resurfaced. Check the bearings on all
rollers and replace where necessary.
A. Lubrication
1. Refer to Information Folder 1.3 for detailed
lube instructions.
2. Periodically grease motor drive and roller bear-
ings. Do Not use silicone based lubricants.
3. Maintain proper gear box oil level per motor
drive instruction plate.
4. All moving parts, including threaded adjust-
ment rods, should be lubricated at points of
contact with light grade machine oil.
B. Bottom Roller Cleaning
1. To remove adhered sheeting scraps, use the
heater to soften the material. Carefully remove
sheeting with a slightly sharpened spatula.
Use extreme care to avoid damage to the rub-
ber.

13
Literature
Available from 3M
Scotchlite™ Interstate Squeeze Roll
Applicator - Specifications, Installation
Alignment, Maintenance IF 1.3
Color Application Instructions IF 1.8
Cutting, Matching, Premasking,
Prespacing IF 1.10
Storage, Maintenance, Removal. IF 1.11
Scotchlite™ Process Colors & Clears -
Series 880 & 840 PB 880/884
Scotchlite™ Process Colors - Series 700 PB 700
Scotchlite™ Reflective Sheeting
Series 2200, 3200, 5200. PB 2200, 3200, 5200
Scotchlite™ Reflective Sheeting
Series 2870, 3870, 5800, 9800
PB 2870, 3870, 5800, 9800
Scotchlite™ Reflective Sheeting Diamond
Grade LDP/Diamond Grade VIP
PB 3970, PB 3990

14
3M assumes no responsibility for any injury, loss of damage arising out of the use of product that is not of our manufacture.
Where reference is made in the literature to a commercially available product, made by another manufacturer, it shall be the
user’s responsibility to ascertain and follow the precautionary measures for its use outlined by the manufacturer.
Important Notice.
All statements, technical information and recommendations contained herein are based on tests we believe to be reliable, but
the accuracy or completeness thereof is not guaranteed, and the following is made in lieu of all warranties, express or
implied:
Seller’s and manufacturer’s only obligation shall be to replace such quantity of the product proved to be defective. Neither
seller nor manufacturer shall be liable for any injury, loss of damage, direct or consequential, arising out of the use of or the
inability to use the product. Before using, user shall determine the suitability of the product for its intended use, and user
assumes the risk and liability whatsoever in connection therewith.
Statements or recommendations not contained herein shall have no force or effect unless in an agreement signed by officers
of seller and manufacturer.
3
Traffic Control Materials Division
3M Center, Building 225-5S-08 3M Canada Inc. 3M Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
P.O. Box 33225 P.O. Box 5757 Apartado Postal 14-139 Printed on recycled paper

St. Paul, MN 55133-3225 London, Ontario N6A 4T1 Mexico, D.F. 07070 75-0300-2888-2