R5 series
The R Series splicers were originally designed to be rail-mounted, but the product range soon expanded to meet fresh customer requirements. All R Series, regardless of the design sub-type, were designed to be machine-mounted, not portable.
There are two sub-ranges of the R Series: The R5 splicers and the R6 splicers
The R5 range of splicers was designed to make splices of the “ends-together” form. (illustrated)
Models were:
Model R5/S, a splicer fixed permanently in one position to a textile machine. (illustrated). It was provided with a removable front (splicer) section, so that servicing was simplified; if the splicer needed maintenance, a new front section could be fitted while the original part was being repaired off-line.
Model R5/B, a splicer fitted with a carriage assembly. It was designed to run along a mono-rail, allowing the splicer to run along the entire length of a textile machine. The splicer was fed with air via an air hose, which could be connected either to the top or the bottom surface of the splicer. The design allowed the splicer to move in small sideways increments along the rail; it was therefore well-suited to splicing warp threads, or beam-creeled yarns on tufting machines.
- Model R5/R, a splicer fitted with a carriage assembly. It was designed to be attached to a special air-filled mono-rail, allowing the splicer to be moved along the entire length of a textile machine. The splicer not fed with air through a hose, like the R5/B,. Instead, the splicer was supplied through special valves incorporated into the structure of the rail. The valves were placed at intervals, determined by the customer; the splicer could be stopped precisely at each valve station, the air supply then being automatically connected.
Since 2003, the R5 series of splicers has been superseded by the 103 Series. The 103 range, consisting of 12 variants, is more versatile than the R Series, has a simpler construction, and handles a wider range of yarns.
Although the R Series is no longer manufactured, it is still supported in part by a degree of after-sales service. The body can no longer be supplied as a spare part, but most of the small components remain available, either from stock, or to special order.