The NEW Generation V machine 2008

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 forward. We apologize to the owners of previous generation machines and hope they understand that we must continue to develop this technology forward, they are all great machines ! we are also very appreciative that artists continue to buy our technology ensuring the survival of the Swashdrive Tattoo Machine.

Construction

The Gen V machine  is Injection molded in the highest quality Virgin Polyamide Composite resin (Zytel by Dupont) Basically the material is 35% glass filled Nylon 66. The molding's are then boiled in water at 88 deg C for 3 hrs which stress relieves and toughens the material.  The molding's are then finished CNC machined on all critical positions to ensure alignment and consistency. All working parts such as Swashplate & chucking clamp are CNC machined in 5083 Billet aluminum. The Gen V machines are then all assembled by hand to ensure quality is continually met & kept to a high standard. All fastening 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 and in this machine it 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,  a very smooth running action.

In the New Gen V 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 previous generation swashdrive machines 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 no part of the C shape pivot clip and there are 4 replacement C clip parts with the machine.

 

 

 

Power supplies  

Only use Quality  power supplies to operate this machine. We  recommend  the supply have no more than Ripple & Noise ≤5.0mVrms 

Tested & Endorsed power supplies for this machine.

• Genuine  Inkstek lab

• Isotech lab

• Eikon EMS 300 (Gen V Swashdrive Only, not Gen IV machines with +2Amps current draw)

Absolutely never attempt to operate this machine with AC type power supplies, it will destroy the motor instantly !

The Gen V is now driven by a new type brushless out-runner electric motor, a very efficient, very stable  speeds & with a long running life, apparently up to 30 000 hrs life.
It is extremely important to have a pure source of DC to operate this motor, to much ripple noise AC and it will kill the motor.

 

New Gen V Operating Values

Voltage 4.0V - 18.0 Volts DC

Amps 8.0Ma - 230Ma (0.08 - 0.23 Amps)

Power Consumption @ 12Volts with 130Ma current draw = 1.50 Watts

Max       "    "          @ 18Volts with  230Ma current draw = 4.10 Watts

Weight of the Gen V

3.8 oz  / 109 grams

Speed of the machine calculation 

9.00Volts = 3000rpm which is = 50 cycles per second (50 CPS)

17Volts = 6000 rpm which is = 100 cycles per second (100 CPS)

18Volts MAX = 106CPS MAX

Choice of Two different types of Power Connections   

Gen V 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 V 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

Is from 4 Volts to 18 Volts, please do not exceed 18 Volts Max as you may damage the motor. The motor has a built in current overload, this will not cut out under normal operation, but if you stall the motor by fingering the top of centre boss the motor will drop out for 1 second before resetting, a great safety feature to ensure motor isn't overloaded and blow its circuit. 

 

Replacing Anvil pivot Clip

 

Procedure;  Using the 2.0 mm allen key provided, unwind the 2 set screws shown in pic 1 & 2 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 a year or 2. 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 set screws until you see it jacking the clip  in off the face of the frame then back the screw off 1/4 turn.

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 put 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 rotating boss, as shown in picture above and apply only 1 or 2 drops, to much 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 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 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 18Volts DC

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 V 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 V Tattoo machine.