8530 Shatterbox
Page 18 of 28
SPEX SamplePrep LLC January 2010
6.4 Clamp Mechanism Maintenance and Replacement
All Shatterboxes have clamp levers that are anchored to the capsule retainer by yokes. In
current Shatterbox models (8500, 8515, 8530), the yokes are attached with Allen bolts inserted
from the top, so they can be tightened easily if the yokes become loose. Instructions are given
here for tightening and replacing yoke bolts, and for replacing clamp arms and levers.
If one of these bolts breaks and cannot be removed from the capsule retainer, or you are
repairing an earlier model Shatterbox with the yoke bolts inserted from beneath, call our
Service Department for advice and parts availability. Contact information is in Section 12.0.
The Shatterbox clamp mechanism is anchored to the capsule retainer by yokes: the long yoke
(Diagram A, Item 19) holds the clamp arm (Diagram A, Item 14), and the short yoke (Diagram A,
Item 12) holds the clamp lever assembly (Diagram A, Item 13). Each yoke is attached to the
capsule retainer by two Allen bolts (Diagram A, Item 10). If a yoke loosens, the bolts must be
tightened. To do this, remove the C-clip (Diagram A, Item 18) from one end of the pin (Diagram
A, Item 17) that holds the clamp arm or lever, and push the pin out from that end. Use a 5/32-
inch Allen wrench to tighten the loose bolts; you may wish to remove the bolts, clean them,
and apply a locking agent before tightening them.
Clamp arms and clamp levers are replaced in a similar way, by pushing the pin out of the yoke,
removing the old arm or lever, replacing it, re-inserting the pin, and holding the pin in place
with a C-clip.
6.5 Tightening or Replacing the Yokes
All but a few of the early Shatterboxes have a long yoke (Diagram A, item 19) and swing short
yoke (Diagram A, item 12) that are fastened to the capsule retainers by Allen bolts inserted
from above. If these bolts loosen, they can be tightened with an Allen wrench after removing
the pin holding the clamp arm or lever. To do this, remove one of the C-clips (Diagram A, item
18) holding the pin (Diagram A, item 17) in place, and push the pin out from that end. In the
unlikely event that the bolts shear and cannot be removed from above, or if you have one of
those early Shatterboxes with the bolts inserted from below, it will be necessary to remove the
funnel to gain access to the underside of the capsule retainer. After detaching the upper
section of the mechanism (Diagram A, item 18 from item 22), invert it and remove the eccentric
arm (Diagram B, item 35) by first taking out the small setscrew from the large slotted setscrew
(Diagram B, item 27) and removing it. Then pull the funnel straight off the shaft. When
installing either yoke, first clean the yoke and its mounting bolts to remove all traces of oil, and
treat each bolt with a locking agent to prevent loosening after assembly. When replacing the
funnel and eccentric arm make sure that the long side of the eccentric arm and the funnel
counterweight (Diagram A, item 9) are on the same side of the funnel, otherwise the gyrating
motion of the Shatterbox will be unbalanced.
