AMS Combo - Spirals jump up when vending bottles.

[brendio]

I have a couple of AMS Combos having trouble vending bottles (~20 oz.) whereby the spirals seem to jump up and the bottle falls out the bottom of the spiral, leaving a large gap at the front (i.e. the bottles behind are not pushed forward). That's what I presume is happening; we get to the machine and the spiral is up at the front and the front bottle position is missing. I've had it on a few machines, and at first I thought someone was tipping the machine, but it also happens sometimes with a machine we have bolted down. Anyone had this happen? Is it too much friction between the bottles and the bottom of the tray? There is a strip of what looks like sticky tape/cello tape on the trays. Is this to help bottles slide?

[AZVendor]

You need to load the bottles with the caps down.  I believe that's how AMS recommends they be loaded.  The strip might was polyurethane  tape that AMS put on the shelf to aid in sliding.  Otherwise make sure the bottles fit the spirals loosely and are tipped back.

[falls]

I don't have an AMS but have a few thoughts on the issue.

Is this a Sensit 1,2,or 3?   Sensit 1 and 2 the spiral will stop when a vend is detected, and there is no home position. The stop position might be at a place where the bottle can worm under he front of the spiral. Shouldn't happen with sensit 3 which has a home position switch (the spiral should always end in the same orientation it started)

Are you vending bottles base down or top down? If Top down, it may just be the spiral stop position needs adjusting to stop the bottle sliding under. (If this is the case I' guess at it being the first bottle correctly vends, but as it slides out it pushes the spiral up, allowing bottle 2 to escape under the helix as well)

Are the bottles loose in the spirals, or a fairly snug fit? I've ha problems in other machines with the spiral having trouble moving the bottles forward because of friction with the shelf dividers.

1 hour ago, brendio said:

There is a strip of what looks like sticky tape/cello tape on the trays. Is this to help bottles slide?

According to the parts manual that would be " 3189-01 Tape, UHMW Polyethylene, 3/4” X .005” " and it certainly seems to be as a product slide, or used to keep the spiral off the metal tray. 

[brendio]

It's a Sensit 2, so no home positions.

I didn't know about vending bottles upside down in a AMS (and couldn't see it in the manual I have either). I know you need to in Necta Snakky machines, but the previous operator with vending bottle upwards for years. I did try Gatorade bottles upside down once when they were getting stuck, but it seemed to be even worse. I think that has to do with the shape of the sides.

Also, now that I think of it, I have the problem with 16.9 oz cans too. I don't imagine they should be placed upside down.

I will try to find a supply of that tape, because I know on some machines it is peeling off.

[Technivend]

A little late to the game. Usually when I have seen this it is caused by the location shaking the machine for free product. Balance something in the bottom of the machine and if it's knocked over when you return that probably the issue. 

[brendio]

That was my thought at first when it happened on another machine, but this one is bolted to the ground. I doubt someone would be able to shake it down.

I suspect friction. I am thinking about trying to replace the polythene tape, but my google searches show it to be quite expensive for how much I would need.