Front Suppression Shield Fine Alignment
From tigwiki
Fine alignment of the front suppression shields is done with respect to the alignment jig dubbed the 'Death Star' which is a spherical piece of Aluminium with a slot for each shield machined into the sphere. This job requires two people as many of the positions make it impossible to view the front suppressor whilst adjusting the screws.
- When aligned the heavy-met tip of the shield will fit precisely into the associated slot. There are two alignment directions; distance from clover and side-to-side. The correct distance from the clover means that the heavy-met is as close to the ridge of the slot as possible without scraping it. The side-to-side alignment means that the edge of the heavy-met is exactly lined up with the drilled hole at each end of the slot.
- The alignment is done by adjusting the 3 grub screws (3mm Hex Drive) and 2 (4) securing screws (6mm Hex Drive) on each suppressors individual mechanical frame.
- During alignment the front suppressor should be retracted from the Death Star by a sufficient distance to clear the ridge during adjustments to avoid damage the suppressor, Death Star or Ge.
- The amount that the securing screws are tightened plays a major role in the alignment.
- The outer grub screws have the least importance in the alignment. They are used for coarse adjustment of the side-to-side alignment. Fine side-to-side alignment is achieved from the tightness of each securing screw.
- The distance from the clover alignment is achieved through a combination of the central grub screw and two securing screws.
- This is not an easy job and requires practice to get a feel for the effect of each screw and combination of turns.
- The procedure is best done for one suppressor at a time and one clover at a time. Once all four members of the clover set are aligned individually check their alignment together to see if adjustments are needed to fit all 4 together.
- The adjustment of the twins (Two adjacent suppressors which occupy the same slot in the frame) is coupled. Adjusting one, or following alignment the extending or retracting of one will move the other one also.
- Once the Death Star is removed the alignment must be check and adjusted for each set of 4 sitting together.
- The alignment of one hemisphere takes roughly 6 hours.

