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Moo Spot Prints · December 21st, 2006

IMO, one of the greatest rock songs of all time, btw. As this isn't the proper forum for discussing the Merits of Queen or David Bowie, I'll focus on clamping pressure for heat presses.

I read yet another 'my transfers aren't coming out right' post and again there was more discussion about 'medium' vs 'heavy' pressure. Arrgh!

Yeah, here's another one of my 'let's quantify' exercises. Sick of 'em yet?

I've seen two basic types of pressure guidelines. Most are in the 'light', 'medium', 'heavy', etc. category. A minority actually specify pressure in lbs. Neither help me as my press doesn't come with a way to measure said pressure. Frustrating. How do you achieve consistency from job to job?

So I started thinking about how to measure the camping pressure. Did a little digging and found this paper.

I found at least one company making the stuff. No idea how much it costs... yet. Neat application pictures. in the brochure.

Have any of you tried to measure the relationship between the crank on your press and the pressure exerted by the platen? Even something as basic as '3 turns = 10lbs' would probably be enough. Crud. That reminds me that I know enough math to just calculate it. Anybody know the thread pattern for the pressure knob on a Phoenix Phire press?

Moo Spot Prints · December 21st, 2006

Found some pricing.

About $50/foot.

gmille39 · December 21st, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moo Spot Prints


	IMO, one of the greatest rock songs of all time, btw. As this isn't the proper forum for discussing the Merits of Queen or David Bowie, I'll focus on clamping pressure for heat presses. I read yet another 'my transfers aren't coming out right' post and again there was more discussion about 'medium' vs 'heavy' pressure. Arrgh! Yeah, here's another one of my 'let's quantify' exercises. Sick of 'em yet? I've seen two basic types of pressure guidelines. Most are in the 'light', 'medium', 'heavy', etc. category. A minority actually specify pressure in lbs. Neither help me as my press doesn't come with a way to measure said pressure. Frustrating. How do you achieve consistency from job to job? So I started thinking about how to measure the camping pressure. Did a little digging and found this paper. I found at least one company making the stuff. No idea how much it costs... yet. Neat application pictures. in the brochure. Have any of you tried to measure the relationship between the crank on your press and the pressure exerted by the platen? Even something as basic as '3 turns = 10lbs' would probably be enough. Crud. That reminds me that I know enough math to just calculate it. Anybody know the thread pattern for the pressure knob on a Phoenix Phire press?

I have a Hotronix but also have no idea what pressure is being used when I press. I pretty much do it by feel at this point. I set the pressure as light as it will go and then do a few turns and call that light pressure. A few more for medium and even more for heavy. The heavy I go so that the magnet will still hold the top down. Too much pressure and the top won't stay. At this point I now know by pressing the handle down and locking it whether it's medium or heavy. I haven't noticed any problems with the transfers or rhinestones.

Fluid · December 21st, 2006

Bowie Rocks!

T-BOT · December 21st, 2006

by feel all the way.

since you change shirt types often too, and usually you bring the plate down to warm them up, thats when a turn the know to adjust the pressure.

-----------------------------------
Young Americans

Rodney · December 21st, 2006

Quote:


	Have any of you tried to measure the relationship between the crank on your press and the pressure exerted by the platen? Even something as basic as '3 turns = 10lbs' would probably be enough. Crud. That reminds me that I know enough math to just calculate it. Anybody know the thread pattern for the pressure knob on a Phoenix Phire press?

This would definitely be some helpful info. That's something I never understood from all the talk about pressure, since the actual heat presses don't have an acurate "light/medium/heavy" pressure gauge button.

Seems like a digital (or even analog) pressure gauge would be a good feature for a heat press manufacturer to add to their machines.

Moo Spot Prints · December 21st, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodney


	Seems like a digital (or even analog) pressure gauge would be a good feature for a heat press manufacturer to add to their machines.

Curse you Rodney!

I got into this because it had very little to do with computers. That last post of yours got me thinking how to adapt a strain gauge into my press. I really don't have time for this right now!!

Josh -- can you hook me up with a schematic for the microprocessor on the phoenix (not the electrical one)? I'm sure there's an extra input line in there somewhere. It's theoretically possible to add another line in the set mode to show the pressure. I'm betting that there's a simple 8-bit cpu in there. Atmel or TI-MSP. Maybe a stamp?

That's the more elegant solution but I would have to hack the micro (and hope the program is in eeprom). Another approach is to have an external lcd mounted that just shows the clamping pressure. Any other embedded hackers here?

gmille39 · December 21st, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodney


	This would definitely be some helpful info. That's something I never understood from all the talk about pressure, since the actual heat presses don't have an acurate "light/medium/heavy" pressure gauge button. Seems like a digital (or even analog) pressure gauge would be a good feature for a heat press manufacturer to add to their machines.

However, the medium pressure setting for a lightweight tee would be much different than the medium setting for a hoodie. You still have to adjust it for the different thicknesses of the garments.

Rodney · December 21st, 2006

Quote:


	I got into this because it had very little to do with computers. That last post of yours got me thinking how to adapt a strain gauge into my press. I really don't have time for this right now!!

Too late, now you're hooked in

I get that way too with when a new idea pops up.

Quote:


	Josh -- can you hook me up with a schematic for the microprocessor on the phoenix (not the electrical one)?

Just in case he doesn't see this right away, you may want to send him a PM or email.

Quote:


	That's the more elegant solution but I would have to hack the micro (and hope the program is in eeprom). Another approach is to have an external lcd mounted that just shows the clamping pressure. Any other embedded hackers here?

I'm not one, but I'm very interested in seeing what you come up with. Heck, I bet the press manufacturers would be interested in seeing what you come up with.

My wife and I always talk about some new improved ideas as "ideas that should have been done in the first place"

Like how they now put your grocery deli meats in a ziplock bag to keep them fresher longer. That should have been done as soon as ziplocks were invented (and cereal should come in those as well).

But I digress

Seems like a pressure LCD would be a perfect addition to a heat press.

MotoskinGraphix · December 21st, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluid


	Bowie Rocks!

My favorite..."Rock and Roll Suicide" I love that ****!!!!

Rodney · December 21st, 2006

Quote:


	However, the medium pressure setting for a lightweight tee would be much different than the medium setting for a hoodie. You still have to adjust it for the different thicknesses of the garments.

Dangit, that's a good point

Maybe there's a way to make the pressure measured relative to the item being pressed?

I know this is something I'll try to document in my heat press "journal"

gmille39 · December 21st, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moo Spot Prints


	Curse you Rodney! I got into this because it had very little to do with computers. That last post of yours got me thinking how to adapt a strain gauge into my press. I really don't have time for this right now!! Josh -- can you hook me up with a schematic for the microprocessor on the phoenix (not the electrical one)? I'm sure there's an extra input line in there somewhere. It's theoretically possible to add another line in the set mode to show the pressure. I'm betting that there's a simple 8-bit cpu in there. Atmel or TI-MSP. Maybe a stamp? That's the more elegant solution but I would have to hack the micro (and hope the program is in eeprom). Another approach is to have an external lcd mounted that just shows the clamping pressure. Any other embedded hackers here?

Is there a big drop in quality between pressing a tee at 10 lbs. of pressure or 8 lbs. of pressure? I've been doing it by feel for a long time and not one has fallen off the shirt.

MotoskinGraphix · December 21st, 2006

Info from the stock plastisol transfer folks say......adjust your press by placing a sheet of paper between the platons with the ability to pull it out. Now adjust the platons with enought pressure to not be able to pull it out. Now that is a silly variable. I think it doesnt take much rotating the knob to achieve heavy pressure...I probably use way more than actually needed. The press actually achieves great pressure rather quickly.

I know that doesnt solve a thing but there it is.

Moo Spot Prints · December 21st, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmille39


	However, the medium pressure setting for a lightweight tee would be much different than the medium setting for a hoodie. You still have to adjust it for the different thicknesses of the garments.

You sure about that? If you have a gauge, medium would be medium for all thicknesses. Obviously you would have to adjust to get the same reading for both but that's the point, there's no way of knowing how much to adjust by.

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