 Re: Recommend a 6/4 press?
Brent,
You would probably set the flash dryer 1½-2" above the platen. This would most likely result in a flash of 6-8 seconds for plastisol. If you multiply those seconds by the number of stations you have on your press, you'll see how much time each shirt will have to cool down before you put on a second layer of ink. 4x6=24 seconds whereas 6x6=36 seconds. The more you flash, the more heat starts building up in the platens and the more you'll need to cool off the shirts before your second layer of ink.
Another way to overcome the problem is to install a cooling fan at the station after the flash or two stations after the flash. You have to be careful that the wind created by the cooling fan does not cause a problem for the flashing station. Flash dryers are VERY susceptible to breezes and their performance is greatly effected by them.
Also, I urge you to NOT use your platens when curing fully. They are not built/designed/intended for such use and will likely warp. If you must use your flash dryer to fully cure, place a table, platform, etc. that is the same height as your platens near the flash dryer so you can spin the flash away from your platens and onto your DEDICATED drying platform.
To ME, it would be money better spent to get a 6c/6s press and a totally manual (not automatic) flash, than to short yourself 2 stations. That having been said, I have a 6/6 press with a manual flash dryer but I will be replacing the manual IR flash with a Quartz flash that has a built-in timer and a footo-switch trigger (usually flashes a shirt in less than 2 seconds). I have a converyor-type dryer for my final or full cure. That's just MY thinking on the matter. You have to work out what's right and best for you. I'm certainly no expert. |