Discuss the different types of equipment needed for screen printing. Topics include manual screen printing presses, automatic presses, dryers, folding machines, starter kits and high end machines.
We have the vastex and it works pretty good. I can't seem to get my screen guy to prep the screens correctly on a consistent basis so I don't use it all of the time. I think that the tri-loc is a better, more accurate system. I think another problem for our system is the pallet jig. It did not fit on our pallets correctly despite giving Vastex the correct dimensions so I had to do some re-fabricating, metal cutting and hacksawing to get it to fit down on the pallet. Then, the three points the screen slides up to were too high so the first time I indexed the auto to the next station it damn near ruined the pallet jig on the first try. I sawed the pieces down and straightened everything back out.
When I tape the film to the screens and burn the screens myself it works really well, but only 50% of the time when my help does the exposure. I do know that most of the big shops swear by them and wouldn't be caught without a good registration system.
Alex, I'll try and call you tomorrow when I get settled in at the shop. We'll talk about that RPM and regi systems.
Last edited by alan802; April 20th, 2009 at 08:14 PM.
Reason: Added some info
We just bought the Vastex VRS system and it seems great so far for the jobs we have used it on. It certainly saves time and seems to provide consistent registration so far. We are thinking it was worth the price.
We have the vastex and it works pretty good. I can't seem to get my screen guy to prep the screens correctly on a consistent basis so I don't use it all of the time. I think that the tri-loc is a better, more accurate system. I think another problem for our system is the pallet jig. It did not fit on our pallets correctly despite giving Vastex the correct dimensions so I had to do some re-fabricating, metal cutting and hacksawing to get it to fit down on the pallet. Then, the three points the screen slides up to were too high so the first time I indexed the auto to the next station it damn near ruined the pallet jig on the first try. I sawed the pieces down and straightened everything back out.
When I tape the film to the screens and burn the screens myself it works really well, but only 50% of the time when my help does the exposure. I do know that most of the big shops swear by them and wouldn't be caught without a good registration system.
Alex, I'll try and call you tomorrow when I get settled in at the shop. We'll talk about that RPM and regi systems.
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Please keep in mind that Alan is using our VRS on an automatic and we custom made his pallet jig. On that note, Alan could you E-mail us some information on how you had to modify the jig to work for your press? Also, information on your press and any other info that could help us resolve this issue in the future. We're constantly trying to improve our system to work on every press out there and would GREATLY appreciate the feedback! Thanks!!
To the OP: If you have a manual press with rear clamps, you WILL NOT run into any problems like this gentleman ran into.
Please keep in mind that Alan is using our VRS on an automatic and we custom made his pallet jig. On that note, Alan could you E-mail us some information on how you had to modify the jig to work for your press? Also, information on your press and any other info that could help us resolve this issue in the future. We're constantly trying to improve our system to work on every press out there and would GREATLY appreciate the feedback! Thanks!!
To the OP: If you have a manual press with rear clamps, you WILL NOT run into any problems like this gentleman ran into.
I'll take some pics sometime this week and email them to you. The american centurian is built a little differently than the more common presses, especially the way the pallets are set up. I wasn't bashing the system Mike, it works especially well for the price we paid for it. The dimensions didn't take into account the differences the centurian has and I sure didn't think about it at the time. You guys did a good job and I'll do what I can to help ya'll out.
I'm using a hopkins press and am about to replace all my wooden pallets with aluminum ones. I'm going to attempt to save some money and try and construct a makeshift registration system. If all goes well, I will share the plans and take pictures along the construction of it. I'm pretty confident I can do it at low cost.
I'll take some pics sometime this week and email them to you. The american centurian is built a little differently than the more common presses, especially the way the pallets are set up. I wasn't bashing the system Mike, it works especially well for the price we paid for it. The dimensions didn't take into account the differences the centurian has and I sure didn't think about it at the time. You guys did a good job and I'll do what I can to help ya'll out.
Awesome! I'm glad to hear it's working out! I always get a little worried if I hear one of our customers has to modify something from us. If you could E-Mail those photos to me at that would be great! Thanks Alan!
Registration Systems 
