I ned a new exposure unit blanket. I have tried to get a rubber belting place to give me ideas of what to use, and they had a sheet of 1/16" Neoprene, but it didnt seem flexible enough.
What have you used to replace blankets with? I cant see a screenprinting supply store getting any type of rubber that I cant find......
Just looking for thickness and material suggestions!
Re: Vacuum Blankte material.....What have you used?
I use 1/16" neoprene that I got from a local supply store. Works great for me and seems to be holding up very well - but I've only burned 50 or so screens with it.
Re: Vacuum Blankte material.....What have you used?
Natural gum rubber, butyl rubber, edpm (pond liner), neoprene etc. Used all of them, haven't seen much of a difference. Even thick materials, under correct vacuum, will conform.
Re: Vacuum Blankte material.....What have you used?
I've used the neoprene from Virginia Camera, and it works well, but with this (and just about any rubber blanket) I'd suggest placing scraps of material across the corners of your screen before putting the lid down to help save on tears. That's usually where they tear first. I replaced the neoprene one with pond liner I got from home depot, and it works as well. Not quite as stretchy, but if you build enough slack into it, it'll draw down good against your film. Mine is working great. The pond liner is innertube material, so if it tears, get a patch kit from Pep Boys. It is sturdier than the neoprene, though. Mine has outlasted the neoprene so far with no tears.
Vacuum Blankte material.....What have you used? 
