[pyrophire]

Okay maybe the Jack rabbit isnt part of this but, I have this really crazy idea of using standard red lasers to create a pre-registration system... but I'm not sure if the red light from the laser could prematurely expose the emulsion on the screen enough to cause a problem once the image needs to be exposed. The laser would possibly be on the screen for up to a minute as the printouts are aligned on the screen and taped up... anyone have any idea about this?

 

[Fauxfax]

I've had thoughts before about using laser pointers to align screens - but I was thinking more to do with aligning the burned screens on the platen as opposed to aligning the acetates on the emulsion. To be honest now I'm thinking more about buying a proper dye based printer for the acetates so that I can expose longer for a harder screen and yet still get clear, crisp, fine registration marks. At the moment I use an Epson 2100 set on 'black and 'glossy photo' and it does fine but I'm well aware that it is not the best I could do. A whole printer setup with very opaque black dye and rip software is probably the way to sharp registration. Sorry if I've drifted off topic a bit.

 

[PositiveDave]

Red lasers should be OK, they can be picked up for very little and are used in some systems.

 

[alan802]

I've looked at this and made something with our lasers but the lasers don't provide a fine and sharp enough line to setup the artwork precise enough for a registration system. Using a traditional Film Positioning Unit with a grid printed/drawn on a white background will give you better results. The apparatus you use to mount the lasers has to be very stable and not move at all in relation to your stop points. I'm not saying you can't get something to work but keep it as simple as possible and you'll likely get better results.