So, just yesterday we wrapped up a 3,000 piece discharge job and the aquasol hv + cci hardenx lasted, but I was way too scared to wipe the bottom of the screen down in the last 750 prints because I know the screen would've broken down -- and that's never a good thing. I was then just telling Michael how we needed a new exposure unit to blast some stronger emulsions whilst avoiding undercutting (as I understand it, less likely with less time exposing, but I could be wrong), and also not exposing for 15 minutes on our 1k unit to be strong enough to last 10k prints and still be able to wipe it down on the underside while printing.
Then low and behold with sugar plums dancing in my head there was a loud noise outside today, there arose a loud clatter, so I sprang from my office chair to see what was the matter. Away to the door I flew like a flash, tore open the handle and threw up the window sash -- when, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a big stinkin' truck and a kick-butt exposure unit that I can expose any emulsion without any fear. I guess Christmas comes in Advent too for some.
With all this equipment I'm seeing everyone buying, you'd almost think some tax deduction code was being re-written in 2014.
In all seriousness, I want to thank the people at Richmond (Wendy and Craig, specifically) for being fantastic with my questions -- I think this will be the best exposure unit for our office. I also want to tip the hat to Ron Hopkins over at M&R -- it was great speaking with him about their 6k trilight and the forthcoming larger LED Starlight at length -- he was very very very patient with me -- such a class act, just like the folks at Richmond. Would that all manufacturers had that. We almost went with the larger starlight but given the amount of screens we do (with regard to the cost savings) and the amount of repeat jobs (with regard to the heat and ink coming off the films and thus negating their re-usability), the risk of it not being very effective on large dc runs (which is still ultimately unknown at this point, it seems) outweighed those prior considerations. Anywho, Mr. HXT and I have a date next week or the week after..... Gonna put Mike's rumors to rest come January with a large dc run.
Lastly, thanks to all of you whom we spoke with who contribute to this board -- I appreciated all of your valuable input, as you guys (probably everyone who has more than 50 posts here) know more about screen printing than us.