Author Topic: Talk to me about Vastex LED exposure units  (Read 1438 times)

Offline Rockers

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Talk to me about Vastex LED exposure units
« on: May 11, 2014, 09:31:15 PM »
Anyone here having one in his shop. Would love to get some more feedback.


Offline sweetts

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Re: Talk to me about Vastex LED exposure units
« Reply #1 on: May 12, 2014, 07:07:36 AM »
I think Pierre can give you insight on this unit


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Offline TCT

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Re: Talk to me about Vastex LED exposure units
« Reply #2 on: May 12, 2014, 09:04:38 AM »
Pierre can probably tell you more about the unit than Vastex can! ;D Pierre and Greaves post ISS on Friday took more readings of a Vastex unit than NASA takes from Mars! ::)
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Offline dirkdiggler

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Re: Talk to me about Vastex LED exposure units
« Reply #3 on: May 12, 2014, 10:19:02 AM »
he also did it with M&R starlight with myself and Rich on Saturday.
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Offline JJPrint

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Re: Talk to me about Vastex LED exposure units
« Reply #4 on: May 12, 2014, 10:26:39 AM »
I did take a look at this unit at the 2013 SGIA, but decided to go with the Lawson LED 5000 mainly because of price.  Now that we have been using it for about 7 months we are very pleased.  Zero issues so far and exposes in less than 20 sec using Chromoline CTR (Photo-polymer).  We previously had a Nuarc 3140 that was about 14 years old.  At the M&R booth they indicated they weren't quite ready to ship.  A local sales rep selling the the Vastex asked about under cutting of the Lawson unit, which we really have not noticed any difference from the 3140 - other than being faster and quieter.

Offline GraphicDisorder

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Re: Talk to me about Vastex LED exposure units
« Reply #5 on: May 12, 2014, 10:34:53 AM »
he also did it with M&R starlight with myself and Rich on Saturday.

Will he be posting conclusions?
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Offline blue moon

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Re: Talk to me about Vastex LED exposure units
« Reply #6 on: May 12, 2014, 12:36:13 PM »
Vastex unit is solid. we had it in the shop for two moths last year for testing. Built like a tank (seriously, if there was an earthquake I would be under the exposure unit, no joke!) and overall very nice product. I had a problem warming up to it, but by the end, you could not talk me into using the 3140. I was sad to see it go. We did not buy it as it would have been a lateral move (our 3140 still works fine) and it would be an expense that would not address any of our higher priority needs.

Mark mentioned several upgrades/adjustments/changes and I wanted to take the readings on the revised version before giving it two thumbs up. They increased the sweet spot and the vacuum motor size, added an indicator light and there might have been something else, but it was not related to the quality of the image so I can't really remember. The light measurements we got are within 1% or so if I remember correctly. I'll go over my notes and write something up pretty soon.

Starlight unit was significantly more powerful with about twice the UV energy delivered when compared to the Vastex. We did not test in the shop so I can't tell you if there are any undercutting or other performance issues, but knowing Rich, I doubt it. It did have a slightly higher fluctuation in the light field than the Vastex unit, but it was also rather small.

pierre
Yes, we've won our share of awards, and yes, I've tested stuff and read the scientific papers, but ultimately take everything I say with more than just a grain of salt! So if you are looking for trouble, just do as I say or even better, do something I said years ago!