Brown ElectraPrint nightmare Machine

[TheGhost]

We have an ElectraPrint we purchased about 10 years ago. There are some serious issues with this thing and we had a tech out here about 4 months ago who "leveled" it and did some checks on it, but then proceeded to leave without ever printing a multi color design or checking to see if it was actually working. Literally printed nothing. We've called them and they basically have told us "It's time to upgrade" and refuse to send any techs out anymore. Can anyone help?

It's basically impossible to print anything on it now without putting two throw away tees on the two heads that are out of registration. I've been here for 4 hours trying to adjust the arms and see if that will help and so far no luck. Anyone have any other ideas? Or want to make some money and come help me fix this?

They did send us two new palates to try, but unfortunately that makes no difference. Something needs to be done but I am not a mechanic so I really don't know and I can't really find much info anywhere. What to do?!

[Dottonedan]

I'm a tech for different equipment, but I just can't imagine any tech (being there) and not testing before they leave. I'm sure you aren't exaggerating, but wow, Seems unimaginable.

[Shanarchy]

My personal experience tells me there are good techs and bad techs. And they are worlds apart.

I would look into getting a good tech in there to offer another opinion, and hopefully fix your issues.

Where are you located? I'm sure someone on here can refer a good tech in your area.

[mk162]

there are so many places to start...it sounds like since it's only 2 heads or platens, it's probably fixable.

is it 2 platens that are off, or 2 print heads?  If it is platens, they probably need to be leveled to the heads and if it's the heads, those will need to be leveled to the other heads.  There are a bunch of ways of doing this.

There are a couple of brown owners on here.  In my opinion, you have 2 options...hire an independent tech or buy a new/used machine.  There are machines with better support and more techs that are familiar with them.  I would look into this option, a good used Gauntlet 6 color can run between $6-9K for a SOLID machine.

When you hire a tech, learn what they are doing and why.  You should be his shadow.  Ask questions.

[Inkworks]

Okay, I know nothing of the Browns, but here's what I would do assuming the main bushing etc. aren't roached and the regi forks and bearings are correctly set:

1 - level the base
2 - level print arm #1 and platen #1 as best you can
3 - double check Parallel between the head #1 print stroke and platen #1
4 - Parallel the rest of the print head print stroke to pallet #1
5 - Parallel the rest of the platens to the print stroke of head #1
6 - Double check all platens parallel to all print head print strokes
7 - Set all heads screen off-contacts to platen #1 and double check all platens to all heads for off contact of .125" or less, preferably less.

Aside from that, print with the minimum print pressure you can, S and LX mesh make a huge difference for that.

Good luck, keep us posted.

[spotcolorsupply]

If you have 2 pallets that are "consistently" out of registration, and always the same out, it sounds like a registration pin/bearing issue to me..??

If im not mistaken, the browns have an adjustable collar on the center shaft, so if that is out, it should be fixable??

Was the tech a brown tech, or an independent??

[kingscreen]

Where are you located?

[TheGhost]

We are located south of Chicago about 35 minutes, 20 minutes from the border of Indiana basically. Thank you all for the suggestions. We are getting there it seems. I will keep you all posted.

Still would be happy to have an independent tech out to help/take a look, but we'll see how we're doing at the end of today.

[screenxpress]

This is not the first nightmare story I have read on Browns.  What I have already read, even before this, has left in indelible impression to me and I do not doubt his story one bit.

[TheGhost]

This is not the first nightmare story I have read on Browns.  What I have already read, even before this, has left in indelible impression to me and I do not doubt his story one bit.

They are all about the money more than anything. Customer satisfaction is not something they care about. If they did they would come and troubleshoot this machine instead of expecting us to know what to do.

[kingscreen]

This is not the first nightmare story I have read on Browns.  What I have already read, even before this, has left in indelible impression to me and I do not doubt his story one bit.

They are all about the money more than anything. Customer satisfaction is not something they care about. If they did they would come and troubleshoot this machine instead of expecting us to know what to do.

I've owned two ElectraPrints (only 1 now) both of which I bought used. In fact, all I've ever purchased from Brown are parts. I've had some issues with the machines, a lot due to them being older and well-loved, but Mike and Hans have always been nothing but helpful. Hans has even talked me through repairs and troubleshooting in the past which resulted in nothing being purchased from them at all. Although I have read some negative stories about Brown, I've personally had nothing but good experiences with them. And that's coming from someone who has spent less than $1k with them.

As far as independent techs go, Brannon from Spot Color Supply installed one of my machines and has come in to level both of them at different times. Of course I'm in Atlanta, so I'm a bit spoiled on the travel expense. But I've been very happy with the work he has done for me in the past.

[TheGhost]

They were nice guys up until the last service we received. Since then they've been all about us upgrading and refuse to send anyone here.

[TCT]

There is a independent tech up here in MN, no clue if he knows Browns or not, I assume he does. Let me know if you want his contact info.

[Gilligan]

A buddy of mine had a semi-auto... When he decided to go full auto he looked around and went back with brown because of the service.

So it's not all bad.

[TheGhost]

Anyone here know how to explain what to do to adjust the collar on the center shaft? We adjusted the arms and it seemed to help a bit but still not perfect...