Author Topic: entry level dryer  (Read 6851 times)

Offline RICK STEFANICK

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1925
  • INDUSTRY CONSULTANT-OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Re: entry level dryer
« Reply #15 on: October 18, 2011, 08:13:17 PM »
If I were you i would go a little larger than entry level as suggested by DK..Find a used m/r maxicure 36". should run under 2k in clean unrefurbished condition..at lease then you can print with some speed or multiple presses.
Specializing in shop assessment's, flow and efficiency


Offline Prosperi-Tees

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 4297
  • Common Sense - Get Some
Re: entry level dryer
« Reply #16 on: October 18, 2011, 09:01:26 PM »
Here are a couple entry level dryers at reasonable prices for new. No frills it just works. I have the smaller 4000 dryer but wish I had the 6000

http://tshirtprintersupply.com/store/CS4000.html

http://tshirtprintersupply.com/store/CS6000.html


Offline Frog

  • Administrator
  • Ludicrous Speed Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13980
  • Docendo discimus
Re: entry level dryer
« Reply #17 on: October 18, 2011, 09:13:52 PM »
I can see how you would want the 6000 as it defies the laws of nature as we know them! From the description, Measuring 32" x 8 ft with a 36" wide belt
Dr. Who fans may recognize this same principle in the Tardis (time and relative dimension in space) which allowed larger interior than the exterior dimensions.
Cool stuff from the folks at Ranar lol!

« Last Edit: October 18, 2011, 09:47:59 PM by Frog »
That rug really tied the room together, did it not?

Offline Prosperi-Tees

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 4297
  • Common Sense - Get Some
Re: entry level dryer
« Reply #18 on: October 18, 2011, 09:18:41 PM »
I can see how you would want the 6000 as it defies the laws of nature as we know them! From the description, Measuring 32" x 8 ft with a 36" wide belt
Dr. Who fans may recognize this same principle in the Tardis (time and relative dimension in space) which allowed larger interior than the exterior dimensions.
Cool stuff fro the folks at Ranar lol!


I know I noticed that typo as well, lol. That would look pretty wierd with slots in the chamber to allow the belt to travel.

Offline ZooCity

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 4914
Re: entry level dryer
« Reply #19 on: October 18, 2011, 10:48:21 PM »
I agree with pretty much everything said here.  Bigger, longer, hotter and girthier is better.

I went with a Vastex a few years ago for my first conveyor.  It's done pretty well for me and I'm amazed that such a short dryer can do so well at curing ink.  This is totally unsubstantiated but I think they might put really nice IR panels in the Vastex units, it would explain how a panel smaller, with less wattage than my flash can deliver a full cure in less time than it takes to flash a T.  It would also explain the crazy warranty on the panels.  Our EC-I can just barely stay ahead of me printing solo and I work at anywhere from 75-150 pcs/hour typically, depending on the colors and flashes in the print.  We maxed it out doing heart prints with a team of three at about 350 pcs/hour.  The 30" belt is very nice but you'll always want a wider belt.   

If you go short on the dryer get the digital temp control it's not really an option, it's critical in my opinion.  We had the model with the 'baseboard heater' style temp 'control' and it's just way too slow to get the temp under actual control.  Some people like the dry-box series from them but without the PID control I say don't bother.  On short dryers your print is in there for, well, a short amount of time.  If the panel temp isn't spot on during that 30 seconds or whatever it might be then your going to under or over cure significantly.  Long dryers, this is less of an issue I would imagine- a slow temp control has the whole 8' or so to catch-up and stabilize the temp.  Most long chamber IR dryers are closed in and insulated as well so you have ambient heat happening.   The Vastex concept is more like 'zap it' than 'cook it' - I guess it's the microwave oven of print dryers. 

Why is no one microwaving their shirts???

Anyways, I'm actually selling the EC-I soon, about 2 weeks if all goes well.  So here's a shameless plug, you can pm or email me if interested. 

Down the road I want nothing but a big 'ol natural gas dryer.  The M&R Heatwave is the only one I know of that will fit in you space but it's going to cost a lot more than IR. 

Don't even run the dryer until you vent it.  No point in breathing all that crap.  I vent our chamber with a 250cfm in-line fan ('heat-moving' fans at {insert big-box home supply store here}) and then a 250cfm vent box that I made from entirely reclaimed materials- a kitchen vent fan, some sheet metal and ducting- which works surprisingly well. 

Offline Prosperi-Tees

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 4297
  • Common Sense - Get Some
Re: entry level dryer
« Reply #20 on: October 18, 2011, 11:14:18 PM »
http://www.vastex.com/products/InfraredDryers/ECI.php

I like to have this in the 54" version for my auto. This would be the max I could put in my shop as far as amps go but I worry about that short chamber being able to do 300+ shirts, doesnt seem like it could do that.

Offline Nation03

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1259
  • The Dude abides.
Re: entry level dryer
« Reply #21 on: October 19, 2011, 05:32:52 AM »
I think the chamber is rated for 150 an hour if you're just putting the shirts in a single row... but since it is so wide you can put two rows of shirts on, giving you the 300 per hour.