Question about printing on automatics.

[alan802]

Holy cow Dan, they sent out a guy to try to troubleshoot the problem?  That's crazy, I'm glad they didn't do that with me when I started complaining.  I don't know that I would have been so diplomatic like you were.  I would have likely gotten offended that were going to such measures to find blame somewhere else when I know there is a HIGH probability that they knew there were issues with ink out in the field before they came to your shop.  Surely there was another reason for his visit?

[ScreenFoo]

Pretty optomistic to assume they were sending people out to help troubleshoot.
Probably gauging how many customers actually knew they had problem inks.

[Screen Dan]

Holy cow Dan, they sent out a guy to try to troubleshoot the problem?  That's crazy, I'm glad they didn't do that with me when I started complaining.  I don't know that I would have been so diplomatic like you were.  I would have likely gotten offended that were going to such measures to find blame somewhere else when I know there is a HIGH probability that they knew there were issues with ink out in the field before they came to your shop.  Surely there was another reason for his visit?

I didn't feel offended at all.  Relieved, actually.  Since this is screen printing and I run the screen department all fingers started out pointing at me. 

Once he realized that we have our process tuned to a high degree and we know what we are talking about it was just an open conversation to get to the bottom of it.

...and yes, I think it was more a good will visit than anything.  I forget the guys official title but he came in for a visit with our supplier guy...and they were definitely aware of the situation.

Apparently the three brands haven't really shared their best practices and I imagine their manufacturing lines are still almost entirely separate still.

[ScreenFoo]

I should point out my comment was from experience with other brands, re-reading it I wouldn't want anyone to read into it that I've had such issues with reps or inks from QCM--or Union, Wilflex, IC, etc. 

I have had a few experiences with reps and suppliers who acted like what was happening couldn't happen with THEIR product, even though switching away from it miraculously fixes the problem--which is what makes me think they get away with this type of stuff a lot more than we'd like to think.  Of course there are hundreds of interdependent variables involved, and it's easy to miss some of the subtle changes in process because of them.

Anyway going back to the OP--you get time to try any of those suggestions yet, Stitches?

[That_Spidey_Dude]

I would adjust the angle of your squeegee and speed first and run a few prints to get the ink flowing nicely. Second, I would try a different ink, personally, I like to use OneStroke for my white inks, they are out of the container pretty much ready to use without having to stir it like crazy and almost break goop scoops trying to get the ink moving before it gets put into the screen. I also have a warming tank I keep between 85-90 degrees, and place the ink in it for about an hour or 2 before printing starts (stirring periodically). It's the little things that could fix the screen clearing issue pretty quick. Maybe the mesh isn't up to tension anymore which is causing the ink to gunk up and get stuck in the knuckles of the mesh. White ink is tricky. Also, minimal off contact is key.

[stitches4815]

Update.....  I am so behind on responding to stuff here.  I want to thank everyone for all the information that was given.  The first thing I did was order some Wilflex Quick white and that cured the problem.  Nice, smooth, even prints.  Printing with an automatic is a dream.

[Inkworks]

chunks..

this is screen printing.. not a minecraft game.

they passed off a bad grind and C grade resins to you, the printer and then tried to tell you it was your fault... wow

wilflex or rutland is all ive ever used, this is why.

Interestingly, QMC, Rutland, and Union are now just different flavors from the same ice cream company, though granted, butterfat content can vary.

QCM inks have been a bit of a crapshoot since Rutland took over, often very different batch to batch.