Large format Dye Sub

[Atownsend]

I have the "opportunity" to pickup a pretty large 50x60" heat press. It looks like a really big Alibaba unit. Its local across town so I went and looked at it. The owner didn't really have any info on it so i did some research and found the likely manufacturer. 3ph who know how many amps (no plate that i could see)...leaking some hydraulic fluid etc... but its currently in use and hasn't been a problem apparently. I saw it run, got a rundown of the controls etc. Looks like a solid unit, but needs some TLC. Im not too afraid of fixing machines but haven't really had to deal with hydraulics before. Im anal so i'd want to chase that leak down. I will email the manufacturer so I can at least make sure its on the right size breaker.

https://bowaychina.en.made-in-china.com/product/iXUngPGwauYv/China-Large-Format-Automatic-Sublimation-Bed-Sheets-Heat-Transfer-Printer-Printing-Machine.html

Anyone have experience with these?

I think we would want to do dye sub for applique embroidery. But it would also be pretty cool to do all over dye sub. This would do two up all over from the looks of it. So a free machine will likely turn into 10k at least after buying a large format epson and then likely a laser cutter for the fabric. This guy was doing tone on tone dye sub on 50/50's and "vintage" full color dye sub on 50/50s' I've got to say it was pretty impressive.

Anyone have recommendations for printers / lasers? Are the F series from epson still the go to? I also dont know much about lasers but it looks like i might be in for it. Are lasers even the way to go? I think stahls uses a waterjet but that likely may be out of our budget.

[Atownsend]

Looking like we may be picking up a new in box, unused epson F series 44"w printer. Only thing that i worry about is its only CMYK... some of the higher end models have extra carts for either fluro's or expanded color range. Not sure how critical that will be for us. I guess we just need to get running first to see how were actually going to put this into action. The Mimakis looks nice as well but having had experience with the old 7600's / 9600's im really trending towards epson.

Laser cutters are a whole nother thing... the units they're making now are insane.

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Dual-Head-Laser-Fabric-Cutting-Machine_1601097934453.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.p_offer.d_title.135d13a0ov74H1&s=p

Belt feed, dual axis / head with CCD cameras and everything. Probably overkill.... but if we're going to do it why not go all the way. Anyone know how sensitive these lasers are to heat / humidity / dust? I'd like to keep them on the production floor with the heat press / screen print and everything else. I really don't want to have to build a room and pipe in AC.