Amergraph Advantage 150 or Nuarc MSP3140

[Frog]

I would think, that especially in times of economic stress and pressure as we as a country are right now, that the companies that can adapt and figure out how to lean and streamline their operation are those that will survive.

[mk162]

I actually just got off the phone with them.  Very helpful and helped me troubleshoot a problem...bad fuse holder.

[3Deep]

The question ask got answered by one person and and this thing went south LOL....sorry I have nothing to add about the units as I have never used either one, but will say money might be the only differents.

Darryl

[mk162]

Frankly, I think used is a good idea with light units.  They aren't complicated and in most cases they can be fixed pretty cheap.  I bought an Amergraph 755 for $1500 and I needed a new bulb...and a fuse too.

It's a great unit, I just have to dial it in now.

[GraphicDisorder]

I would think, that especially in times of economic stress and pressure as we as a country are right now, that the companies that can adapt and figure out how to lean and streamline their operation are those that will survive.

Certainly can be a good thing.  Often isn't.  That's all.

As I said I really want them to make it, I like our unit. 

[Prosperi-Tees]

The question ask got answered by one person and and this thing went south LOL....sorry I have nothing to add about the units as I have never used either one, but will say money might be the only differents.

Darryl

Lol, yeah I was hoping for a wee bit more technical differences to be discussed but it looks like price is the difference.

[Gilligan]

Gerry, I have only seen both of these units and not actually used them so my opinion is of very little use.

I will say this, the Amerigraph's "hood" doesn't go all the way up like the new 3140's do.  This means light scatter in the room.  That is the only thing I don't really like about the amerigraph over the new 3140 at a glance.

I am getting an older 3140 that has the same design as the amerigraph and I'll be hanging some sort of curtain around the base so I can contain the light scatter as much as possible.

[Frog]

Please don't take this as an attack, but let me point out that "light scatter" is an actual condition within an exposure unit and refers to any omni-directional reflection or "flow" of light onto your mesh and stencil. It can occur from the light source, or from the mesh itself, hence the choice of dyed mesh to hold detail.

I understood your reference to mean "light leak", and in some environments without light safe storage,  that could certainly be an issue. I am just trying to clear up any misunderstandings by others before they happen.

[Gilligan]

Good call... you know I'm new at this game and don't have all the proper terminology down.

I was possibly "making up" the term and didn't even know it was an official term, or it's possible that I read it in one of the many articles I read about exposing screens and just assimilated it (incorrectly) into my vocabulary.

Yes, light leak is what I guess I meant, I just know that light blast out in all directions into the room from under the unit.

[Prosperi-Tees]

Anyone know of any newer used ones on the market? I have not seen any lately. Not that I am ready to buy but would like to see what the used market looks like.

[tpitman]

I actually just got off the phone with them.  Very helpful and helped me troubleshoot a problem...bad fuse holder.

Curiously I ask, what was your problem? I've got a 150 and the small circuit breaker behind the access panel will trip periodically. Tech had me replace the old bulb, which worked for a while, but now, mainly on the first exposure, it'll trip, I'll reset it,  then it'll  be fine. I thought maybe the breaker was going bad. I know there's a fuse in there somewhere, so maybe there's a connection?
Other than that minor inconvenience, it's been a great unit.

[Gilligan]

Every time a breaker trips it does get weaker, so that is possible... So is a lose wire or connection and heat may be causing expansion helping to "fix" that connection till it cools down again.

[tpitman]

One thing about the AmerGraph is that it's easily moved by two people. 4 screws and two quick disconnects separate the top unit from the bottom. They sell a curtain to cover the light leak, if you're so inclined. I close the door or go do something else to avoid looking like Snooki.
As for why I bought mine initially? Price. I missed out on a gently used NuArc for about 2 grand. On the other hand, I got the AmerGraph for about $700 less than a new NuArc, catching it just as a price increase was about to occur.

[mk162]

during the install one of the incoming leads to the power switch came off and arced against the panel.  It popped the fuse, which we replaced, I don't know if the fuse holder was dirty or what, but I wasn't getting continuity across the leads.  I was getting power to and through the switch, I kept checking the fuse, but it was the fuse holder instead.

Tech support worked me through it in 5 minutes.