Anatol Stratus blowing air lines

[Zelko-4-EVA]

ive replaced most of the 1/8" air lines on our trident and vindicator with legris tubing.  the barb fittings get replaced with real press to lock fittings.  i think the oils made the air line expand which makes them not fit onto the barb fittings anymore.

ive also replaced some of the 1/4" air lines with legris brand tubing - it seems to be more flexible than the hard plastic tubing that was supplied with the press.

ive used a 1/8" union and pulled the air line through - the ones going to the air locks are easiest, the ones that go to the print carriage are taped together inside the cord wrap, and the whole thing needs to come apart.  i zip tie the tubing to the cord wrap to get the press back up and running.  dosent look attractive, but saves labor and downtime.

[Binkspot]

Are they brittle? Heat and chem around the shop can cause some lines to break down. Too much pressure will also cause a rupture. Lesser tubing will expand under pressure and make it imposiable to fit back in the fitting or fit tight on a barb.

[tonypep]

Apparently tubing is cheap China knockoff......blew another one last night so no the entire head needs to be taken apart.
So I think that's five in about eight days.

[mk162]

yup, otherwise all you would be doing is chasing air leaks.

do you guys have any down time on those presses?

[tonypep]

Six days a wk 2 shifts so not really. This stuff is so cheap it's coming apart in my hands. It's actually rupturing as we try to remove it. Rich graciously offered to send me some replacement hosing.

[Frog]

What did I tell you? 

[tonypep]

Nailed it Andy. But replacing all of the lines is not an option.......that would require disassembling every print arm and head. That would take days; who knows how many. I would rather sell it.
BTW this press is only four ys old.

[mk162]

how many colors?

[Parker 1]

Six days a wk 2 shifts so not really. This stuff is so cheap it's coming apart in my hands. It's actually rupturing as we try to remove it. Rich graciously offered to send me some replacement hosing.

Let us know how this hosing compares.

[Frog]

As I alluded to in my first reply, it's a drag when a crappy third party component helps bring down an otherwise serviceable piece of equipment.

[mk162]

yup, and i am not above replacing said components.

[3Deep]

Tony did you call Anatol and see what they say about this, I,ve always got a quick reply and help whenever I needed it.  I would think they would send you out some new tubing to save face and keep there name and equipment in the best light.

Darryl

[tonypep]

I can get better grade here locally and cheaper, plus I'm going to take Rich up on his offer when I get a chance. I for one cannot compare the tech service response btwn the two companies. The guy I usually get is new and not from the industry and has to get back to me every time. Plus he usually needs me to take pics because he doesn't understand the problem

[Gabe]

I had this issue with the air lines with a brand new entry level auto press
the problem was the length of the lines where too short
i have to strecht them to make the connection
make sure you got some slack in the line Team mates
Gabe
 

[tonypep]

The air lines that are breaking are inside the chopper mechanism. There is no room to stretch you have to replace