Printing to pallet edge with Auto

[ScreenPrinter123]

I have a design that will require me to print to the outside edge of the pallet.  Given that I need to flood to the top of the print, the squeegee will begin its print stroke outside the edge of the pallet a couple inches due to the inkwell space.  I have never done this before and was wondering what my options are since it seems like I could encounter problems as the print stroke begins and hits the edge of the pallet not to far into the stroke.

We typically use minimal pressure and I am thinking increasing the angle of the print would help it make the transition from no pallet to pallet but am hoping there is some experience out there than can help me plan accordingly.

Thanks!

[3Deep]

Well you know what your capeable of doing, but me I don't think I would do it seems like a misprint waiting to happen or busted screens...sorry I,m no help to ya here.

Darryl

[inkman996]

Doing this is going to cause the screen to break down right on that edge, at the least tape that spot up well!

If your print is almost exactly at that edge of the palette I think your going to get some nasty looking prints, the squeegee just isnt going to be in good shape coming on to the edge of the palette.

My advice which I have done on our machine is reverse the order, flood bar in the squeegee holder, squeegee in the FB holder then if your machine allows reverse the print direction. Of course chage all the angles on the holders

[blue moon]

we forgot to adjust the travel one day and had the squeegee go past the platten. It printed for a few min than broke the chopper cylinder shaft . . .

I would not do it!

pierre

[alan802]

We've done this a few times and if your using low 20's psi, you should be fine.  Do like Ink said and tape up that part of the screen that hits the edge of the pallet, the emulsion will break down there.  I would do like Pierre said and avoid it if you have to use a lot of pressure.  I'd try to get in the high teens with your printhead pressure, you're using S threads on this correct?  So depending on mesh count, you should be able to print with 18-22 psi with a 150S and avoid doing any damage. 

Reversing everything like Ink recommended is also a great idea.  I'm not sure if your machine is like ours in that you can change the parameters so that it will end with a flood stroke, but that's what I would do if you have to use high pressure with high mesh counts.

[ScreenPrinter123]

Man you guys are quick!

I will have to see if there is some way to reverse the floodbar and squeegee as there is no obvious function to do so within any of our controls on the Rhino (I do like this idea the best).  Alan how is this accomplished on the RPM?

150S is what i was thinking in order to keep the pressure in the low 20's (we have printed in high teens before but it can get tough for the first two inches of the print because we get a decent drop in pressure since we are not using AC heads).  I will attempt this and tape the screen well above the pallet edge if I cannot reverse the squeegee and floodbar since this seems like my only option left in order to print to the pallet edge.

If anyone has any other suggestions I am ready to listen and learn!

[alan802]

You have to go into the "mode" menu on that particular printhead and scroll through until you get to the parameters, then under P01, change it to 1, the P06 you change to "yes".  I really don't know what all is in your "mode" section but I assume it's similar.  Let me know if yours is different.

[jsheridan]

Keep the squeegee pressure low and it's not a problem at all.

I've yet to break a screen printing like this.

[Inkworks]

Ditto, just today I ran a couple of hundred shirts with a small print just below the back collar with the squeegee starting it's stroke a good inch off the edge of the platen. I'm very careful with the floodbars and any chance they may catch on a seam, collar, pocket or the like, but a sqeegee shouldn't be a problem unless you're using silly high pressure. I do put two layers of masking tape where the edge of the platen hits the screen though.

[RICK STEFANICK]

remember if your squeegie is wider than your pallet you may get pallet marks on the shirt.

[ScreenPrinter123]

Thanks for all the advice, it is good to know that some of you are able to print with the squeegee off the edge of the pallet at the start of the print stroke.

Alan:  We do not have those options at the printhead so I am guessing I am out of luck.

[Croft]

I can't see it being a problem, I print shorts and arms all the time with my auto and only have 16" squeeges , never have wrecked a screen along the sides of the platen?

[inkman996]

I can't see it being a problem, I print shorts and arms all the time with my auto and only have 16" squeeges , never have wrecked a screen along the sides of the platen?

He is talking about the end of the palette not the sides.

[JBLUE]

It's not that big of a deal to do. We do it when ever we max out our print size. We have never ripped a screen yet on the auto doing it.

[Inkworks]

We'll be finishing up 5000 cotton totes tomorrow, printed 95% coverage of one side with the squeegee starting a good 2" past the end of the platen, the screen is just fine and even the tape doesn't show significant wear where it hits the platen end. ~35lbs squeegee pressure, so lightish pressure, but not super light, nothing special.