Feedback request

[Action1]

We've had many inquiries from manual screen printers on roller squeegees. Please offer your critical feedback on this pictured solution. I have some concerns regarding the effectiveness of this tool when being used manually. My main concerns are the pressure that a person can employ and the fatigue issue versus a machine. Do you think this will work? Any advice or feedback is appreciated.

[Gilligan]

It will flop over.

The pivot point is the roller and your putting our hands way above that pivot point.

[tpitman]

I don't understand the concept of any advantage a roller squeegee might offer to begin with, but the design you show won't work. The axis of the roller and the axis of the handle are on two different planes. It's not like a baker's rolling pin, which it should be to work at all. Trying to hold your model while applying any pressure to it will be difficult, as your hands will tend to go over or under the direction of pressure you're applying. It's like trying to balance on a perfectly round log and roll it without falling off.
Maybe I'm missing something here, but from the looks of your picture, that's what I see as a problem.

[tpitman]

It will flop over.

The pivot point is the roller and your putting our hands way above that pivot point.

You put it more elegantly.

[DannyGruninger]

If the roller material itself is Teflon or similar I know it will work. If the roller material is the same as the ones we have from you guys that we use on our auto my gut says no because the time it takes a manual to spin the table, lower the screen and print is too long for the flattening to be achieved. I'm sure it will help but not to full effect. I built a similar smaller unit we use at the end of the dryer sometimes for metallic prints and gel prints which is a small Teflon sheet lined rolling pin. It helps so I don't see why yours wouldn't granted the roller has the right surface material on it.


Danny

[mooseman]

Way off base for manual guys plus Gilli  & tpitman are  100% right mechanically it will never work, My face would be slammin into the paltten in two seconds...which kinda explains a lot about me How in heck could you grip this thing well enough to keep it from rotating within your grip.
Add some under the arm outriggers and ove the arm stabilizers, cantilever the roller out about 18 to 20 inches from the grip point  and park a small compacted bus on it between the grip & roller.

By the way when will you show us what you are really thinking.....

mooseman

[Inkworks]

A little off tangent, but maybe a teflon roller following a flashback on a Javelin/Freedom would be a good idea, Almost zero dwell between flash and smooth and you wouldn't lose a head.

[Action1]

Thank you guys. Yes I do see your points regarding the pivot location. I agree that it would be cumbersome as shown. So may I redirect the question as to the viability of doing it by hand. I think we can redesign the assembly to be balanced and controllable. But - will it work manually?

Danny - are you saying that the print will cool down too much by the time you get to it? Please elaborate your thought sir.

[Inkworks]

For a manual use two rollers, that will solve the flip-flop issue. Like below:
 o
OO

[Action1]

For a manual use two rollers, that will solve the flip-flop issue. Like below:
 o
OO

Great suggestion. We had recently developed a double roller squeegee & I think most of the design can be applied as you described - see picture. This is a design still on the drawing table - look for it soon though. Feedback on this is also greatly appreciated.

[sweetts]

What about a rail system or unit that is a complete frame where the pressure can be dialed in maybe mount it to a static frame?


RT Screen Designs
www.rtscreendesigns.com

[Gilligan]

For a manual use two rollers, that will solve the flip-flop issue. Like below:
 o
OO

Still won't work as pictured in the first with those round handles so high up.

You would need more meat to hold on to... this is why squeegee handles are designed the way they are.  I'm all for reinventing the wheel if you can make a better wheel but in this case it seems like the handle aspect is very after thought to your product.  For manual printing the handle should be the first thought as fatigue will be worse if it's poorly designed.

[Action1]

For a manual use two rollers, that will solve the flip-flop issue. Like below:
 o
OO

Still won't work as pictured in the first with those round handles so high up.

You would need more meat to hold on to... this is why squeegee handles are designed the way they are.  I'm all for reinventing the wheel if you can make a better wheel but in this case it seems like the handle aspect is very after thought to your product.  For manual printing the handle should be the first thought as fatigue will be worse if it's poorly designed.

I agree 100% with your analysis of the design. It's back to the drawing board for the handle design.

[Action1]

What about a rail system or unit that is a complete frame where the pressure can be dialed in maybe mount it to a static frame?

RT Screen Designs
www.rtscreendesigns.com

Thank you for the input sir. This was an idea we considered. The frame would also have to lock on the underside of the pallet for the pressure to be accomplished. If not - the frame would simply lift up on it's hinging. Maybe...but it starts getting complicated and time consuming. Perhaps not all tools that work for autos are as appealing for manuals. maybe this is another justification for using an auto where a manual would work?

This is all all very good feedback and I thank all of you very much. Any more?

[Denis Kolar]

This would be much cheaper