screen printing > Newbie
Tips and tricks for new auto user
ZooCity:
Nothing to offer about printing with an auto but, while I've seen pics of shops running those shorty Vastex dryers with an auto, I don't see how in god's name they do it without undercuring shirts. We have an EC-I, 30" wide and it can't keep up with me, printing solo, on the manual, it's not even close.
Next to color capacity I'd wager the dryer is the next bottleneck you'll hit, or maybe sooner. Run some gas up in there and you'll still have the amps you need on the panel. Unless you have 3 phase in a shop space, I don't see big electric dryers being very attractive. Then again, we have one going into ours but we have the 3 phase to handle it.
Northland, your comments intrigue me. My assumption has been that we need no less than a 10/12 due to the nature of our work but, then again a 7/8 could get us to scrill to get that big 'ol press. Has this worked for you running 5 colors? It just seems so limiting to me. But then again, I'll bet a servo machine that small indexes lickety split so you could probably just revolve it with one flash or one of those "color saver" units anatol makes and leave 4/5 open color heads. I'd imagine some jobs are just really slow on it?
Great thread by the way, I'm getting more dug in and ready to get an auto every day I print until 2am or later. Speaking of, off to do it again...
Prosperi-Tees:
--- Quote from: garagewear on July 06, 2011, 12:41:34 PM ---You can come in on a new IR 2 stage 7HP 80 gal for under $2000. Check Northern Tool. They even have free shipping. You can pickup a used chiller for around $500.
Bill
--- End quote ---
Hey Bill you are right but what I am wrestling with is having the nice quiet rotary screw compressor for 2K. Then again the press is going to make alot of noise anyway being all air so I may be able to save on amps with a 5hp 2 stage, it will be a little low on CFM (about 17-18) where the rotary screw is (21). The details make this tough. But buying new you get the warranty advantage.
Prosperi-Tees:
--- Quote from: ZooCity on July 06, 2011, 12:45:01 PM ---Nothing to offer about printing with an auto but, while I've seen pics of shops running those shorty Vastex dryers with an auto, I don't see how in god's name they do it without undercuring shirts. We have an EC-I, 30" wide and it can't keep up with me, printing solo, on the manual, it's not even close.
Next to color capacity I'd wager the dryer is the next bottleneck you'll hit, or maybe sooner. Run some gas up in there and you'll still have the amps you need on the panel. Unless you have 3 phase in a shop space, I don't see big electric dryers being very attractive. Then again, we have one going into ours but we have the 3 phase to handle it.
Northland, your comments intrigue me. My assumption has been that we need no less than a 10/12 due to the nature of our work but, then again a 7/8 could get us to scrill to get that big 'ol press. Has this worked for you running 5 colors? It just seems so limiting to me. But then again, I'll bet a servo machine that small indexes lickety split so you could probably just revolve it with one flash or one of those "color saver" units anatol makes and leave 4/5 open color heads. I'd imagine some jobs are just really slow on it?
Great thread by the way, I'm getting more dug in and ready to get an auto every day I print until 2am or later. Speaking of, off to do it again...
--- End quote ---
My thought was with my current dryer capable of 150 shirts an hour even though they claim 200 I figure if I could double the belt width I could double my capacity to at least 300 an hour. I cant run gas it is a leased space without a uncooperative landlord.
Frog:
--- Quote from: Prosperi-Tees on July 06, 2011, 09:36:45 PM ---
My thought was with my current dryer capable of 150 shirts an hour even though they claim 200 I figure if I could double the belt width I could double my capacity to at least 300 an hour. I cant run gas it is a leased space without a uncooperative landlord.
--- End quote ---
I also was a little shocked at the dryer configuration for an auto. That's a small large dryer, or is it a large small dryer?
I don't think that you will be able to double the listed capacity. That rate is assuming that their are two machines, with two un-loaders placing the shirts as if they each had their own dedicated belt.
But, I thought that you were attracted to the modular nature of this dryer, and merely thought that your first few thousand shirts may be run at less than optimum speed, while your earning while learning and can then expand it.
But then you may start running into your supply issue again.
You may need some more service in the shop.
Prosperi-Tees:
--- Quote from: Frog on July 06, 2011, 09:52:35 PM ---
--- Quote from: Prosperi-Tees on July 06, 2011, 09:36:45 PM ---
My thought was with my current dryer capable of 150 shirts an hour even though they claim 200 I figure if I could double the belt width I could double my capacity to at least 300 an hour. I cant run gas it is a leased space without a uncooperative landlord.
--- End quote ---
I also was a little shocked at the dryer configuration for an auto. That's a small large dryer, or is it a large small dryer?
I don't think that you will be able to double the listed capacity. That rate is assuming that their are two machines, with two un-loaders placing the shirts as if they each had their own dedicated belt.
But, I thought that you were attracted to the modular nature of this dryer, and merely thought that your first few thousand shirts may be run at less than optimum speed, while your earning while learning and can then expand it.
But then you may start running into your supply issue again.
You may need some more service in the shop.
--- End quote ---
My thinking is I am can cure 150 shirts at 4000 watts 1 panel (22 amps) with a 24" belt. The Vastex ECI 54" is 7000 watts 2 panel (30 amps) with a 54" belt. It would seem you could at least almost double the output of the 24" belt. And you are right I need more space and more electrical. There is a shop thats open about 50 yards from my current shop that I will look into when my lease is up. A screen print shop used to be there and they had autos and big dryers so its an ideal space. My landlord wont let me out of my lease early so that part sucks.
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