High production ?

[Logoman]

What auto is considered an entry level press and what is a high production. What makes the difference?

[TCT]

Are you asking what is the particular model name per brand?  Or what are the characteristics of a entry level press?

[Logoman]

Characteristic of a high production press and the charactistics of an entry level press

[GraphicDisorder]

Generally entry level autos are air driven machines.  This cuts down on costs but also cuts down on how easy they are to control certain aspects of the machine.  These autos are also generally slower than higher end autos but are still much faster than Manual printing.  Several manufactures offer a entry level auto of some kind.  Higher end autos are often Servo driven in index and in print stroke as well as other features not found on lower end or entry level machines. 

Most all autos can print fast, higher end stuff can generally print faster than a human can keep up with for sustained periods. 

Quality of autos vary.  Some build great machines but don't support it with parts and service.  Some build lower end machines and support it well.  A limited number of manufactures support and build great machines. 

[TCT]

I would say that usually when the print heads and indexers step up to servo driven that would be one characteristic. Another would be having more than 6 colors in my opinion I would say at least 10. Inprint area as well. 
I would think the biggest one would be the step up to servo heads and indexer though.

[TCT]

Sorry Brandt,  I kinda just repeated you!  Guess that's what happens when I'm posting on my phone(slowly) during a car ride!

[TCT]

I had thought more about this today, I think the most crucial thing for "high production" is you or your staff. You could have a MHM 4000 and if you have someone that knows nothing about proper mesh counts, inks and technique, your high production machine just turned into a "level 2/intermediate" or even a "entry level" production press. The press is just a tool, the core of the speed/production comes from the people setting it up and running it. When we stepped up to our new press(which I would consider a "high production" press) it was not for speed or production. I wanted to take on more complex and unique jobs.
You can run a "entry level" press at 62-68dz./hr. if it is the right print, everything goes right, and you have the right STAFF. It is rare we run our new press any faster than that, we have but it is rare. If I wanted us to stay with 1-3 color jobs all day every day I could of saved a boat load of cash and just bought a all air 6 color and let the guys run it as fast as they can. Heck, if you run a lot of DC jobs, a all air press may do the job just fine! I know Tony had his favorite all air press(I think it was a Gauntlet 1)  that was a cash cow, if it was set up and ran properly.
Another thought would be a dryer to keep up with high production, but that would be a whole different thread! Plus I think I have carried on enough here :)

[Gilligan]

Me thinks this guy ^^ has been to our shop and seen how we run things!  Ch3 vs javelin would be just about the same for us right no. Lol

[bimmridder]

A press is only PART of the system. It all has to be there

[tonypep]

"High Production" can mean different things to many people. Yes our 6/8 GTS is old but on some days will generate the most $ per production line. It doesn't even have a flash.
Working on something uber secret but will be ultra cool based on initial market reaction that can be produced on this press. The small diameter allows in to index as fast as most servos and truly if I sped it up the loader could not keep up.

[GraphicDisorder]

A press is only PART of the system. It all has to be there

Totally agree. 

[3Deep]

You guys all have hit the nail on the head, everything has to fit to get high production..if the press and dryer don't match up your production drops.

D