MHM FPU

[jvanick]

with a bit of welding and ingenuity, you could pretty easily mount some dial indicators on the screen holders that would show you where you're at.

the inital setup would be like:

run the micros out all the way, zero them. run them all the way back, split the difference, run them back to the middle, and zero the dial indicator...

of course, is there really a point to that with a registration unit?  Isn't the whole point of the registration unit to just let the screens 'float' in the hangers and lock them down while the reg unit is holding the screen in position?

-J

[TCT]

So the MHM FPU is not only designed for the MHM?, sorry I never seen one in use before. Would it be advantageous to have one if you dont run an MHM?

I am actually like 90% of the way done modifying a MHM FPU to work with our anatol. After we got the S.Roque and used their PRU(Same thing as a FPU, why can't we all get along!?) it was over. Setting up jobs and lining them up was a thing of the past. A new guy can now burn screens and I don't have to worry about it.  Not that our anatol could even handle a sim process job or even a 3-4 color job(registration wise), but without a PRU on the anatol all we do is 1 or 2 color jobs.

Any reg system that makes you do extra work like carrier sheets and whatnot I can see being tossed aside.

I can see that being a reason for sure.

[Printficient]

I wonder if someone could develop a digital gauge?

The "Auto Reg" function on the 4000's does this.  Re zeros and will even move all the frames to a reference point of 1 frame.  This technology came out in 1992 on the S2000.  Once again a quantum leap over the competition of the time.  Also on the S2000......belt drive and heads moving up and down not the table.  In fairness that last feature was on the first MHM called the SA.

[Prosperi-Tees]

Does MHM and SRoque share the same system for film positioning and screen loading?

[TCT]

Does MHM and SRoque share the same system for film positioning and screen loading?

Um, not exactly. But kind of.... Their "default" systems are different, but I know if you specify S.Roque will make your press with MHM heads. That is it will work with the MHM screens and MHM FPU. I would imagine MHM would do the same thing, I have just never asked them.

Side note- anyone know what a MHM 4000AC goes for? When I was getting quotes the sales guys somewhat politely told that wasn't the machine for me. I don't doubt he was right but I still wonder what one of those puppies goes for.

[Printficient]

MHM 4000 Auto Reg start at about 160K

[TCT]

Thanks. I kinda figured a 10/12, FPU, delivery, install and a nice thank you would of ran a wink over $200k. Awesome machine though!

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Printficient]

Thanks. I kinda figured a 10/12, FPU, delivery, install and a nice thank you would of ran a wink over $200k. Awesome machine though!

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Actually the 160K  is for a 14/16

[TCT]

Hey if anyone wants to take on/share/help with my FPU for anatol and I imagine it would work with a M&R(just didn't have one of their clamps) feel free to contact me! Here is a pic of the main adjustment that I made. Then it was just modifying a used MHM FPU I picked up. Like I said I'm maybe 90% of the way there, but things just got kicked back into overdrive here. Maybe I'll have more time next year!

[alan802]

I've got some ideas on making a system that uses the newman pin lock pallet arms with the MHM style of taping film to the screen.  I want to do the same thing I did with the triloc but do it with the pin lock and get rid of the carrier sheets.  I just need to fabricate something that will perfectly replicate the pallet arm pins at the FPU.  Then I'd have a pallet on the press with the swing out arms and won't have to load a pallet each time we do a setup.  I have crude ideas on how to do this but after years of tinkering with this type of thing, sometimes the detail behind the parts makes all the difference in whether it works or not.  That's why I never got the results I wanted until I bought a triloc that had precisely made parts that were very closely replicated between the pallet jig and FPU.  When doing a regi system, if it doesn't work significantly better/more accurate and faster than lining a job up manually then it's for nothing.  If I only had a machine shop back there or knew anything about fabricating small metal parts I'd have something great.

[vwyob]

Ok thanks a ton for all of the info. Great site you have. To me, as a newcomer, its invaluable, and the mass of experience provides me with the weight I need to put ideas forward to the guys here.
I have been playing around with our own FPU template in addition to the one kindly posted. It may not suit all but its flexible for me because I am used to working in layers. There is a layer (illustrator) for Artwork at the top. Drag and drop the artwork on this layer. Make sure artwork is grouped then click  the 'centre align' button (make sure alignment to art board is checked). Cross hair 6 is where we place the head of our artwork for run of the mill centre chest prints and I just nudge it down to align with this. All cross hairs are on separate layers and can be clicked on and off. So, once artwork is in place I just click off unused layers/crosses. I have added a rough t-shirt visual and a visual for the inside of the frames we use here (you can edit sizes to suit). Also there is a right chest print layer. When using the template I have grid on (cmd/ctrl ' ) I hope this makes sense.
I realise it may not be up to scratch for some of you guys, I just wanted to give something back...hey, who knows, if one person finds it useful its all good

Any errors please give me a heads up.

Thanks again for all of the help/info

Andy

Quick edit: If you open and only see the one channel for cross hairs its because they are grouped. Click the arrow and it will open up for individual on/off layers. ( I realise most of you guys will know this- My apologies )

[ZooCity]

Nice poster in the background there TCT. 

I just need to fabricate something that will perfectly replicate the pallet arm pins at the FPU

Al, um, maybe like the pin bar?   Make a little hinge and clamp so it swings down into the pins and locks the frame in place then register film to lasers or whatever shooting up from the squeegee side of the screen, like the MHM. 

The MHM/sRoque way is clearly superior but I don't mind the carrier sheets as you can separate out registering the films from shooting them and you give the art person the opportunity to examine each film better before sending to screen.  I know this could be done on a monitor instead but a physical checkpoint is always good.

[TCT]

Nice poster in the background there TCT. 

Ya man! I hung that up! It is pretty sweet, but I wouldn't expect less from you

To the extreme right is art on a old wood frame. I used to have a local artist use old wood screens as a canvas and make art for me. Kinda funny and a true explanation of what goes on in my head, I did not even realize any of that stuff in the background when I posted the pic!

[alan802]

Nice poster in the background there TCT. 

I just need to fabricate something that will perfectly replicate the pallet arm pins at the FPU

Al, um, maybe like the pin bar?   Make a little hinge and clamp so it swings down into the pins and locks the frame in place then register film to lasers or whatever shooting up from the squeegee side of the screen, like the MHM. 

The MHM/sRoque way is clearly superior but I don't mind the carrier sheets as you can separate out registering the films from shooting them and you give the art person the opportunity to examine each film better before sending to screen.  I know this could be done on a monitor instead but a physical checkpoint is always good.

There lies my main problem, I only have the swingout arms to the system.  Everything else has been lost or stolen or maybe it never made it from the old shop that sold us all that stuff.  I remember getting a price on the pin bar and it was ridiculous from what I remember.  Maybe it was the pin bar and grid board...can't remember but I didn't buy it for a reason.  A hinged bar with pins was exactly what I was thinking, and I wasn't going to use the pin adapters that newman sells because they are too pricey, I was going to just drill holes in the corners.  I would use a jig for a guide so that all the screens had the holes in the same spot then attach my arms on the pallet so they would be in perfect position to lock the screen in place.

[Rockers]

I've got some ideas on making a system that uses the newman pin lock pallet arms with the MHM style of taping film to the screen.  I want to do the same thing I did with the triloc but do it with the pin lock and get rid of the carrier sheets.  I just need to fabricate something that will perfectly replicate the pallet arm pins at the FPU.  Then I'd have a pallet on the press with the swing out arms and won't have to load a pallet each time we do a setup.  I have crude ideas on how to do this but after years of tinkering with this type of thing, sometimes the detail behind the parts makes all the difference in whether it works or not.  That's why I never got the results I wanted until I bought a triloc that had precisely made parts that were very closely replicated between the pallet jig and FPU.  When doing a regi system, if it doesn't work significantly better/more accurate and faster than lining a job up manually then it's for nothing.  If I only had a machine shop back there or knew anything about fabricating small metal parts I'd have something great.

Fabricating small parts laser cut for example is kind of cheap these days and should be fairly easy to come by. At least here at the other side of the Pacific I can easily get metal parts laser cut to my very own specifications without breaking the bank.There are so many small shops here with high end equipment it`s crazy. As a matter of fact we will start working on our on FPU very soon with the aim of selling it at a low price. Bt the way Barnes offered me his for $3000 but I kindly refused.