Anatol Volt

[3Deep]

Got an email this morning with a vid of the new Anatol Volt an all electric press, looks pretty nice, the only electric press I've seem run in person was Brown.  What do you guys and gals think about an all electric press and have owned or run one Pros and Cons, I think you can find the Volt on youtube if you like to take a look.

Darryl

[Denis Kolar]

it looks good to me.
I would maybe get it for my home based shop because there is no noise associated with a compressor, but I do not think it will fit in the available area.
Also, I do not think that I will be able to take down in a basement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFhhkgugqDI

[sweetts]

I like it a bunch and is perfect for home printers, if this contracting thing doesn't work out it may be the way to go.


RT Screen Designs

[IntegrityShirts]

Only thing I don't like is the squeeze pressure is only adjustable via the knobs/physical stops so there's no accurate way to gauge down force. I only use air pressure for squeegee and have the knobs turned all the way out so they aren't used.

If your pallets are always perfectly level with each other the the Knob stops are OK.

How much do they cost?

[Nation03]

I like the idea of them. I forgot the exact price, but they are pretty heavy. Considering what you are paying, it upsets me that all electric presses only offer manual knobs to lock the screen in place. I think at the very least they should come with an option to accept a pancake compressor so you can add airlocks to the press.

[Binkspot]

I looked the press over in Long Beach and IMO there is way to much going on with all the linkage, bearings, pins, etc for the chopper system. To much stuff to bend, break, ware out, maintain.

I'm with Integrity on the choppers using pressure not mechanical stops.
 
Unless I looked at it wrong every time the off contact is adjusted the choppers would all need to be adjusted. There is also the fact all the choppers are always working.

I know it would add cost to the press but there is no reason the choppers and screen clamps could not be worked independently using electrical mechanical components. This would also allow the operator to print using pressure not the stops and turn heads off not being used.
   
I'm sure it fits the needs of some printers.

[jvanick]

Something like this looks like it has a LOT of custom parts, that aren't off the shelf... and with all the extra mechanicals that have to be tuned perfectly to work together, it could be a nightmare to keep running long term (especially when the warranty runs out)

at least with workhorse/M&R/etc, if something fails, you can likely get it at Grainger or some other industrial supply place and make it work...

Remember: the extra cost you pay for reliability and support is probably less than a few days of lost production.

[jvanick]

Also noticed on their website for it, that it's only available in 3phase.. no single phase option at this time... of course a single-phase version of something that's already drawing 17amps at 220v is going to end up in the 40-50amp 220 range... so might not really be a good option for a lot of home printers anyways.

[cclaud3]

I have spoken with an anatol rep for several months about the volt. He said they are built on the same chassis as the titan and horizon. The difference is between the 2 standard frame sizes which would dictate the chassis size. I have been looking at the 8/10 version which uses the horizon base and 23x31 frames. I was concerned about the all head chopping as it's apparent in the 2 grainy show videos (now 3 videos including the pro-looking footage). He said that was a prototype and rushed it together for the show. The later/current version now offers individual head powering on/off. I have requested numerous times for him to take a 10-30 sec video clip of this happening and can't get it. He swears it now does but a quick video is difficult to do? For about a 50k machine cost with flash & additional pallets would it be too much to do this? I also asked for a manual to see what kind of maintenance is involved with these new parts on the heads. Said there is only a digital manual in the head of the press's control unit and now copy he can let me see.

It appears to have a very similar chopper actuation as the brown, except it uses individual motors to raise the squeegees. Same pivoting bar setup that links the squeegee & flood bar assemblies. The brown relies on a few more linkages tied to a roller skate wheel that is raised when the up/down motor of the press moves. The anatol looks very nice and seems like a polished version of the brown. As info is being released it seems that they are offering numerous configurations of it...guess it makes it easier as the base it supposed to be the same as existing presses.

It's definitely an impressive setup, just wondering the longevity of the parts as they are new to the market?

BTW, they do offer them in single phase in at least the volt-s & volt-m configurations (including the 8/10 I inquired about). 33 amps @ 208. Not sure of the maximum pallet & head number configurations.

[TCT]

I was concerned about the all head chopping as it's apparent in the 2 grainy show videos (now 3 videos including the pro-looking footage).


He said that was a prototype and rushed it together for the show.


 I have requested numerous times for him to take a 10-30 sec video clip of this happening and can't get it. He swears it now does but a quick video is difficult to do? For about a 50k machine cost with flash & additional pallets would it be too much to do this? I also asked for a manual to see what kind of maintenance is involved with these new parts on the heads. Said there is only a digital manual in the head of the press's control unit and now copy he can let me see.

I URGE you to please read these statements you have made and really think about them. This company has not had the best reputation(claims it is getting better) but if you are feeling uneasy or not getting service/your questions answered now, imagine what that could be like if you got the machine and needed something.... I'm sorry, but only having the manual on the press and not being able to release it to you, sounds like the guy is either lazy or full of B.S.

IMO if you are considering a 8/10, a all electric press seems almost novelty. Unless you are printing next to a library I don't understand the appeal of a all electric unit. Again, just my opinion.

[Parker 1]

Do more research, before you pull the trigger on this press, or any press. 

Chris

[cclaud3]

Absolutely have done research. At first it looked interesting. Obviously sales rep has been inconsistent. Not buying it... who would with the responses I got? Just forwarding info to those who may be interested (single phase, all heads chopping).

[hoogie]

for there rep. I would look somewhere else, 50K range your into a sabre or a little more M&R sporty 10/12 just my two cents worth...

[244]

for there rep. I would look somewhere else, 50K range your into a sabre or a little more M&R sporty 10/12 just my two cents worth...

12/10 Sportsman with flash is the same price basically as their unit. Just a FYI.

[3Deep]

Being maybe the only Anatol user on the site here , I know the company gets a bad knock with crummy salesmen, but there products have been good for me and service.  Just hard to believe I'm the only one that has had good things to say about them or I just don't know what I'm talking about and have the worse press in the world and don't know it.   Even though I like Anatol I too really don't see a need for an all electric press and all heads chopping is something I've heard happening on some M&R presses as well, not cool.  I think I got blessed to get a good sale rep back when I got my press from Anatol and the installer was great as well that might have made a big difference in how I feel about the company today and they still help me to this day if I need anything ( Rich at M&R has help me in the pass also) so I can't really complain, but Anatol do need to get on these forums and defend there products with confidence and assure people they stand behind and on top of there products.

Darryl