What 'software' features do you consider indespensible on your press?

[jvanick]

I'm getting ready to build/code-up a retrofit PLC for my Javelin, and I'm wondering what features I should try to code into it.

Things I want for sure, and believe I've already figured out the code logic for:

job start/stop -- should be obvious but the press doesn't have it right now, LOL..
skip/misload foot switch - again, doesn't have it today...
sequence-able print order (aka 'revolver') mode...
ability to control extra solenoids for the chopper heads to be able to double stroke with the table up...

anything else I should try to figure out the logic for?

-- I may be interested in selling at least the code (and maybe the rest) as a retrofit kit for people with older presses... assuming we can figure out what solenoid does what and what the sequence of the machine is, and that the person installing the kit is willing to do some work to add solenoids, and air lines.

[sqslabs]

Double index, reverse index, nitrous oxide boost.

Edit: I'd definitely be interested in the retrofit kit if the price was reasonable.

[jvanick]

hmmm... I wonder how feasable it would be to do reverse index on a air operated press.... I suppose it theoretically would be possible with a well calibrated press... just keep the index cylinder 'pushed' forward during printing, and then 'pull' it back after the print stroke is done.  you'd only be able to do a single reverse tho, due to the shock pushing the table back after index...

would reverse index be helpful even if you could only do it a single time?

[sqslabs]

hmmm... I wonder how feasable it would be to do reverse index on a air operated press.... I suppose it theoretically would be possible with a well calibrated press... just keep the index cylinder 'pushed' forward during printing, and then 'pull' it back after the print stroke is done.  you'd only be able to do a single reverse tho, due to the shock pushing the table back after index...

would reverse index be helpful even if you could only do it a single time?

That's a good point. 

I think there are some benefits to reverse index, but they may not be important enough to put in the work on it.  The main one being in a revolver mode type setup with one standard (non-flashback) flash in which the machine could for instance print at head one, flash on head two, index back to head one, print and move forward again, saving a second trip around the press.  Might be easier to just get a flashback or two though. 

[TCT]

Sample mode is nice... When we have a shirt in the load position, we can put it in "sample mode" and it will run the print sequence in just that one shirt.