Author Topic: Just leveled my press.. Not bad.  (Read 4605 times)

Offline Gilligan

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Just leveled my press.. Not bad.
« on: October 04, 2014, 12:41:34 AM »
2.5 hours, with no real instructions... Just a rough basics of level base, head one, platens to head one then heads to platen.

Took a lot of figuring, but I came up with a few gimmicks to get it done.

After leveling head 1 with a level to the printing rails, I taped a nickel and a dime together with a bit of extra tape as a tag to slide it under the frames edge.  Clamped an old static with the edge of the pallet sticking out on one side and started leveling the pallet to the nickel dime combo and sliding the frame back and forth and adjusting.

Then just rinse and repeat for all 8 pallets, probably the most pain in the ass part just because having to go back and forth under the pallets.  After that move the "rig" to the next head with a pallet and level that head to the pallet, much more comfortable as I could stay standing.  Blazed through that pretty quickly, now I have a pretty sweet setup... I just hope I got the off contact right!


Offline Rockers

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Re: Just leveled my press.. Not bad.
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2014, 03:20:20 AM »
2.5 hours, with no real instructions... Just a rough basics of level base, head one, platens to head one then heads to platen.

Took a lot of figuring, but I came up with a few gimmicks to get it done.

After leveling head 1 with a level to the printing rails, I taped a nickel and a dime together with a bit of extra tape as a tag to slide it under the frames edge.  Clamped an old static with the edge of the pallet sticking out on one side and started leveling the pallet to the nickel dime combo and sliding the frame back and forth and adjusting.

Then just rinse and repeat for all 8 pallets, probably the most pain in the ass part just because having to go back and forth under the pallets.  After that move the "rig" to the next head with a pallet and level that head to the pallet, much more comfortable as I could stay standing.  Blazed through that pretty quickly, now I have a pretty sweet setup... I just hope I got the off contact right!
You got any photos of that procedure?

Offline Binkspot

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Re: Just leveled my press.. Not bad.
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2014, 05:35:03 AM »
It's a new press that was just installed why are you tinkering with it!!!?

I'm a bit confused whit what you did but please tell me you didn't level the pallets to the screen holders.

Offline GraphicDisorder

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Re: Just leveled my press.. Not bad.
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2014, 06:56:53 AM »
Did workhorse not level this thing?  Unless you have issues there is no way you need to be leveling it again this quick.
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Offline Gilligan

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Re: Just leveled my press.. Not bad.
« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2014, 10:01:03 AM »
The tech was in town when the gear arrived and ISS was about to kick off, I could have them quickly install it the next two days or wait till after ISS.

We went with the quick install option, they would have come back out if we wanted. But I wanted to learn how to do it myself.  Figured if I got in over my head I could then call in that return visit. :)

Brian, hard to describe as it was hard to vision when told to me... But I leveled the platens to head 1 then leveled the other heads to the leveled platens.  Almost texted you to double check that process but went for it half blind. ;) Did I screw it up?  I didn't check everything after since it was late and I wanted to head home.

Rockers, I could get pictures after, but I'm sure someone has a MUCH more official way of doing it than my way!

Offline Binkspot

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Re: Just leveled my press.. Not bad.
« Reply #5 on: October 04, 2014, 11:58:03 AM »
I still don't understand what you did but I'm slow. If the tech set the machine up correctly the only thing to check/adjust the pallets and screen holders every now and then

From scratch I level the base, level and center the print heads, set pallet arms, level pallets, set screen holders and lastly check/set regerstration. Then do a test print with at least 3 colors.

If your just setting pallets I use the flood bar. Level the back of pallet No.1 left/right with a level. Bring that pallet under head one, put a flood bar in and adjust using choppers to be about the thickness of a business card off the back edge of the pallet. Bring the flood at to the front and adjust to match the back. Now your set just bring every pallet under that flood bar and adjust so they are all the same. If you mess with the pallets you then have to set all the screen holders to match the first pallet.

Offline Gilligan

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Re: Just leveled my press.. Not bad.
« Reply #6 on: October 04, 2014, 12:39:17 PM »
Yeah, I should have used the flood bar... I'll have to go over it again.

Offline jsheridan

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Re: Just leveled my press.. Not bad.
« Reply #7 on: October 04, 2014, 01:57:32 PM »
Yeah, I should have used the flood bar... I'll have to go over it again.

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Offline Gilligan

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Re: Just leveled my press.. Not bad.
« Reply #8 on: October 04, 2014, 02:38:55 PM »
Have to start somewhere!

Offline ScreenPrinter123

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Re: Just leveled my press.. Not bad.
« Reply #9 on: October 05, 2014, 03:16:50 PM »
Someone who shall remain nameless actually has a decent set of YouTube videos that take you through the process

Offline Gilligan

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Re: Just leveled my press.. Not bad.
« Reply #10 on: October 05, 2014, 03:24:31 PM »
I watched them, if nothing else, he has given that to the screen printing community.

Offline Rockers

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Re: Just leveled my press.. Not bad.
« Reply #11 on: October 05, 2014, 05:14:51 PM »
I watched them, if nothing else, he has given that to the screen printing community.
You mind sending me a PM with the links to those videos please.

Offline kingscreen

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Re: Just leveled my press.. Not bad.
« Reply #12 on: October 05, 2014, 05:28:34 PM »
I watched them, if nothing else, he has given that to the screen printing community.
You mind sending me a PM with the links to those videos please.

Second this ^^
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Offline gtmfg

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Re: Just leveled my press.. Not bad.
« Reply #13 on: October 05, 2014, 05:55:28 PM »
I wouldn't mind taking a peek also :)

Offline Gilligan

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Re: Just leveled my press.. Not bad.
« Reply #14 on: October 05, 2014, 06:08:53 PM »
Swear you guys have never used youtube before. ;)