"He who marches out of step hears another drum." ~ Ken Kesey
Quote from: DannyGruninger on October 07, 2014, 04:17:08 PMAnd for the record the shirt we won 1st with at impressions....... and the shirt we won with back in 04 or 05 was from films off an Oyo TechstylerCTS machines don't win awards
And for the record the shirt we won 1st with at impressions.......
Yep I know I am probably one of the last persons on here you would think would go CTS.Heres how it is playing out. It is the owner not me that got interested in the tech. He really likes it and since we had an amazing year so far the cash is their to buy. He understands it is not an ROI that will happen in one year but looks at it as more of a future investment and the ability to remove all the steps between art and screen. I am certainly excited for it since it will make my job easier and hopefully improve printing quality.As with anything he expects to know all the available units out there and their pricing, what is included and what isn't, who offers the best warranty, tech installation pricing included or not etc etc.We have it narrowed down to three units. The Douthitt CTS, the Spyder, and the M&R CTS ST. I actually think the Spyder is crossed off the list. Douthitt is wax based and is a very proven application, I have so far talked to three owners that have great reviews of wax. Next week we are heading to a shop in state that has been using the Douthitt for quite a while. The M&R is an Epson engine. A couple people I know from here have complaints about the ink and issues with its reaction with the emulsion, something about soaking in. The best route is to go with the STE of course and not have that issue. I guess? The Douthitt is rough quoted at $57K full install included. This system does not expose so we would keep our MSP3140.The M&R CTS single head is $49K and I do not know if this includes install or not. This unit does not expose but I am concerned with some of the complaints I have heard about the ink.We like the sound of the STE but for another $12K wow! Not sure where that value is at, the STE is exactly the same machine except it has an LED light bar installed. If the machine was similar to the Douthitt then it would be a no brainer. As it is we already have a basically new $7K MSP3140. As said we will be checking out a Douthitt in action next week, hopefully we can find a close location that has an M&R unit we can check out Rich any ideas?
I've been printing our halftones at 1440x1440 bi-directional. I changed some settings in the rip on channels used and dot size for the "epson". Dirkdiggler prints 720x720 bidirectional halftones with his "epson" based I-image and his work is pretty dam flawless. He's using Kiwo Discharge emulsion. I may try that. We use Chromablue for our plastisol.
Back to this topic after Dan has apparently butt dialed the forum. A whole lot of info in this thread and a lot of clearing up on some confusion. The thing i noticed is with M&R's unit things have changed fast with next gen machines. The Douthitt is basically the same machine for several years. I am really glad to hear that ink sitting on the screen is a non issue, it would be very important for me since I would prefer to be able to print screens and store them till my guy does the exposing. Just like I make films, I do it through out the day as it is and want to keep it that way.A lot has been talked about concerning speed, its an important factor for some but not for us. We do not run near the amount of screens as many shops here so timing is not a huge importance, the time saved already cutting out film and quicker exposure is already a major benefit.From what i understand the STE with the light bar is sufficient for pure photopolymer emulsions but if we wanted to do dual cures it may slow down the process to much to be a benefit, and I do want to be able to use dual cures more. As it is with our 1100K its impractical to use dual cures. Take out the glass it might be practical. So we would probably not entertain the STE but stick with the ST.My plan is to fabricate a frame for the glass with heavy duty hinges on the back so I can lift up the glass and brace. If the time comes we need to use film I can simply lower the glass in place just like the vacuum blanket. I still will sort out the most important films to keep and continue to use till they are worn out, no need to waste good films on oft repeated jobs. Another thought is the price to replace heads between wax and ink. I know the wax heads are very expensive, what is the comparison to ink jet heads?Rich we would very much appreciate any help in finding a close by I-image we can see in person, I am sure there must be one some where around here.
The point is the m&r is the fastest CTS by a long shot and you can still print high quality at that speed. Screens will be done and finished with an ste where that wax machine will still be printing screens.
Quote from: DannyGruninger on October 07, 2014, 05:29:20 PMThe point is the m&r is the fastest CTS by a long shot and you can still print high quality at that speed. Screens will be done and finished with an ste where that wax machine will still be printing screens. I don't disagree, however their machine can't handle our 28x38 screens with MHM buttons on them... so that leaves us that don't swallow the blue pill to find other means and douthitt was more than willing to customize their machines for us.
We actually make a machine that handles up to 43" long screens which easily handles the MHM frame with attachments. Just a FYI.
Quote from: 244 on October 09, 2014, 12:13:46 PM We actually make a machine that handles up to 43" long screens which easily handles the MHM frame with attachments. Just a FYI.Is that the one that's at an angle.. It was at ISS long beach 2 yrs ago maybe.. If that's the one, i remember that thing was huge and will take up a large part of my screen room. Print times the same and option for LED bar? Douthitt runs vertical and has a very small footprint. Why do you guys run horizontal while others go vertical
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Topic: Possibly going CTS (Read 10389 times)
