Film Registration Light Boxes

[SteveS]

I know this is something that most people would not spend money on rather than build it themselves but over the last 8 years, we've used a trusty Gagne Porta-Trace Light box model 2436. It's 24" wide and 36" long and has been perfect for using with our M&R Tri-Loc registration system. It's been worth the $300 that it originally cost us. The M&R placement transparency fits perfect on top.



Lately, we've lost a couple of bulbs to age. They used a weird color correcting fluorescent bulb from Hitachi referred to as a 18Watt F20T9/EX-N Hi-LumicN. Trying to find that 24" bulb has not been fruitful.

The new thing going seems to be a nice little LED pad. It's thinner and the light is more even across the table. That's because of the LED nature of the table and not having 6 24" bulbs in it.

I'm just kind of curious what others are using for preregistration of their film in the cases where they are using a registration system.

Maybe this would be a good thread to start a discussion.

[screenxpress]

You guys are probably tired of me posting this. 

Platen has grid lines and the art goes on the grid, using double sided tape to attach to screen.

Bonus is the same 3 pin jig setup provides screen lineup on the press reducing set up time.

[steve1coelho]

Did you make that jig?

[sqslabs]

I use the Porta-Trace as well, but in the 18x24 size.  Picked it up used off Craigslist recently at a nice discount.  Surprising to hear about the bulbs, I'll keep my fingers crossed that ours hold up. 

It works great for our Newman setup at the moment, but I'm hoping to incorporate it into a carrier sheet-less upgrade in the near future.  The 18x24 size fits a 23x31 screen over it nicely and should do the trick.

[screenxpress]

Did you make that jig?

Yes.  I've made many platens (before I realized too much flash heat was warping them) out of MDF (home depot) and skin top and bottom with Formica (contact cement for glue).  The only other thing needed is wife's rolling pin to press out the air bubbles and a router with a ball bearing trim blade to trim the edges.   

I made the registration platen to be just about 1/2 inch narrower than the Newmans so the right side tube can bump against the stop without falling off the platen.

I printed a blank film master with every registration possible and taped it to the platen.  All art matches to one of the vertical, horizontal, or pocket registrations making it easy to line up on the master.  I barely tape just 2 edges of art films down and use double sided tape on top to press down on the screen to catch the film and lift so everything stays in right spot.

Like I said, the real bonus was being able to slide the exposed screens back into each head using the same 3 points to pre-register the screens to print.  Rarely have to make much of an adjustment.

PM me if you want more info.

[SteveS]

Got a quote today from Gagne Porta - Trace for a 24x36 LED light pad for about $650.00. Seems extravagant but wow would it be nice.

[Inkworks]

Mines FPU frame that sits on the light table.