Auto Coaters

[ericheartsu]

We bought the Uni-Kote by M&R. Once setup and aimed on the unit, it just makes life so much easier and consistent across the board. But yes, two troughs to clean up. Yes there is but I couldn't imagine it having it any other way.

you guys are in humble right? Can I come over and check it out?

[T Shirt Farmer]

After watching the video of the grunig coating machine I would still suggest the uni kote. The uni kote coats both sides at the same time so right there it's double the speed to coat a single screen. You also have to flip the screen on the grunig and looks like two hands required to operate the machine. With my uni kote I can load screens with one hand and press the start button with the other hand. It's very fast and efficient compared to what I see in that grunig video. I'm sure the grunig is a good machine but after watching the video I'm confident the uni kote will do the same amount of screens in less then half the time. That's huge to me

Danny

about how long does it take to clean the machine up when completed with coating?

[bimmridder]

We coat two screens at a time, thus four troughs to clean. Takes someone that cares (vs. someone just putting in their time) about five minutes to clean up.

[TCred]

How does the Grunig compare in price versus the Uni-Kote?

I can't comment on the M&R unit, but the Grunig 404 cost us 11539.60 CHF

[bulldog]

Auto coater is on our "buy soon" list.

now if somebody could come out with a good, quick and in-expensive screen auto-cleaning solution (notice I said all 3!)... I'd be in heaven.


way cheaper to automate than it is to add staff, especially with how much they're raising minimum wage.

This!

[alan802]

Since I haven't really seen anything from my perspective on the auto coater I feel like I should say why we won't be buying one any time soon.  Not that in the future it might become a good idea but right now, I put more emphasis on speed because I've got 3 guys, my printer, my screen tech and myself that can coat screens that are within microns of each other in thickness and consistency and we can coat 30 screens in less than 30 minutes.  I know you can do other things while coating screens if you have a setup like the M&R room and maybe some day we'll have something like that, but as things are constructed and run here, I know our screens are as good as they can get, coated automatically or manually.  Doing our volume with a skeleton crew and one auto, speed is of more concern in my mind, especially considering what we manage to achieve quality wise doing it manually.  Achieving a high quality stencil has never been much of a problem here and I've had no less than 6 or 7 screen techs that have done the job and maybe it has something to do with luck, or maybe it's because we coat screens a certain way and we don't deviate from that technique because it works so well.  Now reclaiming screens worth a damn is another story, and getting someone to show up every day without calling in sick once every 3 weeks, knowing that we don't need to underbase navy ink on a medium pink shirt, being appreciative when you receive a decent raise, etc...yeah we struggle in those areas. 

[kingscreen]

After talking with Kiwo this week I learned that the G-Coat 404 is no longer brought into the States in bulk.  So if you want one, you have to order 1.  From Switzerland.  Therefore, they're expensive (Although still cheaper than a Uni-Kote.  But they only do one side at a time).
The Simplex model is the next option from Kiwo/Grunig.  It can do both two screens at a time, both sides.  Price is about $5k more than what I was unofficially quoted for a Uni-Kote.  Much larger machine though and until we expand wouldn't be an option purely out of space restrictions.

[bimmridder]

King, the Simplex is what we have. Works great in our system.

[SteveS]

Yes. We're in Humble. Give me a call.

[slee4780]

We have had our Uni Kote for about a month or so and it seems we are putting down way to much emulsion.    How do you adjust it and what kind of stensil do you get on it.     Ours have ranged from so thick that the emulsion won't dry to having emulsion dripping of the screen.    When the guy from M&R set it up he seemed to be having trouble getting it right but he was also on a tight time schedule.    Could use a little help.   

[244]

We have had our Uni Kote for about a month or so and it seems we are putting down way to much emulsion.    How do you adjust it and what kind of stensil do you get on it.     Ours have ranged from so thick that the emulsion won't dry to having emulsion dripping of the screen.    When the guy from M&R set it up he seemed to be having trouble getting it right but he was also on a tight time schedule.    Could use a little help.

Where are you located? feel free to contact me and I will get you some help.

[DannyGruninger]

We have had our Uni Kote for about a month or so and it seems we are putting down way to much emulsion.    How do you adjust it and what kind of stensil do you get on it.     Ours have ranged from so thick that the emulsion won't dry to having emulsion dripping of the screen.    When the guy from M&R set it up he seemed to be having trouble getting it right but he was also on a tight time schedule.    Could use a little help.

What type of emulsion?
What type of frames?
What type of screen mesh(thread diameter as well)?
What are your current settings(speed, air pressure, sharp or round side of trough, etc)?
Do you have a eom gauge to test thickness or are you using another method?

We've made around 10k screens with our cts and this coater tested around 40 emulsions and I have not seen one that was too thick it wouldn't dry so something with your process or the machine is not right. I think with more info the guys successfully using our uni kotes can give you some suggestions that should get you within a good eom range.

[slee4780]

I'm sorry for the late response.   We made progress on our coater today.    Seems to be going in the right direction.   We sent 100% yet but we will get there.     

[ericheartsu]

sorry to drag this from the dead, but does any one have a Saati Coater?

Iss is around the corner for us, and we are either going with M&R or Saati.

[DannyGruninger]

sorry to drag this from the dead, but does any one have a Saati Coater?

Iss is around the corner for us, and we are either going with M&R or Saati.

Can't speak for the saati unit but I know we were one of the first with the uni kote and we've had absolutely no issues with ours...... I'll have to go see how many screens we have coated but I know we are into the 20,000+ with it. Coating 1 screen at a time I feel is better then doing the 2 at once for a shop your size. Like I said I cannot speak for the saati unit but if you went with the uni kote you would be coating perfect screens the day you get it. I have some recipes for PHU2 emulsion if your still using that.