I hope you dont mind but I am going to spend the next few weeks dialling in and improving my white ink on a black t-shirts, and I thought I would post my results here as both a record that I can refer back to and maybe it will help somebody out.
First test is to get my emulsion over mesh set by adjusting my coating style.
Then dial in the exposure, test smart mesh vs T mesh, then onto static vs Newman roller frames and adjusting tension, then finally onto Ink squeegee choice ect.
Testing EOM on Screens
Equipment Used-
MHM X Type Plus 12 station, 10 Colour
2x Quartz Flash
Ryonet 110 White Standard Mesh screens
Manual Coating using Standard sharp edge, round edge coating trough-
http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss181/ghettotige/Screen%20Printing%20Setups/IMG_1407.jpgEmulsion Used- CCI Prochem TX Disharge-http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss181/ghettotige/Screen%20Printing%20Setups/IMG_1406.jpg
Measuring Device-
CM8802 Coating Thickness Gauge.
http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss181/ghettotige/Screen%20Printing%20Setups/IMG_1405.jpgSeally TA091 Paint thickness Tester.-http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss181/ghettotige/Screen%20Printing%20Setups/IMG_1404.jpg
So finally got around to purchasing a tool for measuring my EOM, so I thought I would have a play while its quite.
First test is to get several screens together, in this case I am testing New Static Frames from ryonet, mostly 110 and a couple of 156 mesh.
Up until now I have coated with the sharp side of the coater using a 1 stroke substrate side, flip screen one coat squeegee side, flip screen and repeat giving me 2+2 in total. I think I have been struggling with LOW EOM with this method so now I am going to test that.
Several different coating methods used-all 110 mesh
Screen 1, Glisten method Sharp edge of Trough- took 5 coats substrate side to get the shine and then 2 coats squeegee side.
Screen 2, Glisten method Round edge of squeegee- took 2 coats to get the shine and then 2 coats on the squeegee side.
Screen 3, Original method sharp side, 1+1+1+1 ending on the squeegee side
Screen 4, As above but with 2 face coats added once dry using the sharp side.
Screen 5, As above but with the rounded edge of the coater
Screen 6, Original method 1+1+1+1 but with the rounded edge
First Thing I need to know is what my EOM is, Took me a few minutes to get my head around how to use the thickness gauge but I think I have it, but correct me if I am wrong..The guage came with 2 metal disks, remove the protective coat from those.. touch the prob to one of the disks and device reads NFe 0um/ 0.1mil- if not the calibrate by pushing the zero button 3 times, device then reads zero and is calibrated. Gauge also comes with clear shims of different thickness 48 micron, 99 micron, 257 micron, 497 micron. Place the shim over the metal disk and test, readings should be the same as marked on shims..
Onto the screens, I assume I place the metal disk on a flat surface and then place the screen ontop of that so the mesh is sandwiched between the metal disk and the probe to get the reading. Test an area of open mesh first to get the mesh thickness and then test an area with emulsion.
Results-Measurements in microns, hopefully my math is correct-
Screen 1, Glisten method Sharp edge 110/130= 20 =15.4% EOM ((20/130)x100)= 15.4%
Screen 2, Glisten method Round edge of squeegee- 110/150= 30 =20% EOM ((30/150)x100)= 20%
Screen 3, Original method sharp side, 108/122= 14 =11.5% EOM
Screen 4, As above but with 2 face coats 108/130= 22 =16.9% EOM
Screen 5, As above but with the rounded edge of the coater 110/135= 25 =18.5% EOM
Screen 6, Original method 1+1+1+1 but with the rounded edge 109/134= 25 =18.6% EOM
So looking at that it would seem I have been coating my screens at 11.5% EOM, funny that the Glisten method with a round cedge coater get bang on 20%..
Now onto stage 2- next batch of screens all with the glisten method, 2+2 in my case with the round edge to make sure my coating consistent.
Newman 83-71 at 30 newtons- 2+2 round edge = 84 mesh - 169 emulsion+mesh =169-84 =85mu ((85/169)x100)= 50%
new man 130s mesh- 30 newtons- 2+2 round edge = 52 mesh and 90 emulsion+mesh, = 90-52=38mu ((38/90)x100)= 42%
Newman 110t mesh - 30 newtons- 2+2 round edge = 105 mesh and 140 emulsion+mesh, = 140-105=35mu ((35/140)x100)= 25%
Newman 156t mesh - 30 newtons- 2+2 round edge = 86 mesh and 110 emulsion+mesh, =24mu ((24/110)x100)= 22%