Author Topic: Has any one used dial indicators to level platens?  (Read 1834 times)

Offline DannyGruninger

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1220
Re: Has any one used dial indicators to level platens?
« Reply #15 on: March 22, 2019, 12:04:11 AM »
I've been thinking about this as well. Action used to make something but they stopped making it.

You’ll have yours soon and it works well
Danny Gruninger
Denver Print House / Lakewood Colorado
https://www.instagram.com/denverprinthouse


Offline Nation03

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1244
  • The Dude abides.
Re: Has any one used dial indicators to level platens?
« Reply #16 on: March 22, 2019, 08:12:01 AM »
While we're on the topic. I know of the flood bar method, but was wondering if your print head is slightly off on the level, should you make your floodbar equally as off to be in plain with the printhead? Probably need an entirely different thread and photos for this, but I threw a level on my printhead yesterday and noticed the bubble was slightly over to the right and was thinking when I go to check parallel I should set my flood bar also slightly to the right? Everything is printing fine for now but I'm just trying to get a better idea of how I should do this when the time comes.

Offline LuckyFlyinROUSH

  • !!!
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 334
Re: Has any one used dial indicators to level platens?
« Reply #17 on: March 23, 2019, 09:37:20 AM »
What type of press do you have?

Can you post a picture of which way you have your level on the print head? Longways down the tube going to the center, or left to right?

Might want to start with the base of the press and make sure its level first.
I spend too much money on equipment...

Offline Nation03

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1244
  • The Dude abides.
Re: Has any one used dial indicators to level platens?
« Reply #18 on: March 25, 2019, 08:01:20 AM »
What type of press do you have?

Can you post a picture of which way you have your level on the print head? Longways down the tube going to the center, or left to right?

Might want to start with the base of the press and make sure its level first.

M&R Diamondback S. Level was left to right when it was slightly off. When I put it down the tube it was perfectly level. When I have a screen clamped in and put the level on the frame left to right it's perfectly level as well so I guess that has to do with the screen hangers. However, when I place the level on the flood bar and make it level, it looks like one side of the pallets is a littler higher on each pallet consistently, which is leading me to believe that I did something wrong or I'm missing something. I don't plan on making any adjustments soon since it was installed last month but I just wanted to get familiar with the process.

Offline Rockers

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 2050
Re: Has any one used dial indicators to level platens?
« Reply #19 on: April 06, 2019, 08:44:30 PM »
I would actually recommend  digital dial indicators as I have suggested to Action a long time ago. Makes reading the dial indicator so much easier.

Offline Rockers

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 2050
Re: Has any one used dial indicators to level platens?
« Reply #20 on: April 06, 2019, 08:47:17 PM »
Yes and it is a fantastic idea. We do it on all installs.

Step #1 build a fixture that hooks to a head and fans out to each pallet corner
Step #2 manually level one pallet to the head using conventional leveling scheme
Step #3 place fixture on the head
Step #4 raise pallets
Step #5 zero out all dial indicators
Step #6 bring each pallet around the the same spot and bring indicators to as close to zero as possible
Remember they are crazy accurate so don’t get to crazy on exactly 0.000

Common mistakes: Do not tighten any leveling bolt until all indicators equal 0. If you move one corner to zero and tighten down that nut, you will then bend warp all the others corners. Make sure the pallet is level on its own without being forced into level.

Hope this helps
Would you be so kind sharing a photo of your construction please. Would love to visualize it.

Offline Maxie

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1312
Re: Has any one used dial indicators to level platens?
« Reply #21 on: April 12, 2019, 02:57:16 AM »
This is my homemade measure.
I clamp it onto the head so if I slide the head backwards and forwards I can measure the height front to back and if I turn the pallets I can measure all the pallets side to side or just measure in the middle.
The measure is a 3/8 threaded arm with two nuts so I can adjust it up and down.
The digital measure is from Harbour Freight.
Maxie Garb.
T Max Designs.
Silk Screen Printers
www.tmax.co.il

Offline Logoman

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 394
  • Life is what happens while your making other plans
Re: Has any one used dial indicators to level platens?
« Reply #22 on: May 14, 2019, 10:14:43 PM »
Anyone have a video of leveling Platens?

Offline RICK STEFANICK

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1925
  • INDUSTRY CONSULTANT-OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Re: Has any one used dial indicators to level platens?
« Reply #23 on: May 15, 2019, 10:42:14 AM »
Anyone have a video of leveling Platens?

I think Dave Filip at Bimmridder apparel may have one. He has a custom made set up for doing that. He is no longer active here but loves to help out and advise other printers,you will find him to be a wealth of accurate information.you can reach him at 319.364.3479
Specializing in shop assessment's, flow and efficiency