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screen printing => Equipment => Topic started by: blue moon on November 25, 2015, 03:29:23 PM
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In the end, the deal was too good to pass up and we snagged the last unit they had. It will be the second piece of M&R equipment in the shop joining the MSP3140 (which will not get much use as the I-Image is put into play).
I realize they are based on EPSON technology and that we will have to keep up with the maintenance, but are there any other thoughts on what we should and should not do?
also, did anybody modify these or other M&R DTS units to work with MHM?
thanx,
pierre
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Up-size your dumpster and start throwing away films. ;D ;D
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also, did anybody modify these or other M&R DTS units to work with MHM?
thanx,
pierre
We did pimp ours. It's not M&R, however we took the FPU cylinder and mounted it onto the base of DTS unit. I can post photo when in shop tomorrow.
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and I am very much so looking forward to the MAD savings in tape use! ;D
pierre
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welcome to the club ;)
how many "last" units do they have? I thought I got one of the "last" ones... LOL.
suggestions for keeping it running nicely (ours is still perfect after a year of running 20+ screens daily on it)
- keep it clean
- run it every day
- run a nozzle check at least once every few days
- try to change your ink channels up as often as possible (we use 1&2 on monday, 3&4 on tuesday, 5&6 on wednesday, etc)
- halftone calibration is a pita, but once you get it in, it works really nicely.
- be prepared to have 'fun' resetting the ink cartridges when they fall below 60% -- as in get yourself a few beers fun... <-- this is the ONLY thing I TRULY hate about our unit.
- reading files created in any current illustrator can have issues. (sometimes the software gets 'error reading file' -- try again (sometimes a few times and it will finally open).
- one color work has to have it's output setting changed from "Error Diffusion" to "Traditional Dot"
- get yourself an extra wiper assembly and capping station..
- make sure you don't have any big drips or lumps on your screens, or any tape sticking up... you don't want to have the print head hit it... (the laser SHOULD detect it, but you really want to be sure) (I know you guys are experts at coating, but just thought I'd point it out)
- not sure what emulsion you're using, but some emulsions work better than others to receive the ink.
And Greg's right on about upsizing your dumpster and throwing away films ;)
oh, and get an extra capping station and wiper assembly.
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I like Greg's idea also, but instead of paying for a larger dumpster, we just waited for a flood to sweep it all away. Much less labor intensive.
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Huge improvement over films for sure. You will rip up any ROI you did within couple days of it running I bet. ;)
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This really was the LAST one. Left over in the R&D room and will not be joining us in Roselle.
Jason you may have had the 3rd-4th to last. Everything Jason said is correct. They can be a bit finicky bc of the Epson side which is why we ultimately left the project, but they are still a very accurate and useful CTS system.
Enjoy!!!
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Jason hit it on the nail in his post. I think I must have it backwards though because I've been using error diffusion on anything that doesn't have halftones. In the winter months when we slow down, I load an old static frame I have and print a small block every other day making sure I use all of the channels so that it doesn't set idle too long. Also once a month, I'll pull the wiper out and use a swab with the M&R cleaning solution and gently clean it but you have to do that in service mode. I've had mine for almost 2 years and other than the occasionally aggravating epson part of it, I haven't had any trouble with it.
Congratulations!
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Congrats Pierre!! So, does that mean you now you aren't going to be reading peoples films for calibration???? ;D
When do they have you scheduled out for install?
- be prepared to have 'fun' resetting the ink cartridges when they fall below 60% -- as in get yourself a few beers fun... <-- this is the ONLY thing I TRULY hate about our unit.
If this happens, does the machine continuously tell you that there is no cartridge installed? This is what I am experiencing now. It says ALL the cartridges in the right side are not inserted.
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If this happens, does the machine continuously tell you that there is no cartridge installed? This is what I am experiencing now. It says ALL the cartridges in the right side are not inserted.
yup.
pretty much it's:
remove cartridge, re-insert, close door... drink sip of beer.. wait... (you really don't need to 'reset' the cartridge again)
hopefully it sees it...
if not..
remove cardridge, re-insert, close door... drink sip of beer... wait...
(sometimes it takes me 30-45 minutes of messing with it)...
I'm about to get a set of 3rd party 'extra-life' cartridges for the machine rather than the 'initial-fill' ones that M&R supplies... those cartridges are supposed to last 4-5x as long... so at least then I can go maybe 500-600 screens or more before needing to reset...
right now it's about every 200 screens that I pull them and reset them. ALWAYS at the end of the day... never during the day.
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If this happens, does the machine continuously tell you that there is no cartridge installed? This is what I am experiencing now. It says ALL the cartridges in the right side are not inserted.
yup.
pretty much it's:
remove cartridge, re-insert, close door... drink sip of beer.. wait... (you really don't need to 'reset' the cartridge again)
hopefully it sees it...
if not..
remove cardridge, re-insert, close door... drink sip of beer... wait...
(sometimes it takes me 30-45 minutes of messing with it)...
I'm about to get a set of 3rd party 'extra-life' cartridges for the machine rather than the 'initial-fill' ones that M&R supplies... those cartridges are supposed to last 4-5x as long... so at least then I can go maybe 500-600 screens or more before needing to reset...
right now it's about every 200 screens that I pull them and reset them. ALWAYS at the end of the day... never during the day.
Interesting.... I have yet to even be able to try a nozzle check because it isn't reading those. I lucked out and was able to use 2 of them working from a 7900 I bought off CL, ya, that's right, I got a perfectly working 7900 off CL for $300 8) Dude thought a head clog meant the printer was bad!
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Yup, I've had mine give me the error message that no cartridge in installed once while it had been sitting idle for about 4 hrs. I'll reset mine everytime they get down to 70%. After resetting them you need to handle them like you are handling a nuclear bomb while re-inserting them. I mean gently/slowly re-insert them to get them detected. The only other deal I've had with it is that while I was getting ready to image another screen it popped up the message "automatic motor adjust please wait 3 minutes" it freaked me but after the 3 minutes it was back to business as usual. I baby this machine but it has been well worth it.
If/when the epson craps out I will get it back up an running as quick as possible because it has been life changing as far as the work part of my life. I have so much more time to tend to other things around the shop than before.
Pierre, if you have any questions that aren't too extremely technical don't hesitate to pm anyone of us that have them and I'm sure we can help most of the time.
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something that many that have used this unit don't know.. is that the M&R 'parts' only really interact with the printer...
so you can actually attach the printer to another computer and use FilmMaker or Accurip with it... I played with it a bit when I was getting frustrated with the IBlock rip... (went back to iblock tho as I do like the workflow better, even if there's a bit of hassle)
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Cool! I'm really looking forward to getting ours up and running!
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doing some research this morning.. I found a supplier online that claims that they have permanent chips for the 7900/9900 cartridges that don't require a chip resetter...
I'm going to do some more research and see what I can find... if those work, it would be perfect.
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doing some research this morning.. I found a supplier online that claims that they have permanent chips for the 7900/9900 cartridges that don't require a chip resetter...
I'm going to do some more research and see what I can find... if those work, it would be perfect.
Amen, if you find something about them before I do please share.
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I could of sworn there was a program for the 4880 series that would let you reset the cartridges from the computer. The Neoflex we had came with the program I belive... You could also dictate which color went to which print nozzle. It would be nice for someone to develop a back end program like that for the x900 series.... I nominate someone aside from myself to get on that! I'm just a humble screen printer.
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The 900 series is way different than the 800 series as far as ink chips go... Not in a good way.
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Why is it being called the Rocket Launcher? When I clicked on the thread I had NO idea it was about a CTS machine but I was just wondering.
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Why is it being called the Rocket Launcher? When I clicked on the thread I had NO idea it was about a CTS machine but I was just wondering.
Check out classic science fiction illustration
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Why is it being called the Rocket Launcher? When I clicked on the thread I had NO idea it was about a CTS machine but I was just wondering.
it holds the screens at 45 degrees so it looks like t is about to launch something. . .
pierre
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I wondered the same thing. Google was no help and reckon I didn't wanna know bad enough to post the question.
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I was under the assumption that Pierre actually bought a rocket launcher. I was about to PM him to see if I could come out and play around with it.
I guess this is still cool though. Just not as practical.
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I was under the assumption that Pierre actually bought a rocket launcher. I was about to PM him to see if I could come out and play around with it.
I get this is still cool though. Just not as practical.
don't give me any ideas!
pierre
p.s. if I ever get one, I'll make sure you are the first one I call!
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When do you get the machine?
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When do you get the machine?
I'm gonna guess in about two weeks, but will not know until the paperwork is done. It should be by the end of the year.
Why do you ask?
pierre
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Here's something in that same world but a lot more affordable - you can now get a $150 gadget called the "Pyro Mini" that shoots actual fireballs from your wrists!
http://www.ellusionist.com/pyro-mini-fireshooter.html (http://www.ellusionist.com/pyro-mini-fireshooter.html)
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FYI, I bought refillable carts and they reset better. I just leave them empty and have them as backups for any of the other carts.
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When do you get the machine?
I'm gonna guess in about two weeks, but will not know until the paperwork is done. It should be by the end of the year.
Why do you ask?
pierre
Just excited for you is all. Wanted to tune in!
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FYI, I bought refillable carts and they reset better. I just leave them empty and have them as backups for any of the other carts.
which ones did you get?
Cobra or the ones from inkjetmall? I like the idea of the inkjetmall ones as you can replace the chips if they f-up.
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inkowl.com they work well and now I have a ton of syringes and funnels. ;)
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Here's something in that same world but a lot more affordable - you can now get a $150 gadget called the "Pyro Mini" that shoots actual fireballs from your wrists!
[url]http://www.ellusionist.com/pyro-mini-fireshooter.html[/url] ([url]http://www.ellusionist.com/pyro-mini-fireshooter.html[/url])
Thanks for posting this... we will likely get one for my wife's business.
We are offering Darth Maul and Ironman, so we might figure out a way to incorporate this gadget into those costumes.
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inkowl.com they work well and now I have a ton of syringes and funnels. ;)
can you let them go to zero without having reset issues?
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JUST got mine up and working!!
Pierre, start a fund right now to buy Jason(jvanick) booze, he has been instrumental in helping me get up and running! The way things are looking right now I may not be eating any meals in Long Beach this year, all my money will be covering his bar tabs! ;D Actually, with the savings I will gain from not using Scotch tape now, I may come out even! :P
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JUST got mine up and working!!
Pierre, start a fund right now to buy Jason(jvanick) booze, he has been instrumental in helping me get up and running! The way things are looking right now I may not be eating any meals in Long Beach this year, all my money will be covering his bar tabs! ;D Actually, with the savings I will gain from not using Scotch tape now, I may come out even! :P
Whew, that's scary... that boy can drink!
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JUST got mine up and working!!
Pierre, start a fund right now to buy Jason(jvanick) booze, he has been instrumental in helping me get up and running! The way things are looking right now I may not be eating any meals in Long Beach this year, all my money will be covering his bar tabs! ;D Actually, with the savings I will gain from not using Scotch tape now, I may come out even! :P
Whew, that's scary... that boy can drink!
Thank you for appreciating the gravity of my situation...
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can you let them go to zero without having reset issues?
We don't try it. I don't let them get below 50%. They reset MUCH easier than the originals. I can get them on the first try most of the time. What is really funny is some guys are better resetters than others. No idea how or why.
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I see that they're the 700ml variety too... so I assume they last a lot longer between resets as well?
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We reset every couple months depending on use.
I really like them better than the Epson carts.
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Ordering ;)
did you get their chip resetter too? or does the original one work fine?
-J
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That was my biggest gripe with the unit was the carts. We had one that would not reset one day, caused a day of no screens as we had to overnight a new cart. But other than that and the initial getting used to it the until was more or less fine and operated like a typical Epson printer. I would still take it over doing films, but id be lying if I said it was remotely as good as the ST unit.
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That was my biggest gripe with the unit was the carts. We had one that would not reset one day, caused a day of no screens as we had to overnight a new cart. But other than that and the initial getting used to it the until was more or less fine and operated like a typical Epson printer. I would still take it over doing films, but id be lying if I said it was remotely as good as the ST unit.
Nail on the head!
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someday I'm sure we'll upgrade... for now... it's working very well, improves workflow and screens immensely and we paid cash for it...
so while newer might be better... I'm still very happy with what we have right now... and SO much better than film.
-J
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someday I'm sure we'll upgrade... for now... it's working very well, improves workflow and screens immensely and we paid cash for it...
so while newer might be better... I'm still very happy with what we have right now... and SO much better than film.
-J
I agree, so much better than film and we paid cash as well. I would still say the auto is the most important thing in our shop but the ST is not far behind it. I would always suggest having both for even a small shop.
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we didn't pay cash for ours, and it was like night and day between it and film. by far the best thing we ever did, technology has come so far the last few years its hard to imagine going back and honestly I would probably quit before I ever went back to film. The press is a given, we all have them, but what people tend to shy away from because of the price would make them so much more money, like the CTS and the Starlight! Those are fookin amazing and I cant live without them! Once people spend time with the rocket launcher and see the true benefits of CTS, there is no way they won't eventually upgrade to the ST. In the meantime, let that rocket launcher RIP, we did some good looking stuff with ours while we had, just a bit quirky IMO.
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inkowl.com they work well and now I have a ton of syringes and funnels. ;)
Brad -- just wanted to say thank you. I ordered a set of cartridges and installed them last night. This was the first EVER cartridge reset procedure that I didn't have to fiddle with a single cartridge. Plus going from the 110ml to 700ml capacity chips, I should now be able to go at least a month or 2 between resets :)
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No problem, it helped us out a ton as well.