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screen printing => Equipment => Topic started by: DManning on October 30, 2019, 12:00:31 PM

Title: Mixing Manufacturers?
Post by: DManning on October 30, 2019, 12:00:31 PM
Hi. We are in the process of upgrading our equipment.  And while I'm waiting on a few more estimates, I have a question.

Will the MHM pin screens work with a M&R Starlight and/or I-Image S?   Thanks
Title: Re: Mixing Manufacturers?
Post by: Dottonedan on October 30, 2019, 12:15:54 PM
There have been shops that have had an MHM and an IM-Image but the machine table needed some slight modification first. I think the back end (closest to the operator) needed a cut in it so that the frame can rest in place easily. Something to that affect.
Title: Re: Mixing Manufacturers?
Post by: DManning on October 30, 2019, 12:38:49 PM
Thanks, maybe someone will post pics.
Title: Re: Mixing Manufacturers?
Post by: markdhl on October 30, 2019, 01:23:52 PM
Best to match the exact mhm pin system.  On the Douthitt wax jet we match the clamping to mimic the press to be sure exact registration every time.

Send me an email and I will send short video how we clamp for mhm … static or roller does not matter.

Mark Diehl
Douthitt Corporation
mdhlexp@aol.com
Title: Re: Mixing Manufacturers?
Post by: T Shirt Farmer on October 30, 2019, 01:57:54 PM
Go Wax you can thank me latter.
Title: Re: Mixing Manufacturers?
Post by: mk162 on October 30, 2019, 02:12:39 PM
Go Wax you can thank me latter.

I 2nd this.

We mix and match equipment here.  I think some companies excel in certain areas and not in others.  Cherry pick the best from each.
Title: Re: Mixing Manufacturers?
Post by: BP on October 30, 2019, 02:55:07 PM
we have had are for over 9 weeks now and love it. We are printing screen for around .15-.20 per screen.
Title: Re: Mixing Manufacturers?
Post by: tonypep on October 30, 2019, 03:14:09 PM
At JNJ we were exposing at 3 seconds DTS ink and LED. Waterbased inks on the Starlight though
tp
Title: Re: Mixing Manufacturers?
Post by: Maxie on October 30, 2019, 03:15:48 PM
I have a Douthitt with MHM pins.   Registration is perfect.    It’s a great combination.
Title: Re: Mixing Manufacturers?
Post by: T Shirt Farmer on October 30, 2019, 06:48:38 PM
At JNJ we were exposing at 3 seconds DTS ink and LED. Waterbased inks on the Starlight though
tp

Not to stir the pot but... no need to expose faster than you can image a screen correct.
Title: Re: Mixing Manufacturers?
Post by: 1964GN on October 31, 2019, 06:22:37 AM
At JNJ we were exposing at 3 seconds DTS ink and LED. Waterbased inks on the Starlight though
tp

Not to stir the pot but... no need to expose faster than you can image a screen correct.

That is our thought too. We recently installed a new Douthit CTS and NOVAC 5k exposure unit. We are exposing at 20-30 seconds (2 screens at the same time) on low power. We could easily get that down to 10 seconds or less, but why do that that if you can't keep up on the other side? If we are missing something someone please enlighten me.

There are a lot of shops with mixed equipment that make it all work. We choose not to do that, so we are selling our ROQ's (pin registration), and going with new MHM's and Douthit pre-press.
Title: Re: Mixing Manufacturers?
Post by: mk162 on October 31, 2019, 08:50:05 AM
we image a bunch of screens, then kick the unit on and expose them.
Title: Re: Mixing Manufacturers?
Post by: T Shirt Farmer on October 31, 2019, 08:55:48 AM
At JNJ we were exposing at 3 seconds DTS ink and LED. Waterbased inks on the Starlight though
tp

Not to stir the pot but... no need to expose faster than you can image a screen correct.

That is our thought too. We recently installed a new Douthit CTS and NOVAC 5k exposure unit. We are exposing at 20-30 seconds (2 screens at the same time) on low power. We could easily get that down to 10 seconds or less, but why do that that if you can't keep up on the other side? If we are missing something someone please enlighten me.

There are a lot of shops with mixed equipment that make it all work. We choose not to do that, so we are selling our ROQ's (pin registration), and going with new MHM's and Douthit pre-press.

Wax/MHM here not perfect but super user friendly, can train to image, process and load screens onto press in a morning. No Maintenance other than daily purge your team will be for sure.
Title: Re: Mixing Manufacturers?
Post by: Maxie on November 01, 2019, 03:47:51 PM
Robert can you be more specific about not perfect?
I recently purchased a Douthitt and I have MHM printers.
I have tested that the screen prints in register on the screen, I printed 6 colors on the same screen, taking the frame out and loading it again between colors.     Registration was perfect.
I am changing all my old MHM pins before I zero my printers, some of the pins are old and I'm sure will cause registration printers.
I'd like to know what else to check before I proceed.
Title: Re: Mixing Manufacturers?
Post by: Biverson on November 01, 2019, 11:41:48 PM
I'm also in the process of switching to Douthitt/MHM for the sole fact that it simplifies the two most laborsome processes (exposing and registration). With a skilled labor shortage in my area (everywhere really) I can train a high schooler or part timer much quicker than my with current setup. My only FT employee, who's been with me since April, takes about 20 minutes per screen on a detailed sim process job. I got her up to speed on embroidery first and now onto screen printing. If I could get that down to 10 minutes a screen that's huge. 5 minutes would be a monstrous game changer in terms of current output. I also wouldn't have to babysit future employees with getting stuff registered. Can't wait.

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