John Thomson
Forum Replies Created
-
I use Eco Solvent ink flush when I clean or soak heads ( 5 litres was £60.00 and will probably outlast me )
Ink splashes and wipers get cleaned with thinners.
John
-
“I am using the version that comes free with the printer BTW.”
I have Flexiprint which was supplied with one of my Chinese printers.
It is a cut-down version, complete with a dongle and serial number however you cannot upgrade or get any support as it will be tied to the one make of printer.
Lots of features are removed,
sorry it is not very helpful.
John
-
I would have expected spares supplied in case of any fitting or sizing issues to allow the job to be completed on time……….much easier than producing/fitting more later on.
john
-
Hi,
just got back from holiday and have seen this.
I would be happy to take on and fitting work.
Thanks for the recommendation Rob…appreciated.
john
-
Could it be the media clamp leaving a mark? I have had that before when the vinyl has been cold.
john
-
I printed a tartan wrap for a coffin a few years back.
john
-
That’s a Kobelco machine.
I do a large number of these….no templates available I’m afraid.
Boom is just a case of measuring for your white panel, most other shapes I do with wrap cut tape but what they are asking for that rear panel looks like a nightmare.
John
-
What a beautiful machine.! I am envious.
John
-
Driving down Tuesday late afternoon, overnight in the hotel then full day at the show then driving back home Wednesday evening.
Looking forward to it….its a show I don’t miss.
John
-
I would clean the heads thoroughly then draw ink up until it runs clean.
Sounds to me like cyan has back due to dried ink or perhaps the head/ capping station not aligned.
This has happened to me a few times over the years.
Hope that helps.
John
-
One metre of masking tape in the centre and at each side of the vinyl down to the take up reel……works for me.
John
-
Looking much better now.
Banding is now probably down to head alignment.
John
-
Hi,
I imported an A3 UV flatbed form China last year.
I have in the past imported 2 x 1600mm solvent printers, a hot laminator, flatbed laminator, 2 x 1600 plotters, 700mm x 500mm laser etc. so am reasonably comfortable importing.
From my experience importing yourself is well worthwhile…..Alibaba is one of the biggest businesses in the world.
I have never had any real problems with any of my machine but have always found the manufacturers to be very helpful and spare parts are easily sent if needed.
So to the UV specifically.
I have looked at them for years at Sign UK and always fancied one…..but they were really expensive.
There are really cheap machines based on converted Epson desktop printers but I decided to spend more and go with an industrial spec machine with a single Epson DX8 head, CMYK plus white ( white in is stirred when the machine is on to avoid clogging) I bought masses of spare parts inc. a mainboard, headboard , sensors etc…….all came discounted as a bundled, discounted package along with ink, cleaning fluid etc. Drivers for it are already in Flexisign so I figured that if that was the case the manufacturer must be reputable
Took 8 weeks to arrive in the UK, all insured for the voyage, paperwork and import tax etc. was sorted quickly along with transport to Scotland.
Delivered on in a large package on a pallet…over 100KG so the drive took it to where I wanted on a pallet truck.
Setup was easy enough apart from the capping station not being accurately aligned….sorted remotely from China via Teamviewer….I have my own Whatsapp connection to support which is unlimited.
Only thing I was not happy about was the head ribbons appearing to be too short and therefore very tight….I swapped with 20mm longer ones for peace of mind.
Other than it taking a while for me to figure how to figure out printing with white ink ( you have to set up a spot channel in Photoshop then export as a tif file before ripping) everything has been good.
John
-
There is a repair company in the US who have listings on Ebay for Roland main board repairs.
Hope this helps.
John
-
Swan Morton retractable fitted with 10a blade is what I normally use.
Retractable Stanley for some heavier cutting.
John
-
Does a Trotec ( and Epilog) not use an RF tube rather than the much cheaper glass tubes used in Chinese lasers?
Look at the tube replacement cost for a Trotec tube.
Glass tubes have a maximum engraving head speed of 1000mm/s, RF tubes can go to 4300mm/s and have a higher quality output even at that speed as per Steff’s experience
John
-
I have ran cmyk solvents for years and have recently added a small cmyk ww flatbed UV.
It prints perfectly….in cmyk on white materials, however I have not yet worked out how to create spot colours for printing white or underbase….I’ve looked for tutorials online without success.
White ink for me has added a learning curve and I am still well down the curve. As this printer was very much a “want” rather than a “need” I have not spent that much time learning how to use the software for white ink.
John
-
I used http://www.chrystalrubber.co.uk
2900mm x 1340mm x 5mm thick cost me £150.00 plus £20.00 shipping a couple of years ago and it has lasted well.
John
-
Sad news………I didn’t know him personally but read loads of his posts.
John
-
If it were me,
in order I would try….soak the head, suspend the head in an ultrasonic bath while flushing with cleaning fluid or ultimately replace the head.
As you know solvent machines like to be used.
best of luck.
John
-
I’m just about to order an A3 flatbed UV printer…….looked at them for years at Sign UK so decided to go ahead with it.
Another new toy with a learning curve
john
-
You could try Hobarts?
John
-
I would look at the focus lens alignment….looks like the beam is splitting into two.
Hope that helps.
John
-
This can be done but as Colin said solvent ink is not an option….it has to be UV.
I have 2 Chinese made solvent printers, as in the video ( mine run DX7 heads) and these can also be ordered as a UV ink hybrid flatbed.
The video was made by the South African importer but show how it works.
John
$this->BBvideo_pass(‘$8’, ‘$4’, ‘$7’) -
You would need a consumer credit licence to offer any form of credit or act as a broker?
John
-
Sorry…….off topic.
How are you getting on Nic? Long time since I have seen you post.
John
-
Current dropping as coolant temperature rises?
Is it a CW 3000 cooler?John
-
I have to agree 100% Phill…….notice how everything causes our freedoms to be reduced and our taxes to rise.
Need to cancel my booking at the Hilton now…..and everyone doing things like that may just trigger the long planned next financial crash.
John
-
a poor profile would not cause stripy prints……I would suggest the coating on the material was not suitable for latex ( or a part of a faulty batch)
John
-
Too much pressure for the different material?
John
-
SAI have there own youtube channel although the new videos are for Flexi 19 there are plenty of older videos/tutorials for versions 10 and 12.
Hope this helps
John
-
running Chinese CO2 tubes beyond 65/70% power shortens their life dramatically and actually produces less cutting power at the head as the tube is being "over driven" ( I found that out after my first tube burned out prematurely).
My PSU failed just after my tube ( 3 years into ownership)…..my symptom was no output at all as no power was getting to the tube….a replacement PSU simply bolted in and I was up and running againIs the alignment OK? mirrors clean? Focus lens not damaged as I have heard they can crack?
John
-
I do my own maintenance on all my equipment, my laser has only needed a tube and a PSU replaced.
What is the issue? locate the problem and replace the part.
John
-
I’ve had mine 8 years or so……..great tool.
John
-
I’d start looking at the simple obvious things.
carriage moving freely? blade rotating smoothly? no change made to blade offset or overcut settings in your software? or any settings on the cutter itself?
Hope this helps.
John
-
Like or loath it…
the wrap has done its job as we are talking about it…
otherwise, it is just another superyacht.
My Spandex rep told me about this when it was done.
Luxwrap were the company that did it.
The vinyl cost price was around 60K
https://www.luxwrap.comjohn
-
Microsoft now no longer offer tech support or updates for Windows 7.
They are scaremongering that ever hacker in the world will find vulnerabilities in Win 7 and we must all upgrade to a new PC with Win 10.The laptops I have to run my equipment are Win 7 but not ever connected to the internet so shouldn’t ever cause me a problem.
If it isn’t broke………
John
-
Laser cut acrylic sounds like it would fit the bill.
john
-
Banksy’s work has gone downhill!
john
-
In Flexi production manager have a look at your Mimaki setup properties…click on the 3rd tab ( little cutter symbol),
at the bottom select cutter options and check the before job offset setting……
Attachments:
-
Try using the standard SAI registration marks to see if anything changes?
I still think an offset setting is causing this…..
Could be that before you got the plotter someone changed a setting.John
-
check in flexisign for an offset setting…………if the cut is correct just not in the correct place the plotter is being told to do that by flexisign.
John
-
How far out are the contour cuts?Are the contour cuts the correct size and shape or are they completely random?
If they are correct size/shape then perhaps an offset issue? What contour registration marks are you using? SAI or Mimaki.Having bought expensive kit you would expect more in the way of support…………you have paid a premium for it.
John
-
quote Omar Benmez:Hi guys,
John – if you have managed to import one of our machines into the UK from China you may have found a loophole in our supply chain. Thanks for making me aware of this so I can investigate internally.
Fayon or any other Chinese companies are often agents, they cannot and likely will not provide any sort of warranty or service after the initial sale, no option for engineer installation is given, parts and repairs are often not available or if they are available they are very slow to react.
Hi,
" a loophole in our supply chain"? Are you suggesting I have done something underhand buying this machine?
Fayon and Feiyang are brand names used by the manufacturer, Henan Yingkai Technology Development Co.Ltd.
This company has been trading since 2003 manufacturing lamination equipment.They and their local distributors advertise on The Far East’s largest trade website…..simply a case of hitting the buy button.
As nothing has gone wrong I cannot comment on the support offered.You are listed on their website as a distributor of their products in the UK.
I have seen the roll to roll machine that you supplied to my friend Robert………this looks very like a clone/copy of the Audley ADL machine I imported 5 years ago, same machine that Grafityp supply.
John
-
Mounters Mate smart station is manufactured by Fayon.
I imported one from China earlier this year.John
-
As Chris has said the most likely cause is a badly seated head ribbon, next place to look is headboard when things start to get expensive very quickly.
John
-
I imported a Redsail 700mm x 500mm 60W laser over 8 years of so ago from China. Great tool that has paid for itself many times over.
Lower power tubes are better for engraving, higher power tubes better for cutting.If you want the peace of mind of local tech support and someone to set it up then then a UK distributor / importer will give you that…..but at a price
Never had any issues with it..had to replace a tube but that was due to me running it at 95% power which shortens their life. Chinese CO2 lasers should be run at around 60% power as the optimum.
John
-
I think trust in this manufacturer may be an issue……….
John
-
There must be a reason for them to stop producing these inks…….there is no way they would stop if it was profitable.
Sounds like 3rd party will be the only option for you.
Stockpiling means you risk ink going out of date.John
-
I ran Jetbest on my old Mimaki JV3 for years with no issues.
Better to get "permanent chips" ( possibly need to order these from China) to save buying replacement chips on a regular basis.
John
-
quote Ruel Maxwell:quote John Thomson:I selected “other” I run 2 x 1.6m Epson DX7 single head Tecjet eco-solvent machines. John
How are they?
1. Quality?
2. Speed?
3. How does the ink hold up to scratches etc?They are great.
Had the first one for over 7 years now. The second one has several good upgrades on it.
They are simple, well-built machines. I have only had to replace dampers/cap stations and 2 heads in all that time.
No problems with ink even though I use cheap Chinese.
Speed is fine for me but I don’t run them flat out.John
-
I selected "other"
I run 2 x 1.6m Epson DX7 single head Tecjet eco-solvent machines.
John
Attachments:
-
Chris at Diverse Signs in Cumbernauld does this.
John
-
It’s a Boxster S……not into track days but it has done a few laps at the Nurburgring with me at the wheel :smiles:
John
Attachments:
-
I refurbed my calipers a few years ago…….painted with VHT paint, applied normal vinyl lettering then applied clear VHT lacquer.
Never had a problem with them.John
-
I have de chromed a black 6 series convertible BMW with gloss black wrap vinyl.
Easy to do……I didn’t remove any of the trim and really changed the look of the car.As said just a case of making sure everything is tucked in neatly.
John
-
What did everyone think of the show?
I was a bid underwhelmed this year……lots of textile printers and large flatbed uv’s
Quite a few exhibitors who are normally there were absent……mainly the smaller companies.I’d be interested to hear what others thought.
John
-
I like that…..very nice.
John
-
We are driving down early Wednesday morning….looking forward to it as I missed last year.
John
-
In North Lanarkshire the only commercial vehicles allow into a recycling facility are privately hired, short term rental vans…………with a valid rental agreement.
CCTV controlled including body cams on the staff!John
-
Hi Dave,
sorry to hear things have been tough for you.
lots of the old guard that were prominent posters here 12 or so years ago have disappeared,
maybe like me they read now more than post.All the best
John
-
Yes you will have to redo the course…..think you need to redo anyway when your existing card runs out just to renew an existing card…………just a money making scam in my opinion.
John
-
Labourers green card is the only way unless you want to do a college course to give you a signmakers qualification.
My previous card was a "manifestation installer" but that classification no longer exists.
John
-
I imported a Chinese CO2 laser 7 years ago.
Still working hard almost every day…..I have replaced the tube once but in hindsight it failed because I was running it at 95% power which burned it out prematurely….now runs at 65% and not had a problem since.I would import again without hesitation……but you need to be prepared to work through setting it up and maintaining it yourself.
John
-
I know this hasn’t been an easy decision for you by any means Ewan.
Thanks for your custom over the last few years and I wish you all the best for the future.
Keep in touch.
John
-
I made this from an IKEA clock a few years back.
Think from memory it cost me just over a pound.
John
Attachments:
-
I fitted a bright LED strip the full length inside the printer above the platen which was easy, cheap and works well.
john
-
I fitted some Xmas window displays for a major High St retailer at the end of last year.
I had to pass a 2hr online asbestos awareness training course in order to be allowed on site……we were not allowed drills on site because they were so paranoid about asbestos.
John
-
quote Phill Fenton:Yup this is today Martin.
The industrial estate is deserted with hardly anyone working todayMy car today…..
Attachments:
-
Snowed in here…………..nobody moving at all.
John
-
My first thought is why call you back if you were genuinly so far out?
That says to me they wanted to give you a chance to cut your quoted price which implies you were close to other quotes.
John
-
I fitted this a couple of years ago from a cherry picker, on the side of a section of an aircraft carrier that was being built on the Clyde.
6m drops of 1220mm wide vinyl………and I don’t really like heights much.
John
Attachments:
-
I did this roller door last year with md5 and matching laminate.
Door was aluminum which was corroding..John
-
I was surprised….. Cutter pressure was the same as for normal vinyl and I have continued using the same blade so there may have been a little extra wear on it but certainly not much.
John
-
The R take material worked well….. Very metallic….like thick kitchen foil.
Customer loved it which is the main thing.
John
-
Thanks everyone for your replies.
I spoke to Europoint and will go with their recomendation….a new R tape material.
John
-
Nice view!………..might print that and put it on my window :smiles:
John
-
Only 50w so you have to run really slow to get 10mm in one pass……the benefit is that cutting slow gives a better polished edge.
John
-
Impossible to flame polish the insides of letters…. Laser is the only way
John
-
10mm is a realistic max for my laser………you would need big power to do 30mm in a single pass at a reasonable speed.
John
-
I hope to drive down for the day tomorrow :smiles:
John
-
I would unplug……then switch on to make sure the power is drained completely…..swictch off….plug in and switch on.
Hopefully this will help.John
-
quote Bob Scullion:Done a test draw, perfect.
Always a relief when you see a perfect test print :smiles:
John
-
Bob,
ink fill should be enough…..if not a syringe will pull it through.
John
-
I seem to remember John Childs had a "weeder" and swore by it?
I tried the one at Sign UK last year…..seemed to work but they accepted that your cut pressure has to be pretty near perfect for it to work.
john
-
I find flexisign can have issues with some pdf’s…….I always preview or open in photoshop to ensure what is in Flexi is correct.
john
-
All the best Dave 🙂
John
-
If you want them for inside glass?……reverse print on clear them laminate with white.
John
-
I intend to finish up tomorrow but will be keeping my printer fettled over the break so will probably do a little printing if needed.
John
-
Really sad news.
John
-
The only thing I can think of is that there is somehow a positive air pressure in a cart……I can’t think of anything else that would cause ink droplets to form.
Hopefully Stafford will be along soon.
John
-
Sorry to hear this Phill,
If the pipes in the waste bottle touch the wast ink in the waste bottle the pressure caused will siphon ink from the cart
If yellow /magenta share the same waste pipe that could explain it.john
-
Very nice indeed Phil :smiles:
John
-
Sorry to hearyou are thinking of this.
Being self employed can be a very lonley place sometimes and is not for everyone…..add in health and family issues and it makse things a whole lot worse.
Whatever you decide I wish you all the best.
john
-
This is what Unique did………………for £6.00
John
Attachments:
-
Many thanks for your help and time everyone….. I will post up a photo of the finished sign.
John
-
I looked at beveled fonts but the logo has black/grey with highlights from a simulated light source which will be noticable on an 8×4 sign.
I have sent it to Unique for a quote………..late on a Friday was not the best time to be sending it though.
john
-
when using blades it is not if but when! Been there and done that………..glad it wasn’t too bad.
safety rulers all the time for me.
John
-
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/scraper- … 33584.html
-
Never come across this before……..just ordered a couple of sharpeners (actually they seem to work like a plane to straighten the edge rather than sharpen it) from Aliexpress…..£1.10 each inc. post 😀
John