Impressions - March 2024 - 29

Image Exposure Unit system from Saati (saati.com.)
On the downside, laser-based systems are the most expensive option
of the three. However, in addition to being a time saver they offer the
advantage of employing minimal consumables, since there's no longer a
need for any kind of wax and ink. Another big advantage to employing
lasers, as opposed to a wax or ink printhead (or printheads), is avoiding
the maintenance issues printheads and their associated components
entail. As is the case with CTS, with a DTS or LTS system registration
and press setup become non-issue thanks the precise fixturing involved.
Washout Booths
Which brings us to washout booths, a piece of equipment that for beLaser
based systems, like this SAATI LTS8012 Direct Laser
Image Exposure model, are fast, efficient and low-maintenance.
Photo courtesy of Impressions Expo
of both labor and material costs, due to the reduction in the number of
steps involved and the ability to forego the use of film. Because you are
no longer dealing with films and film placement, registration problems
also go away. The reason for this is the way the coated screens are all
fixtured identically during printing, which results in their automatically
being in-register as well, making press setup that much easier-a
huge time saver.
Not content merely doing away with films? Then you may want to
consider a direct-to-screen or laser-to-screen system, in which a gantry-controlled
laser both prints and cures the emulsion on a coated
screen, after which it can be taken directly to the washout booth-no
separate exposure necessary. Similar to waxed-based CTS, screens can
be oriented vertically, as is the case with, say, the LTS8012 Direct Laser
ginners may seem a luxury, but is simply a fact of life for anyone looking
to take their business to the next level. Tales abound of big-time operators
starting out spraying and reclaiming their screens in all manner of
receptacles-from bathtubs to, literally, the kitchen sink. The internet is
also replete with do-it-yourself washout booth hacks for those looking
to avoid the cost of a professionally configured system.
The problem with this kind of minimalist approach, though, is it
comes with costs of its own in the form of challenging ergonomics
and compromised quality. No one likes rinsing or reclaiming screens.
It therefore pays to make the job as efficient as possible. At the end of
the day, for a growing business, taking care of the bottom-line means
taking care of workers as well.
First and foremost, when it comes to speccing a washout booth you
need to consider size. If your shop has all the room in the world, great. If
not your company's washout area will undoubtedly end up being tucked
in some closet or corner, and you're going to want to make sure there's
room. That said, the bigger the better. This is another case where size
matters, especially if you want to be able to process multiple screens.
infinityforher.com
March 2024
P.29
http://www.saati.com http://www.infinityforher.com
Impressions - March 2024

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