A Digital Printing Network

Laser talk....

Steve,

I wasn't sure where to put this, but I notice a few of us were talking about different accessories, parts, materials, etc for the versalaser. I thought I'd start a new thread for us to chat about it...

Anyways, I'll continue where Irv left off about leveling his laser....

"...Reply by irving donaldson 6 hours ago

Do you to know if your laser is not balanced (or not within tolerance) it will give you a door open error. Now were is that written. It took me 4 days to figure that one out - but I did not give up...."

Irv, are you talking about the whole laser or just the attachment inside...cutting table, etc? How slanted is your table? I've never experienced that before.

Steve/Irv,

Do you have any pics of the things you've made?

Here's a minibat I did this weekend...

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MinibatFire1.jpg, 8 KB
MinibatFire2.jpg, 21 KB

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Permalink Reply by irving donaldson on June 3, 2010 at 6:34am

Joe it was late so I did not even realize the size of the file - now that you seen it I will delete it. Now for the strange part - the file will actually run as if the machine is on. You have the red and green light on - on the machine but the laser does not turn on and the head does not move - it almost like it is a similation mode. You can reproduce it (do not know why you would want to) with no harm to the machine - Just pointing it out so if you see these unexplainable results on your machine you know where to look.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Ledenican on November 13, 2010 at 3:24pm

Hello,

Scrolling through some old posts and saw the laser discussion. I have a VersaLaser with a 10 watt unit. I know 10 watts sounds rediculous but mine was bought soley for making computer-to-plate cliches for our pad printing machines. we make zillions of mini footballs, pens, specialty items, etc and just landed a manufacturers product called e-z twig used in the masonry, bricklaying trade. The laser makes these plates in a couple of minutes verses 15-20 minutes conventionally. More than 10 or 20 watts and you can't get the extreme fine lines on polymer plates needed for fine pad printing. since we do small runs on alot of products it works for us but really miss not having more power and rotory attachments for versatility. Wouldn't mind having a much larger machine in addition to this one.

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Permalink Reply by irving donaldson on November 13, 2010 at 7:42pm

Greetings, I have the 30watt unit and an Imprintor pad press. I have not burned plates or used the press other than the plate they burned. I see why they burn 1 pad and then sell the plate making service. It sounds interesting what you do with yours so I am actively researching what you submitted for maybe I can shake the dust off of my pad printer. So I will get back to you with my findings. BTW - I have the 30 and wish I had a 60w with a bed double the size of my 12x24. So I guess no one is ever satisfied.

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Permalink Reply by irving donaldson on November 13, 2010 at 8:00pm

Ok I seen the twig - so you making them for some other company. Got I think. Well the site said they have been around a while and just been improved. Looks like the lazer can zip through those in a minute. Do you have any infomation on the computer to plate cliches you mention.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Ledenican on November 13, 2010 at 8:38pm

Hi Irving,

We are only pad printing the masonry supply stores names on them, we have a 1000 pc minimum for each location. We did 8,000 units last weekend and are printing about 600 pcs per hour. I bought my versa from Inkcups Now, the pad printing company and have their ICN 150 2 color unit as our main pad printer the other is a Chinese 1 color tabletop but will do 2100 pcs phr. The new twig is at e-z twig.com. We are gearing up to go into pad printing heavily. Making plates with a laser is best with low wattage for the finer lines. I agree, a laser is like a boat or motorcycle, you always want to go bigger and faster. Thanks for the reply Rick

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Permalink Reply by irving donaldson on November 13, 2010 at 10:37pm

Rick I had find the twig site so now I got the total picture - your are personalizing them for the company. How do you make the plates with the laser. Maybe I am not understanding for my plates are made with a llte set and has to be developed. Are your pad machine automatic for mine is a physical or manual machne - like the slots.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Ledenican on November 13, 2010 at 11:28pm

You don't sleep either I see. Mine are automatic run by compressed air If you go to inkcupsnow.com you will see laser platemaking. I believe it takes a special software developed by InkCups Now, Inc. Exposure units like you have are the norm for platemaking but 10 x slower than the new laser process.

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Permalink Reply by irving donaldson on November 14, 2010 at 1:42pm

Thanks Rick - I sent you a message - no I don't sleep much for my days are too short. I did visit the site and seen your machine style - last question - do you like it.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Ledenican on November 14, 2010 at 2:33pm

Yes, I love the machine, but have grown to need a different automated style for a promotional project for the PGA. There is a slight chance I might be selling that one. 10 -12 watts are about max for laser etching. I inquired about 25-30 and they said you will loose alot of detail. Just so happen I have another 10 watt plug and play for my versalaser, I thought a problem was the laser but it was simply belt tensioning. A expensive error. The bigger obalts from ICN have 12 watt power supplies. I like the acculaser plate because you can use both sides and depth is not a issue.