Settings on a DF14 Mug Press?

[Stitch Up]

Good afternoon to all you knowledgeable people

We don't do many mugs so forget how to use the DF14 mug press!

We have some ceramic Xpres 11oz mugs and we've been trying to press a simple all black design. Unfortunately we've failed miserably and the mug comes out with a great black near the bottom but in the centre it's got a red tinge!

We're pressing at 180deg for 180 seconds and medium pressure. We have tried a few variations.

When we have the mug in the DF14 press and press start, the temperature starts at 90deg and climbs to 180deg and then the timer starts to count down from 180sec. Is this what we should expect? My thoughts are that the press should start at 180deg and then the timer decrease from 180secs!

Any thoughts guys?

Cheers

John

[Justin]

Which inks are you using?

[Stitch Up]

From memory, InkExpress https://www.inkexpress.co.uk/

Hope you're keeping well Justin.

[Justin]

Thank you john, I am yes, I trust you are the same?

OK so not Ricoh inks that cook at lower temp.

The DF14 is one of those funny presses that gets up to temp and then starts counting. In which case, I assume you have to allow for this or you'll be overheating. As sublimation starts at a much lower temp surely it will be cooking whilst warming up. How long does it take to get to full temp before countdown?

Sorry, I'm not helping much at the moment, just going through a few ideas until someone with a DF14 comes along! lol.

[Stitch Up]

We're all good thanks Justin - looking forward to retiring and devoting my time to the print shop

I've always found the operation of the DF14 rather strange, and you're probably right, the time to warm up while the mug is in the press should be factored in somehow!

Maybe someone currently using the DF14 will be able to chip in.

Cheers

John

[Skye]

Hello John

I have one of these presses.

The press has three things to set: Idle (holding) temperature, operating (cooking) temperature & time.

It works as follows:
- Once the press is warm it will not drop below the idle temperature. This is the temp to put the mug in.
- Once the mug is in the press, press the start button. When the press reaches the operating temperature, the timer counts down the time set.

BMS recommend the idle temperature to be set to 110C and the operating temperature of 180C for a time of 150 seconds, reducing temp to 170C and time to 140sec for Ricoh inks.

I haven't printed any mugs for a while - the sticker on my press reads "set to 110, 180, 80" for Ricoh ink & Euro mugs.
Unless the room/mugs are cold, I would let the press drop to just 150 before putting the mug in.

I think some members here use a second press set at a static 110 to preheat the mug.

Skye

[Stitch Up]

Thank you Skye, that certainly gives me a starting point

I'll post back when I've experimented a bit.