Hot plate height
Our hot plates sits at .625 plus .25 copper die type height .875. While this works it is a pain at times since it is .043 inches lower then type high and takes extra packing. I have tried to find a true shim solution but no luck. I do work for a sheet metal products company and got a stainless steel sheet cut but it takes us to .6875 plus .25 copper die height .9375 or .0195 over type high. I guess I am wondering what you think over or under or am I over thinking this all together. Any feed back is appreciated.
I’ll look at my rig tomorrow but if you’re consistently getting jobs done don’t reinvent the wheel.
I rebuilt this plate 2 years ago but it was missing the backer plate and I knew it was low. Right now I am 10 sheets of 20lb bond low or with the new backer 4 sheets high. I don’t know which is worse. I do have some polyester glass board but I am not sure if it is designed to stand up to constant heat.
Hi Western411, in the uk 0.04 shim plate is available on Amazon and we can also get brass and magnesium dies 0.275 thick.
We’ve had a piece of phenolic board behind the heat plate for longer than I’ve been at this shop. Final height approx. .655”. We don’t lay ink on the machine however. The plate stays locked up in its own chaise.
Thanks for the feedback. Funny you mention printing with the base. We have an old smaller plate that has a different hole pattern. We get all of our copper dies bored so all we do is screw them down, no bunter post to fool with. We have a computer file that footprints the two plate together for die boring. We can can switch dies with exact position very quickly. One of my goals is to better improve utility between the 2 plates. I want to take two dies and print with one and switch to foil and hot stamp with other other die. Frank, thanks for the Amazon idea. I checked and can see what they have. Pdan, I was wondering about the phenolic board as well. I know it works for setup but was not sure about using it full time under the plate. Keep sending ideas guys my new years resolution is to create a working idea. I will let you know what I end up doing as well, thanks again
A sheet of phenolic board will help you heat plate get to temperature quicker, as it won’t be trying to heat the press bed and the rest of the press in the process. You may as well permanently attach it to the back of the plate. Keeping everything in its own chase simplifies setup if using the press for work other than foil stamping.
First, thanks for all the feedback. I have found it best to ask for help rather than try an idea and then break something.
Second, I see some names from back in the past. I am glad to see you are still here. My daily fears of are always comforted by combined knowledge you all have. Keep giving me ideas, no idea is a bad idea just a different way to think.