Images_Digital_Edition_February_2020

www.images-magazine.com FEBRUARY 2020 images 27 TIPS & TECHNIQUES Beta Maxi are traditionally calibrated using contact thermometers called type K thermocouples, which measure temperature in an absolute form and are +/-2°C without correction. These are placed in the press, which is then closed to stabilise, and set at 200°C. Older Adkins Beta Maxi presses are self- calibrating: you put them into calibration mode and they run to 200°C as measured on the type K thermocouple fitted inside the heat plate. You should never adjust any press with an IR thermometer as it will run hot unless you have the emissivity data to correct for the heat plate surface. Expensive IR guns come with tables to help, but the DIY ones we’ve come across do not have correction tables. If you need to test the temperature of your press, always use a contact thermometer. Choosing the right press Clam-style presses If space is at a premium and you’re hoping to place your heat press in the corner of the room, then a clam press is probably going to be the best option. Clam presses take up a lot less space than swing-away presses, but are notorious for giving inconsistent garments/products per day – I would strongly recommend that they opt for an automatic. A pneumatic press, combined with a compressor or the print shop’s own air supply, will deliver a consistent production speed and will help to reduce fatigue for the operator throughout the working day. Do your homework Before you go out and buy your new heat press, make sure you do your homework. Find a heat press that has the key elements needed for quality and reliability, and make sure you’re clear on what you’re using it for so you get a model that suits your needs. Avoid poor quality imports where the risk of injury to the operator could have dramatic consequences should your business be found to be negligent. Does the supplier or manufacturer offer warranty? Does it provide support and training? And always make sure that your press conforms to the relevant European Health and Safety standards and legislation. The long and short of it is – you get what you pay for. www.themagictouch.co.uk pressure. Be sure the press levels out before closing to ensure perfectly even pressure throughout. Only in recent years have clam presses been improved and modified to ensure even pressure. Many of the earlier clam designs provided only a very small space towards the back of the platen for users’ hands, which could lead to them touching the heat platen with their fingers or the back of their hand. Presses like the HTP123, which has a pull-out draw function, make access a lot easier and safer. Swing-away presses These give unobstructed access to the entire platen without having to worry about burning fingers or hands on the upper element. Also, with a swing-away, the heat is kept away from the user’s face, reducing the risk of injury or accident. Most of the higher-end presses have the option of interchangeable platens, which allows users to press sleeves, collars, bags and shoes with ease. However, a swing press takes up more space than a clam-style press – normally around one sqm. Manual press vs pneumatic press If a business has medium to high volume production levels – ie more than 100