Lawson SSR Registration System Instructions Quick on-press registration -- because the SSR System mimics your press. Overview p.2 Instructions p.2 Pin Bar System p.7 314-382-9300 FAX 314382-3012 revised July 2004 Page 1
Overview Line-up and hold the positive with the SSR grid and vacuum Place the frame against the stops that mimic the press. Positive in exact position for press Remember - Tape sticking up. Rub the tape Off to the exposure unit This simple system uses the registration marks on your existing film positives or you can add special registration marks just for the SSR System Grid without special adapter or carrier sheets. The SSR has a vacuum that holds your positive in position on the layout table, while you press your unexposed screen against it and tape on the positive sticks to the bottom of the screen, holding it in perfect position as you expose it. Instructions for the Lawson SSR Registration System Step 1: Your goal is to get the platen, shirt, screen and art to line up on top of each other like a sandwich. Determine where you want your design to be positioned on the shirt. The print location on the shirt and platen edge determines where you position the image in the screen Try to load all shirts to the edge of the platen and you will create a standard method of location. Knowing how far from the neck of the shirt you will print, and then using a centerline on the platen, screen and positives for reference is critical. The centerline and centering scales on the SSR Grid will help you.. 314-382-9300 FAX 314382-3012 revised July 2004 Page 2
The SSR Grid is laid out in ½ increments so you will have to estimate or draw temporary marks on the grid with a grease pencil, dry marker or china marker if you want to locate an image more accurately At the press, measure the distance from the end of the screen (where it clamps into the press) and the end of the platen that you load the shirts to. Reproduce that measurement on your SSR Grid. Measure press head to end of platen. Duplicate on the SSR grid. Trace the outline of your platen on the SSR. 314-382-9300 FAX 314382-3012 revised July 2004 Page 3
Step 2: Each positive has toner or camera emulsion on one side of the positive. For the most accurate image that toner has to go directly against the stencil when you expose it. Place 2 pieces of clear removable tape on the positives sticky side up with half on the positive and half overhanging the edge so it can stick to the stencil when you position it. Toner or emulsion up Sticky tape up. Step 3: Align the register mark(s) or centerlines on the positive to intersections on the grid that will position your design on the screen at the desired location. Once aligned, start the vacuum. This holds the positive in place as you place the screen in position. Register target at grid intersection Step 4: The center of the positive and SSR grid should line up with the center of the screen. Adjust the movable frame stops, so you can push your screen against the stop and the center of the screen lines up with the center of the SSR. Push your screen against the stops and gently lay it on the positive. The positive won t move because the vacuum will hold it in place. Rub the tape on the positive through the stencil so it sticks to the bottom. Turn off the vacuum and double check the positive. Adjust the stops Position and rub the tape 314-382-9300 FAX 314382-3012 revised July 2004 Page 4
Step 5: If you ever have to make these screens over, they will be positioned exactly in the same place Expose and process the screens in the usual manner. Step 6: Repeat steps 2 through 5 for each screen/color in a job. Always use the same grid intersection or marks for each design. Align images to the left for crest designs, higher for panel printing or rotated for multi-use screens. When in doubt, circle the intersection on the grid with a grease pencil or dry marker that rubs off later. After all screens have been exposed and prepared, you are ready for press set-up. Step 7: The SSR comes with a film positive that matches the SSR Layout Grid. Spray adhesive on platen and position your film grid (or optional aluminum grid). Position it so your measurement from the back of the screen holder to the end of the platen, is placed at the end of the platen. The centerline of the grid should align with the center of the platen and the end of the platen should line up with your mark for the edge of the platen. It can be placed anywhere top to bottom, but should match the positioning used with the screen-aligning unit. Use razor blade to trim excess film from around the edges of the platen. Grid positive on the platen 314-382-9300 FAX 314382-3012 revised July 2004 Page 5
Step 8: Place each screen loosely in the frame clamps and visually position your register marks to the nearest intersection on grid or where you have decided the design should go. Note: this position (i.e. grid intersection location) will be used for all of the screens. Place the screen in the press just like on the SSR. Step 9: Tighten screen clamps. If your screen moves during clamping at the last second because of torque (which usually happens) loosen the clamp slightly and use the grid as a visual guide to move the screen into position. That s it you are now ready to print in register! Tip: While tightening the clamp knob(s), hold the frame down as you turn the knob. This will minimize potential screen movement. Fits in each press head just like the SSR Layout Table 314-382-9300 FAX 314382-3012 revised July 2004 Page 6
Using Pin Bars with the SSR System The SSR Master Grid is fitted with pins that match a Pin Bar that is mounted on your press. Be sure to center the pin bar to the center of the screen. See Step 4. Pin Bars fit precisely on the pins. Always place the drilled hole on the left side and the slot on the right. To mount the bar on your frames, clamp the bar to the frame. 1) Be sure not to place the bar in a binding position due to clamping. (see next section for more detailed instructions on pinframe mounting) 2) Note the flatness of the screen. Sometimes it is best to turn the frame 180 to get a better screen position. Rear yoke frame holders must be machined so the pins on the press can stick up high enough. Manual or auto presses with side clamps don't need any special fitting. Place the screen pin bar onto the pin system. Note: The Height of the pin guide will need to be adjusted for the initial set-up. Be sure the bar covers the entire pin. Rotate the carousel arm to each print head to set your screens. You must keep the pin system in the same place per job set-up. Be sure to rotate the pins out of the way after setup. The pins will be damaged if left in the set-up position during production. 314-382-9300 FAX 314382-3012 revised July 2004 Page 7
Installing Speed-Pin Bar to Frame Instructions: Congratulations on your purchase of the Lawson Speed-Pin Register System. Be sure to follow all the steps for installing the Speed-Pin Bar to your existing screens. If the Speed-Pin Bar is not mounted on the screen correctly, the system will be out of registration. 1. Lawson SSR Vacuum Pre-Press Device 2. Alignment pin and support bolt. Photos 1 & 2 show the registration pins on the Lawson SSR Vacuum Pre-Press Device. The Speed-Pin Bar (also called the bar) should be placed on these pins, as the first step. The slot on the bar should be placed on the right hand side of the screen. Notice the bar being installed on Photo 3, and resting in place in Photo 4 3. Position Pin Bar on Pins 4. Pin Bar in position for attaching to frame 314-382-9300 FAX 314382-3012 revised July 2004 Page 8
5. Mark center of the Pin Bar and screen 6. Screen clamps holding the Speed-Pin Bar Next, place the center of the screen on the center of the pin-bar. Photo 5: Mark the center of the screen as shown with arrow A, with a thin line and also mark the center of the pin-bar. If your screens have the same outside dimensions, the use of the screen guide stop as indicated in arrow B could be used for faster centering production. Photo 6: shows the screen clamps holding the Speed-Pin Bar with the screen frame. The nylon bolts need to be tightened so that two regular c-clamps can be installed without the shifting of the bar placement. Photo 7: After the screen is removed from the pins, install the c-clamps. Photo 8: shows loosening the clamp with an open-end wrench so it can be removed. 7. C-Clamps hold Pin Bar for drilling 8. Loosening the clamp with an open-end wrench 314-382-9300 FAX 314382-3012 revised July 2004 Page 9
9. Center Punch frame for accuracy 10. Drill pilot holes With the bar secure, center punch the alignment hole placements and then, as shown in the next photo, drill the pilot 3/32 holes. The reason behind the center punching the location and drilling a pilot hole is when the screw is installed, the screw placement will not drift and change the bar's location. Remember that if the bar is not placed in the same position with each frame, both centered and flat with the screen, the system will not work, as designed. On wood frames, use a flat head wood screw (#10 x 1 ). For metal frames, use self-tapping metal flat head screws (#10-16 x 1 TEK self-tapping). 11. Screw in self-tapping screws 12. Finished 314-382-9300 FAX 314382-3012 revised July 2004 Page 10