Prepressforums.com

DCurry · #1 (**permalink**) 01-10-2005, 02:43 PM

Just curious what others are doing as far as cleaning and/or maintenance on their platesetters. Up til now, anything I've done to our Lotem has been strictly reactive to a problem, but I'd rather be proactive and get a routine going every week or whatever is needed.

Specifically, there are grooves (channels) on the drum that I'm wondering if I need to wipe or clean perodically, and I'm also concerned about leaving lint on the drum if I wipe it down, or do I even need to do that? Every once in a while I'll get a hotspot on the plate where it looks like something was on the drum preventing the plate from being sucked on flat, and cleaning out the vacuum holes that are in the grooves seems to help. I've asked Creo techs in the past, but can never seem to get a straight or consistent answer from one guy to the next as to what the proper "care and feeding" should be.

geozinger · #2 (**permalink**) 01-11-2005, 09:05 AM

I take a tack cloth, (like the one you used in wood shop class back in high school) and just lightly rub down the drum. It seems to kees the dust down and (I think) helps the plates slide into place. I used to do this same thing with our Lino Herkules, and it really helped to keep the dust down on that particular machine. We have a Cobalt 8 currently, and it has an option to blow compressed air onto your plate as it's imaging to keep dust to a minimum. It's a nice feature.

hoking · #3 (**permalink**) 01-11-2005, 10:55 AM

On our Heidelberg Topsetter102, there is an air filtration system, so the only real maintenance we need to is occasionally wipe the lens with a wipe.

On our Agfa Galileo, we just change out filters and wipe the lens as well.

There really is not that much maintenance work to do, unless you are talking about PROCESSORS, now those things are a @#@$#$. :evil:

UbarW · #4 (**permalink**) 01-12-2005, 08:22 PM

We, too, have an air filtration system. A 3 stage deal, with 90 day, 180 day, and 360 day filters. In addition, we vacuum out the drum with a plastic brush (no metal). Also, every time I service the plate processor, I also make a point of wiping down the spinner mirror with a microfiber cloth.

Not much else, though...

FYI-we have a fuji 9600 saber.

Sparky · #5 (**permalink**) 01-13-2005, 02:48 PM

We have a Printware "PlateStream" that runs 12" wide .008" polyester plates. I have been the sole maintenance person on it since we bought it in 1999. Our plate usage is about 4-5 rolls (279'- 18" per plate) a month and I do a full chemistry change and cleaning at the beginning of each month. (takes about 3 hours) Drain the tanks, pull the racks, drain the sump, scrub with boiling water (well as hot as I can anyway) and power wash the racks with hot water. Every 6 months I calibrate the replenisher pumps (diaphragm type 80cc per plate. Had to go to Target and get 2 bar shot glasses calibrated in ccs and ozs, go figure) the other operators fill the replenisher tanks when needed but other than 1 laser calibration (over the internet by a Printware tech) we've never touched it. We run 75% 2/color work with tight registration and 150lpi the rest is 4/color with a little B&W thrown in.
The only kinks I've had to fix was the punch broke a pin once, and the set screw that keeps the punch bar in line kept coming loose (a little lock-tight fixed that). Lastly was 2 years ago the cutter went out of alignment, turn of a screw and all is well.
We get the occasional plate breakdown, but we're working on a material issue with that.

dlw2x2 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-18-2005, 08:25 AM

We are running a Dimension 400 plate setter with an Anthem water wash to wash the plates once they are imaged. We drain the tanks once a week and rinse them out, then re fill them with water. There is an algae growing in the tanks and on the pumps. Anyone know of a good solution to put in the tanks that will kill the algee, but won't hurt the plates?
One suggestion I got was a table spoon of bleach in each tank. Will that hurt the plates at all? What about an algaeside for like ponds or something that isn't as corrosive as bleach?

#7 (**permalink**) 01-19-2005, 01:28 PM

When we installed our Trendsetters we were imaging on Kodak plates. These seemed to generate a lot of debris. Creo turned us on to these magnetic wiping cloths called Dustbunny. Wiping down the Trendsetter drum when changing over to proofing will cut down on the hotspots.

shivom121 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 04:51 AM

Hello,

I just would wish to have advice that What Risk Used CtP, about 7 to 10 years, buyers have and what precaution to take for Trouble free Operation after Instalation.

Thnking you and Regards.

K.Mehta :shivom121@yahoo.co.in

born2print · #9 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlw2x2

We are running a Dimension 400 plate setter with an Anthem water wash to wash the plates once they are imaged. We drain the tanks once a week and rinse them out, then re fill them with water. There is an algae growing in the tanks and on the pumps. Anyone know of a good solution to put in the tanks that will kill the algee, but won't hurt the plates?
One suggestion I got was a table spoon of bleach in each tank. Will that hurt the plates at all? What about an algaeside for like ponds or something that isn't as corrosive as bleach?

The drop of bleach trick is as old as the ages and is usually OK, we did it with film processors for years, and bleach actually removes emulsion, but it's so dilute that it's OK. You could also drain nightly and rinse and leave to dry with the lid off (unless you run 3 shifts) instead of bleach.
IMO, most gentle algacides and similar products do not work very well, same goes for gardening chemicals, you have better (& cheaper) products in the kitchen and laundry room already!

born2print · #10 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlw2x2

We are running a Dimension 400 plate setter with an Anthem water wash to wash the plates once they are imaged. We drain the tanks once a week and rinse them out, then re fill them with water. There is an algae growing in the tanks and on the pumps. Anyone know of a good solution to put in the tanks that will kill the algee, but won't hurt the plates?
One suggestion I got was a table spoon of bleach in each tank. Will that hurt the plates at all? What about an algaeside for like ponds or something that isn't as corrosive as bleach?

The drop of bleach trick is as old as the ages and is usually OK, we did it with film processors for years, and bleach actually removes emulsion, but it's so dilute that it's OK. You could also drain nightly and rinse and leave to dry with the lid off (unless you run 3 shifts) instead of bleach.
IMO, most gentle algacides and similar products do not work very well, same goes for gardening chemicals, you have better (& cheaper) products in the kitchen and laundry room already!