New products for new industries

Like all forward thinking businesses, Brown is continually looking for new markets to expand into.  Where can we take the knowledge we possess and apply it to other areas that will expand our revenue?  This process needs to be an expansion, not an overreach.  New products and ideas that can be explored with some risk but without exposing the core business.  This is the premise that allowed for the creation of the FireFly™ which has moved us into the direct-to-garment industry and given us connection into other decorated products.  One of the newest ventures is into curing UV printed items.

The introduction of the Vega™ UV/led curing system was a quiet launch last fall.  BrownDigital created this system by combining our knowledge of UV lighting, our knowledge of printing and the software capabilities from the FireFly™.  In addition we have combined the Vega and the FireFly to allow for curing of any substrate at any time.  This is groundbreaking.

Vega

For those in the textile printing world, UV printing is alien.  The process is similar, still screen printing and the inks do not air dry, just like plastisol.  However, the curing properties are very different.  UV inks cure with the direct application of UV light.  The light must be at a specific point in the spectrum and distance will alter the intensity.  Production speed is much higher than textile and specifications are rigid.

The Vega offers UV/led light modules in both 365NM and 395NM. The light modules are available separately so that they can be installed onto existing curing lines or as a full curing unit with software or combined with the FireFly for a multi-functional curing production system.  The variety allows for the Vega to fit into any shop.

Vega with FireFly

The software for the Vega is similar to what is on the FireFly and when the two machines are paired, it is a combined system so that both curing units are displayed on the Linx™ Command Center.  This software allows for 36 saved program profiles, 18 stored maintenance tasks and built in diagnostics.  A complete set of controls at your fingertips.

The Vega moved Brown into new markets and introduced us to new customers.  Maybe Brown can help you move into the world of UV printing.  Contact us today for additional information.

New technology coming to SGIA

SGIA is approaching fast and our engineering staff is working on new and innovative technology for introduction at this event.  With advancement in curing, lighting and software, there is a whirr of activity surrounding the entire department.  So what new items will you see?

Beginning at the manual machinery, the Set-N-Go™ preregistration system for the MasterPrinter™ now comes equipped with the LED pinpoint lighting system that has been an integral part of the system on the ElectraPrint™ automatic textile printers  These LED indicators light up when the screen is in the proper position, giving confirmation to the operator that the screen is ready to secure.  Speed, simplicity and accuracy are the keys to this great product.







Also in the manual printing line, Brown has re-issued the ShortStop™ athletic numbering system.  This is an attachment for a MasterPrinter or for any rear clamping carousel press.  This system prints 2-color digits of 4", 6", 8" 10" and 12" numbers with the speed typical of rotary load presses.  Set up a team name, and print numbers in one shirt load using a standard flash.  If you need to print athletic numbers, Brown has the solutions to fit your shop.

In the automatic printing category, the Anaconda™ is a new and unique product.  This is a completely new concept in flash curing.  It combines the compression heat of a transfer press with the speed of automatic printing.  Imagine a flash cure that flattens the fibers into the underbase and flashes in just a few seconds. It gives the print a crisp look without sacrificing production speed.  This is the Anaconda.  Revolutionary.

Lastly, the curing world is ever changing.  With the development of the FireFly™ we have learned much about curing situations around the globe.  The advancements in LED lighting technology allowed the development of the Vega™.  Similar to the FireFly in its versatility, the Vega is a LED curing system for UV ink systems.  This system can be purchased for pre-existing curing lines, combined with a FireFly or installed as an independent system.  LED is the forefront of UV curing solutions and the Vega with Linx™ Integration Software is the leader in innovation.

SGIA is the event for presentation of new and innovative products.  We are excited to introduce all of these and give hand-on demonstrations of our full line of machinery in booth 2147.  See you in Las Vegas!

New and renew for 2015

2015 was a great ride.

That is a heading that all businesses hope to post at the end of each year.  We can say that every year, however, 2015 has been unusual and especially exciting.  We expanded product lines, client demographics and industries affected.  We learned new technologies, new customer requirements and new industrial applications.  All of this is refreshing and inspiring us for 2016.

Expanded and enhanced products.

FY2x27-45 curing system

FireFly™ Curing Systems.

These units continue to excite the industry with their innovation and applications into multiple curing situations.  These machines are unique in their design because they are the only curing system using thermal imaging camera to constantly monitor the substrate to maintain perfect surface temperature.  These units offer proprietary software technology for immediate regulation of temperature and time calculations for optimal cure.  Amazing patent pending technology.

LED2931SD exposure unit

LED Exposure systems.

What excites our sales staff is that our engineers did not just accept off-the-shelf LED bulbs and build an exposure system.  They spent time analyzing bulb spectrum, distances and optimal designs so that our LED exposure unit offers the optimal light usage for our industrial requirements.  LED bulbs create perfect exposures with no heat, no bulb fade and years of consistency.  These have changed the time spent in prepress and moved this industry forward.

NumberPrinter™.

NP611LL with NPQ1218 

The NumberPrinter has been a patented mainstay of our business for over 25 years.  This is the premium numbering system in the industry.  Brown has enhanced this product with the addition of Sniper LazerLoad™ technology.  The operator now has laser registration lines on the platen for quicker load of all garments.  These laser can be adjusted to accommodate all numbering spacing specifications.  

New customers.

The FireFly has allowed us to connect with companies that produce other products besides screen printed garments. With the features of this software, other curing applications have been presented as challenges in industrial settings.  These have been fun and interesting puzzles to solve and we look forward to what the future will bring.

New products.

The Vega™ was presented at SGIA.  Shown was a prototype UV curing system using LED bulb technology.  This unit is still in the development stage however the customer interest is very high.  Entering the UV curing market has our engineering staff excited to learn more and design new.  We look forward to where this product line will lead us in 2016.

2016, so what's next.

We are please to say that our sales and engineering staff is full of creative people who want to design new products and expand into new industries.  So keep watch for the new and interesting.

What will not change is our commitment to our customers.  Brown Mfg was built on its relationship with community printers.  We value our past customers with the same enthusiasm as we look forward to new connections.   We look forward to serving all of our customer's needs and expectations in 2016 and in the coming years.  

We wish the same success that we have enjoyed for all of our customers and look forward to discussing how Brown can help your business innovate, expand and grow.

SGIA Product of the Year and Product introduction

SGIA Expo is going on as I write.  It is the largest show in the United States for specialty graphics.  This show is very diverse in its offerings and its reach.  It features printing for circuit boards, shirts, signage and many other challenging substrates.  The attendees that walk the floor are international and can have much of this product diversity within their own production environment.  It is often where new products are introduced and changing technologies are discussed.

Vega™ LEDuv curing system

This is our first venture into UV curing systems.  With the advent of LED technology and our FireFly software we have taken our 30+ years of printing experience into a new realm.  UV printing is an untouched area of decoration for our machinery line.  

However, many of our staff have years of understand of printing and ink systems.  Combining this knowledge of UV inks and our engineers LED light technology Brown Manufacturing Group has developed the Vega line of LEDuv curing systems.  This is a first offering of this product and details are to follow.  However, this is an exciting expansion of the Brown product line and we look forward to meeting new customers within this industry.

SGIA Product of the Year

Also at this expo, SGIA offers Product of the Year categories.  The awards have been presented to an impressive array of products.  The FireFly™ and the Linx™ products were contenders in their respective competitions and we think that their money and time saving technology should have placed them near the top.

FireFly Product of the Year presentation

Linx Product of the Year presentation

These product lines have presented exciting challenges and new adventures to the Brown staff.  Our years of printing experience have aided in our understanding of constant change curing requirements within a production environment.  Our engineer's thorough understanding of curing technology is shown in all aspects of the design of the FireFly.


Our 2015 show season closes on a high note with the SGIA experience.  We look forward to the months ahead where we can expand our understanding of the UV production environment and the special needs that those curing systems require.  Our FireFly technology will continue to advance as we deliver new units and new curing challenges are presented.  We look forward to the show season of 2016 and to showing the customers from those regional markets all of the new possibilities that Brown has to offer.