Cleanliness is the first maintenance task for every machine

Our service department often is asked what the maintenance requirements are for any and all of the machinery we manufacture.  We appreciate machine owner's desire to keep their investment in peak condition for maximum production and long life.  For some of our products, the maintenance list is quite low as are the suggested stocking parts.  However, as the complication of the machine increases so does the upkeep. 

Many long standing customers will brag that they have kept their machines in proper working condition for 20+ years.  While this is a testament to the design and durability of these machines it is also a good determinate of the condition of the shop.  Well maintained, but could use some updating. So, as we do appreciate the compliments and understand the owners pride of ownership, there is benefit from keeping updated tools in your shop.

Returning to the question of maintenance requirements, as machines increase in complexity the list of daily, weekly, monthly and bi-annual tasks gets longer.  These tasks will be noted in the manual that is provided with the equipment.  If the machine is equipped with computers, then maintenance tasks are available within the software and reminders for mechanical maintenance can be preset.  The use of this software feature is very helpful in managing all of the essential tasks.  Some customers use this software to schedule additional tasks within the production floor for non-computer driven devices.

The number one maintenance task for any production floor is cleanliness.  

Textile decoration as an industry is inherently dirty.  The lint from fabric floats through everything and the production processes typically require liquids that are sticky.  So lint and fibers will get stuck to everything.  The lint will also adhere to any greased or lubricated surface of a machine.  And it will get pulled into fans, fan belts and chain drive systems.  So let's see chat about havoc that can create.

• Electronics will overheat and malfunction due to clogged fans
• Electronic connections will degrade due to lint interference 
• Lubricated surfaces which allow for smooth machine movement will get clogged, affecting print quality and machine operation
• Conveyor belts will wear faster and will transfer dirt and debris onto the final product
• Registration and indexing systems will become inconsistent due to dirt and debris and this will affect registration
• And machinery aside, what employee wants to work in a dirty shop.  And employees are a production floors most expensive and important asset.

How clean do we suggest?  Lint free is the key.

How do you  keep a garment decorating shop lint free.  You do it by making cleanliness a top priority on the floor.  Cleanliness makes for happier employees and fewer shut downs which will increase production and profits.

The good, the bad and the ugly.

Let's start with the simplest items, fan filters.  These are designed for easy on/off.  And they are used to keep the electronic cabinet fans clear of debris so that they can move cool air across the electronic components.

Then we can move to the fans.  Whether in the control cabinets or used to move air in and out of a curing chamber, they are essential to the design and function of your equipment.

Now what does all this do to internal components?  Electronic components shut down when they are too hot.  Being covered with lint will cause this.  Relays will fail, switches will stop communicating and thermal cameras will shut down.  Production stops.

What about the chassis and the mechanical items.  They appear to be pushing through but are they?  Or are you setting them up to fail?  And there are no GOODs here.  Seriously, yuck.

And what employee wants to touch these?  And if they do, how do they touch fresh garments and ship them completely clean?  

Ok, we think we have made the issue clear.

So this week, at the end of a work day, pick something and clean it.  Start with wiping down the outside, both the controls and the chassis.  Then get a vacuum and clean out the internal controls.  The whole job should take 20 minutes.  Then another day, pick another machine.  Go through the whole shop and clean everything.

Next time we will chat about those preset maintenance items available in your software.

Used versus Reconditioned. What's the difference?

One thing that 2020 has created is opportunity.  No, we don't hear that very often right now, but 2020 created expansion in some sectors.  The POD (print on demand) market is exploding and that benefits the direct to garment decorator.  Masks are a new product all-together with a need for everyone to own many, so corporate branding is essential on these.  This benefits both the DTG printer as well as the direct screen printer.  

One other market that is growing is the used equipment market.  With the rapid shifting in the global economy, many printers are dumping their current machines due to loss of business or change of direction.  These machines are both manual and automatic printers and curing systems for large and small. Much of the local business is still available and new small printers are looking at that opportunity with the idea low overhead by working without store fronts or from home.

Do you buy Used?

Used machines are like used cars.  They are being sold for a reason.  And even when the current owner says, "it ran great yesterday" there are issues.  Many times these issues are easily fixed if the cost of the machine is within budget.  When buying, each machine type has different functionality to pay attention to.

Manual Printers

When looking at manual printers, most things are fixable at reasonable cost.  Just make sure the cost of the press is minimal.

• Are the platens in good condition?
• How clean is it?
• Do the print heads come down and seat tight within the registration gate?  And if not, is the gate adjustable?
• Do the micros work?
• Are the head lifts strong, springs or gas shocks?  And if not, are they still available?

Automatic Printers

When looking at auto printers, replacement parts are costlier.  Also, if you have never set one up and want a tech, make sure one is available and that you are aware of that cost.  Covid-19 has limited travel and increased these prices.

• Are the platens in good condition?
• How clean is it?
• Do the print heads come down and seat tight within the registration gate?  And if not, is the gate adjustable?
• Do the micros work?
• Are the motors or air cylinders in good condition?  This can be a very expensive fix.
• Are there squeegee and floodbar sets?
• Does the flash work and what power is required?
• If this is an air driven machine, do you have the power to run the compressor?

Curing Systems

Dryers are the mainstay of production.  Used ones are available everywhere.  And these are tricky to determine if they are fully functioning.

• How clean is it?
• Do all the heaters turn on?
• Does the belt run and how old is the drive assembly?
• What is the condition of the belt?
• Does the air system function?
• Does the oven have digital controls?  If so, these are more expensive to repair.
• Is this manufacturer still in business?  If not, replacement heaters will be difficult to find.

What does Reconditioned mean and is it worth the cost difference?

Reconditioned machinery from Brown has been inspected from top to bottom.  We will admit that we do not clean used machines as we do not want to charge for labor that the end customer can do themselves.  However, all machines are inspected and repaired for all specifications.  Parts that are marginal are replaced.  Wiring in all ovens is inspected and replaced, if necessary, through the heater rack and into the controls.  Heaters and motors are replaced if they are not functioning.  Control panels are rewired and updated to current technology.  

What is all of this worth?  That is up to the buyer.  Our machines are more money than used ones.  However, we know they will work when you get them and Brown provides a 30 day warranty on the complete machine as well as a 1 year on any item we replaced.  That is a reassurance that pays off in production time and your potential profits.

If you are looking at a used machine, contact us to see if that machine is priced where it should be.  Ask us for the potential repair parts costs.  And then see if we have a comparable item that is reconditioned.  You can determine what value that is to you  But we believe that downtime costs more than any up-charge of refurbished.

Reconditioned equipment might be right for you

On a regular basis we take machinery in on trade.  Many customers want new machines because they outgrow or are expanding.  Many, like new car owners, prefer not to spend time on repairs.  The opportunity this presents to others is the availability of quality merchandise at lower prices.  Some of the machines we receive are in perfect condition, like the one in the photo.  Many are pretty rough.  However, all of them are checked over by our staff and are fully functional.

What does fully functional mean?  

For ovens we make sure that all the heaters, motors, fans and electronics work as they were designed.  If there is a part not functioning, new parts are installed.  Many ovens come to us with outdated temperature controls.  We install newer style electronics in most conveyors so that future parts replacement is easier for the buyer.  Also, this gives tighter regulation to the heat in the chamber and makes these a reliable unit for any production shop.

For printers, registration is the key.  We repair any registration issues with the print heads and registration gates.  We make sure that any micro registration on the press is moving freely and holds firm in the final location.  We replace any damaged parts such as platens and knobs and we grease all the moving parts for ease of use.  

What do we not do?

We do not spend much time cleaning machines.  We knock off dirt and rub off much of the ugly stuff.  We make sure that the essential parts of he machinery are clean and functioning.  However, shines and new they are not.  We believe that you do not want to pay for the time it would take our people to wipe down and buff an machine.  Cost of the machine is as important as functionality.  

So what do we have?

The inventory of reconditioned machinery is very fluid.  We receive items every time our trucks go on installations and we sell items every day.  Our web site is updated on a regular basis when new items arrive.  Check out the list.  If you see something interesting, give us a a call.