As a business owner, customer service and lead conversion take most of your time and effort. The last thing you need is to deal with your screen printing machines breaking down. Luckily, with a little bit of thought and some good old-fashioned elbow grease, you won’t have to worry about your equipment failing.
First and foremost, it is important to understand the delicacy of your machine. From the screen to the stencil to the roller, something can easily go wrong, but with these tips and tricks your machine will stay in great condition.
The three major maintenance practices involve location, cleaning, and greasing.
Location
Location, location, location. When it comes to the placement of your machine, it’s all about control. You want to place it somewhere that protects the printhead from drying out. Place it away from fans, heaters, and AC vents. Ideally you want to be able to control the heat and humidity.
Cleaning
The first step in cleaning is to read the manuals section on care and maintenance. It’s not the most riveting read, but it will keep you from accidentally breaking something, and it will keep you from voiding any possible warranty.
Regularly dust the equipment and the area around it. Also, set aside time to properly clean the machine after use. Remove and save leftover ink, then wash the screen. What type of cleaner you need depends on the type of ink that was used. Be sure to use cleaning products made for screen printing.
It is also important to clean the other parts of the machine on a regular basis. Make sure to get the filters, conveyors, feeders, squeegees, belts, and ink delivery system. Isolate each piece on the machine to ensure it is fully cleaned.
It may be necessary to clean the machine while it is operating. When doing this, take all safety precautions possible. Make sure all guards are in place and that the machine is under your control.
Once you finish the cleaning process, check that everything has been properly replaced and that the machine is operational.
Lubrication
In order to keep things moving, oiling certain parts of the machine is necessary. It will improve the smoothness of the moving parts and keep the machine running as efficiently as possible. The first step is to find out what type of oil to use and how often to oil the machine. This information can be found in the owner’s manual. Next, pinpoint the lubrication plugs. Follow manual instructions for oiling and keep track of when you oil the machine. You don’t want to over oil or under oil your equipment.
After oiling, check that everything is functioning properly and all moving parts run smoothly.
Keep these care and maintenance tips in mind when using your equipment and you’ll be ready for business at any time. If for some reason something goes wrong, have a plan of action ready. Know how to fix the basic parts and have someone you can call for the more complicated repairs. Being prepared will save you from a major headache.
But with this maintenance trifecta, you should be all set to print away!
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