Offset Printing
Instant Numbering System Fits Any Rear Clamp Manual Press
Monday 08. June 2009 - An all-new DiGiTTM instant numbering system from Vastex converts any rear-clamp manual screen printing press with 2 to 10 stations into a high-performance yet economical athletic numbering press in 20 seconds, according to Mark Vasilantone, president.
The system uses two standard-size screens, each with five numbers. Each screen is clamped into one of two sliding rail assemblies secured by the rear screen clamps on any manual press.
Both sliding rail assemblies have a roller bearing with detents and a yellow target arrow allowing the operator to slide the screen left or right, and simply push down to lock the desired number in place, ready to print. The detents also allow quick removal of extra space between number 1 and the adjacent number, as well as shifting/centering of the entire two-digit number on the shirt.
The two-station system, DiGiT V2NS-8, accommodates a pair of 23″ x 31″ screens containing both 6″ and 4″ numbers, or a pair of 23″ x 38″ screens containing 8″ numbers.
An additional set of rail assemblies can be added to 4-, 8- and 10-station presses to print number outlines in a second color.
According to the company, one operator can print up to 60, 2-digit shirts per hour in one color, or up to 40 in two colors. Two operators can print up to 120, 2-digit shirts per hour in one color, or up to 60 in two colors.
The sliding screens can also be used for printing of other variable graphics such as team names, sponsor names and chest images, while press stations not being used for variable printing can be used with regular screens in normal fashion, or as loading/unloading stations.
In addition to DiGiT rail assemblies, the company offers exposed screens, blank screens and film positives. “Because numbers 0 through 9 are divided between two screens of standard sizes, screen printers can save money by exposing their own screens using positives available from Vastex,” says Vasilantone.
V2NS-8 system rail assemblies, numbering screens, screen positives, squeegees and squeegee rest tubes can be purchased as components, or as complete packages starting at $895 with numbering screens and $595 without. All are shippable via UPS.
A system for printing numbers up to 12″ is expected shortly.