Alpha's Tetra Stencil System

I am looking into Alpha's system, and would appreciate some feedback from anybody using it currently. I am concerned about about the life expectancy of the foils if they are clamped and unclamped every couple of days, and what happens if one of the apertures which the comb fits into gets bent. Also, have foils been damaged more frequently becuase of this process. Does this system work as well as traditional frames, and provide a big space savings ?

Lastly, I know Alpha has been buying other companies with years of experience making stencils to increase their knowledge base. How is their accuracy and reliability for laser cut stencils?

Thanks for your help.

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We have been using Alpha Tetra/DEK Vector for the last 3 years. Prior to that we were using mesh on frame. We do about 15 job changes a day and our main runners are loaded about 4 times per week. In the three years we have been using the system we have only had a couple of stencils that have needed replacing. In both cases somebody decided to test the screen tension by bouncing the squeegee assembly on it! Needless to say the resulting dent did nothing for the print quality. Occasionally the comb can get bent but this is a rare occurance and can easily be rectified with a pair of pliers. In my opinion the system works much better than traditional frames. Benefits include: 1.You do not have any problems with cleaning temperature/ solution softening the glue. 2.The difference in storage space is enormous (we hold about 100 "live" screens). 3.There is no frame inventory to worry about or returning old issues to your supplier for refurb. If I had to list any disadvantages they would be. 1. Frame + foil assembly is heavier than a conventional frame, we use 21" square and all our operators can handle it OK. Larger versions may be a problem. 2. Screen alignment on a manual printer would be more difficult as you cannot see the PCB as easily as through a mesh. (we use optical alignment so no worries there) 3. Edges are sharp so highlight this issue to your operators

Alpha have just bought Chemtech. a leading UK independant foil manufacturer. As far as quality is concerned in my experience there are no worries on that front.

Once you change over to frameless system you will wonder why you waited so long. Just do it!

| I am looking into Alpha's system, and would appreciate some feedback from anybody using it currently. I am concerned about about the life expectancy of the foils if they are clamped and unclamped every couple of days, and what happens if one of the apertures which the comb fits into gets bent. Also, have foils been damaged more frequently becuase of this process. Does this system work as well as traditional frames, and provide a big space savings ? | | Lastly, I know Alpha has been buying other companies with years of experience making stencils to increase their knowledge base. How is their accuracy and reliability for laser cut stencils? | | Thanks for your help. |

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| We have been using Alpha Tetra/DEK Vector for the last 3 years. Prior to that we were using mesh on frame. | We do about 15 job changes a day and our main runners are loaded about 4 times per week. In the three years we have been using the system we have only had a couple of stencils that have needed replacing. In both cases somebody decided to test the screen tension by bouncing the squeegee assembly on it! Needless to say the resulting dent did nothing for the print quality. | Occasionally the comb can get bent but this is a rare occurance and can easily be rectified with a pair of pliers. | In my opinion the system works much better than traditional frames. Benefits include: | 1.You do not have any problems with cleaning temperature/ solution softening the glue. | 2.The difference in storage space is enormous (we hold about 100 "live" screens). | 3.There is no frame inventory to worry about or returning old issues to your supplier for refurb. | If I had to list any disadvantages they would be. | 1. Frame + foil assembly is heavier than a conventional frame, we use 21" square and all our operators can handle it OK. Larger versions may be a problem. | 2. Screen alignment on a manual printer would be more difficult as you cannot see the PCB as easily as through a mesh. (we use optical alignment so no worries there) | 3. Edges are sharp so highlight this issue to your operators | | Alpha have just bought Chemtech. a leading UK independant foil manufacturer. As far as quality is concerned in my experience there are no worries on that front. | | Once you change over to frameless system you will wonder why you waited so long. Just do it! | | | I am looking into Alpha's system, and would appreciate some feedback from anybody using it currently. I am concerned about about the life expectancy of the foils if they are clamped and unclamped every couple of days, and what happens if one of the apertures which the comb fits into gets bent. Also, have foils been damaged more frequently becuase of this process. Does this system work as well as traditional frames, and provide a big space savings ? | | | | Lastly, I know Alpha has been buying other companies with years of experience making stencils to increase their knowledge base. How is their accuracy and reliability for laser cut stencils? | | | | Thanks for your help. | | | | Anyone have Alphas phone number for this product, i would like to do some research on it. Thanks

wayne

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| I am looking into Alpha's system, and would appreciate some feedback from anybody using it currently. I am concerned about about the life expectancy of the foils if they are clamped and unclamped every couple of days, and what happens if one of the apertures which the comb fits into gets bent. Also, have foils been damaged more frequently becuase of this process. Does this system work as well as traditional frames, and provide a big space savings ? | | Lastly, I know Alpha has been buying other companies with years of experience making stencils to increase their knowledge base. How is their accuracy and reliability for laser cut stencils? | | Thanks for your help. | The system almost is bullet proof save some blown rubbers. The foils are of excellent quality as well they should be and you can jump up and down on them, whether laser cut or not, and do little damage.

I've done everything I can to bust the things. Hasn't happened so far. Operators don't like the weight, but are undergoing rigorous weight training, or not.

Earl Moon

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| | We have been using Alpha Tetra/DEK Vector for the last 3 years. Prior to that we were using mesh on frame. | | We do about 15 job changes a day and our main runners are loaded about 4 times per week. In the three years we have been using the system we have only had a couple of stencils that have needed replacing. In both cases somebody decided to test the screen tension by bouncing the squeegee assembly on it! Needless to say the resulting dent did nothing for the print quality. | | Occasionally the comb can get bent but this is a rare occurance and can easily be rectified with a pair of pliers. | | In my opinion the system works much better than traditional frames. Benefits include: | | 1.You do not have any problems with cleaning temperature/ solution softening the glue. | | 2.The difference in storage space is enormous (we hold about 100 "live" screens). | | 3.There is no frame inventory to worry about or returning old issues to your supplier for refurb. | | If I had to list any disadvantages they would be. | | 1. Frame + foil assembly is heavier than a conventional frame, we use 21" square and all our operators can handle it OK. Larger versions may be a problem. | | 2. Screen alignment on a manual printer would be more difficult as you cannot see the PCB as easily as through a mesh. (we use optical alignment so no worries there) | | 3. Edges are sharp so highlight this issue to your operators | | | | Alpha have just bought Chemtech. a leading UK independant foil manufacturer. As far as quality is concerned in my experience there are no worries on that front. | | | | Once you change over to frameless system you will wonder why you waited so long. Just do it! | | | | | I am looking into Alpha's system, and would appreciate some feedback from anybody using it currently. I am concerned about about the life expectancy of the foils if they are clamped and unclamped every couple of days, and what happens if one of the apertures which the comb fits into gets bent. Also, have foils been damaged more frequently becuase of this process. Does this system work as well as traditional frames, and provide a big space savings ? | | | | | | Lastly, I know Alpha has been buying other companies with years of experience making stencils to increase their knowledge base. How is their accuracy and reliability for laser cut stencils? | | | | | | Thanks for your help. | | | | | | | | Anyone have Alphas phone number for this product, i would like to do some research on it. Thanks | | wayne | I don't know which Alpha plant manufacturers Tetra but these numbers should put you on the path: Customer service = 800/748-2033 California plant = 408/562-2033 New Jersey plant = 201/324-3607 happy hunting - John Thorup

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| | We have been using Alpha Tetra/DEK Vector for the last 3 years. Prior to that we were using mesh on frame. | | We do about 15 job changes a day and our main runners are loaded about 4 times per week. In the three years we have been using the system we have only had a couple of stencils that have needed replacing. In both cases somebody decided to test the screen tension by bouncing the squeegee assembly on it! Needless to say the resulting dent did nothing for the print quality. | | Occasionally the comb can get bent but this is a rare occurance and can easily be rectified with a pair of pliers. | | In my opinion the system works much better than traditional frames. Benefits include: | | 1.You do not have any problems with cleaning temperature/ solution softening the glue. | | 2.The difference in storage space is enormous (we hold about 100 "live" screens). | | 3.There is no frame inventory to worry about or returning old issues to your supplier for refurb. | | If I had to list any disadvantages they would be. | | 1. Frame + foil assembly is heavier than a conventional frame, we use 21" square and all our operators can handle it OK. Larger versions may be a problem. | | 2. Screen alignment on a manual printer would be more difficult as you cannot see the PCB as easily as through a mesh. (we use optical alignment so no worries there) | | 3. Edges are sharp so highlight this issue to your operators | | | | Alpha have just bought Chemtech. a leading UK independant foil manufacturer. As far as quality is concerned in my experience there are no worries on that front. | | | | Once you change over to frameless system you will wonder why you waited so long. Just do it! | | | | | I am looking into Alpha's system, and would appreciate some feedback from anybody using it currently. I am concerned about about the life expectancy of the foils if they are clamped and unclamped every couple of days, and what happens if one of the apertures which the comb fits into gets bent. Also, have foils been damaged more frequently becuase of this process. Does this system work as well as traditional frames, and provide a big space savings ? | | | | | | Lastly, I know Alpha has been buying other companies with years of experience making stencils to increase their knowledge base. How is their accuracy and reliability for laser cut stencils? | | | | | | Thanks for your help. | | | | | | | | Anyone have Alphas phone number for this product, i would like to do some research on it. Thanks | | wayne | Hi Wayne, you can find everything you need to know at www.alphastencil.com, just click on the Tetra button. call one of the numbers listed by John T if you want a demo at your site.

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