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MoonMan and Tetras

#11717

MoonMan and Tetras | 26 April, 1999

Hey MoonMan,

Did I catch in one of your fabulous threads that you're using Tetra stencils? I'm anxious to find out how you're liking them.

We we're all set up to go to Tetras, then mgt decided to close down our factory - Dooop! "Foiled" again! (tee hee - i like puns)

Anyhoo, what's the scoop on the Tetras? I've been discussing the migration to them with the recipients of our manufacturing operations, but we need real input from a real engineer like yourself.

Chrys

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Earl Moon

#11718

Re: MoonMan and Tetras | 26 April, 1999

| Hey MoonMan, | | Did I catch in one of your fabulous threads that you're using Tetra stencils? I'm anxious to find out how you're liking them. | | We we're all set up to go to Tetras, then mgt decided to close down our factory - Dooop! "Foiled" again! (tee hee - i like puns) | | Anyhoo, what's the scoop on the Tetras? I've been discussing the migration to them with the recipients of our manufacturing operations, but we need real input from a real engineer like yourself. | | Chrys | | Yo Chrys baby, mutha,

We are entering into our evaluation/qualification phase attempting to break the little bastards. They just look too damn good to me, but I might have been wrong before though when I don't remember.

They (Alpha) has fixed the so called bladder problems that may have existed before our encounter. The stuff seems robust and very effective while providing near unlimited storage space for our 2500 stencils heretofore taking up massive storage space and automatic systems.

Management jumped on this one because of our consolidation move from Loveland to Spokane. Also, it provides the opportunity to get away from Fuji frames (long on width) and convert to the natural world as DEK frames ensuring a narrow path down the chute.

I'll keep you posted over the next 60 days as we attempt to disprove these things. As a matter of fact, we have a single GSX dedicated to nothing but putting these things through hell and back - maybe.

MoonMan

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Charles Stringer

#11719

Re: MoonMan and Tetras | 27 April, 1999

| | Hey MoonMan, | | | | Did I catch in one of your fabulous threads that you're using Tetra stencils? I'm anxious to find out how you're liking them. | | | | We we're all set up to go to Tetras, then mgt decided to close down our factory - Dooop! "Foiled" again! (tee hee - i like puns) | | | | Anyhoo, what's the scoop on the Tetras? I've been discussing the migration to them with the recipients of our manufacturing operations, but we need real input from a real engineer like yourself. | | | | Chrys | | | | | Yo Chrys baby, mutha, | | We are entering into our evaluation/qualification phase attempting to break the little bastards. They just look too damn good to me, but I might have been wrong before though when I don't remember. | | They (Alpha) has fixed the so called bladder problems that may have existed before our encounter. The stuff seems robust and very effective while providing near unlimited storage space for our 2500 stencils heretofore taking up massive storage space and automatic systems. | | Management jumped on this one because of our consolidation move from Loveland to Spokane. Also, it provides the opportunity to get away from Fuji frames (long on width) and convert to the natural world as DEK frames ensuring a narrow path down the chute. | | I'll keep you posted over the next 60 days as we attempt to disprove these things. As a matter of fact, we have a single GSX dedicated to nothing but putting these things through hell and back - maybe. | | MoonMan | more feedback from a satisfied user......

We have been using DEK Vector (TETRA) for nearly 2 1/2 years now with very few problems. We pruchase about 80 foils a year. Typical life 10k panels/6 months, this is because of design changes/new products not foils wearing out.

To sumarise the + and - of it:

+ve Storage space screen manufacture turnaround (no waiting for glues to cure) Cleaning ( no glue to soften) Alignment (very little movement relative to the board) Robustness ( we have yet to break one, we have dented a few) Cost Can be put into the machine at 90 degrees or even upside down (does your artwork always end up the right way round)

-ve Bladder problems (We have had two repairs in two years in both cases DEK shipped a replacement overnight whiilst ours went away for repair.) Sharp edges Can be put into the machine at 90 degrees or even upside down (do you operators always get it right) Remembering to clean the cr*p off the frame while it is still moveable

We looked at several other systems but they either only stretched on two edges or required additional clips or clamps. In our opinion it was head and shoulders above any of the other systems we looked at in terms of ease of use and robustness.

Because we bought our frame and all our production foils through DEK they threw in the frame for nothing - I am trying to persuade them at the moment that as a loyal customer it's about time they treated me to a new one/ spare.

About 6 months ago DEK switched from etching to laser cut - the arguments for both are well known and I won't fill up bandwidth here except to say that initially we had a few problems with getting half etched fiducails to work however the price didn't change so I ain't complaining. I would not go back to mesh or foil glued to a frame for anybody.

Like Earl we run DEK 265.

If you want to know more - drop me a line

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#11720

Re: MoonMan and Tetras | 27 April, 1999

| | | Hey MoonMan, | | | | | | Did I catch in one of your fabulous threads that you're using Tetra stencils? I'm anxious to find out how you're liking them. | | | | | | We we're all set up to go to Tetras, then mgt decided to close down our factory - Dooop! "Foiled" again! (tee hee - i like puns) | | | | | | Anyhoo, what's the scoop on the Tetras? I've been discussing the migration to them with the recipients of our manufacturing operations, but we need real input from a real engineer like yourself. | | | | | | Chrys | | | | | | | | Yo Chrys baby, mutha, | | | | We are entering into our evaluation/qualification phase attempting to break the little bastards. They just look too damn good to me, but I might have been wrong before though when I don't remember. | | | | They (Alpha) has fixed the so called bladder problems that may have existed before our encounter. The stuff seems robust and very effective while providing near unlimited storage space for our 2500 stencils heretofore taking up massive storage space and automatic systems. | | | | Management jumped on this one because of our consolidation move from Loveland to Spokane. Also, it provides the opportunity to get away from Fuji frames (long on width) and convert to the natural world as DEK frames ensuring a narrow path down the chute. | | | | I'll keep you posted over the next 60 days as we attempt to disprove these things. As a matter of fact, we have a single GSX dedicated to nothing but putting these things through hell and back - maybe. | | | | MoonMan | | | more feedback from a satisfied user...... | | We have been using DEK Vector (TETRA) for nearly 2 1/2 years now with very few problems. We pruchase about 80 foils a year. Typical life 10k panels/6 months, this is because of design changes/new products not foils wearing out. | | To sumarise the + and - of it: | | +ve | Storage space | screen manufacture turnaround (no waiting for glues to cure) | Cleaning ( no glue to soften) | Alignment (very little movement relative to the board) | Robustness ( we have yet to break one, we have dented a few) | Cost | Can be put into the machine at 90 degrees or even upside down (does your artwork always end up the right way round) | | -ve | Bladder problems (We have had two repairs in two years in both cases DEK shipped a replacement overnight whiilst ours went away for repair.) | Sharp edges | Can be put into the machine at 90 degrees or even upside down (do you operators always get it right) | Remembering to clean the cr*p off the frame while it is still moveable | | We looked at several other systems but they either only stretched on two edges or required additional clips or clamps. In our opinion it was head and shoulders above any of the other systems we looked at in terms of ease of use and robustness. | | Because we bought our frame and all our production foils through DEK they threw in the frame for nothing - I am trying to persuade them at the moment that as a loyal customer it's about time they treated me to a new one/ spare. | | About 6 months ago DEK switched from etching to laser cut - the arguments for both are well known and I won't fill up bandwidth here except to say that initially we had a few problems with getting half etched fiducails to work however the price didn't change so I ain't complaining. | I would not go back to mesh or foil glued to a frame for anybody. | | Like Earl we run DEK 265. | | If you want to know more - drop me a line | | Great feedback, guys. Thanks bunches!

Chrys

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