Re-Useable Stencil Frames

Subscribe to Thread

Yims: There's several threads in the archives on re-useabl... - Oct 21, 1999 by davef

It's IIT, not ITT. DEK in the UK also uses a tensioning fr... - Oct 22, 1999 by se

Hi Dave I have used the IIT proframe II (I believe the prof... - Oct 27, 1999 by John Thorup

well.. thats annoying. Most of my posting disappeared on t... - Oct 27, 1999 by John Thorup

at least most of a posting is dropped after a sentence or t... - Oct 27, 1999 by John Thorup

John, Your message seemed complete in the first one to me.... - Oct 28, 1999 by Cliff

davef

#8870

Re-Useable Stencil Frames | 21 October, 1999

Yims: There's several threads in the archives on re-useable stencil frames, but they seem to be focused on a limited nubmer of suppliers. I'm trying to take a big picture of the suppliers of these frames. So I'd like to know about:

1 ITT ProFrame 2 Alpha TeraFrame 3 PNC AccuFrame 4 Chepaume (in the US) TecFoil 5 Anyone I don't know about the provides competive supplies

I'd like to know

1 The deal: frame, foil, maintenance and storage costs 2 Satisfaction in use: how do these cats match-up with fixed frame stencils? Are there applications (20 pitch??) they do/don't compete? 3 Dissatisfaction in use: some of these things have air bags, like on Nike sneakers and others have levers for tensioning the foil. No matter what, Melissa ends-up with a good grip from hefting these things.

Thank you and good night!!

Dave F

reply »

#8871

Re: Re-Useable Stencil Frames | 22 October, 1999

It's IIT, not ITT.

DEK in the UK also uses a tensioning frame, but I don't know of any suppliers in the US.

As a stencil vendor without a quick mount/re-usable frame to sell, I can say that I have not heard many complaints regarding print quality on these competitor frames.

I never had a customer request one, either. Usually we try to get into an account that is using a re-usable frame and they say they don't have any problems. Most are under the impression that the unique foils that are used in these frame can only be purchased from the manufacturer of the frame. True or false, I never investigated.

If/when you make a decision, I'd be curious to know the reasons behind the decision for market/competitive sake. Thanks..dan.

reply »

John Thorup

#8872

Re: Re-Useable Stencil Frames | 27 October, 1999

Hi Dave I have used the IIT proframe II (I believe the proframe I used four sided tensioning, was somewhat inconvenient to set up and is obsolete) for about six months. I don't have any complaints of note and I do use it to 20 mil. It does take some more time to set up in that you have to change the foil rather than just slap in another frome but the cost (<1/2) more than makes up for it. The operators learned the installation technique rapidly and had no problems. The foil clamps in on two sides and is tensioned with one screw. Unlike some others, this frame is not significantly heavier than a regular cast frame. Durability has not been tested here yet but I'm told a number of the big guys in Silicon Valley use it. Storage is both a problem and not. Needless to say the naked foils take a lot less room but they are more fragile and they have a knife edge. IIT sells a hanging file sytem that seem to be adapted from a previous life in the achitectural drawing field but it costs as much as the frame. I suppose I'll have to pop for it one of these days. Cost of the system is about equal to two or three framed stencils. All in all I'm happy with the purchase. You can check out their info at www.integratedideas.com. The Alpha Tetra seems nice too but the bean counters upstairs would fall down laughing if I tried to buy it. John Thorup

reply »

John Thorup

#8873

Re: Re-Useable Stencil Frames | 27 October, 1999

well.. thats annoying. Most of my posting disappeared on the way! anyway, the cost... (<1/2) more than makes up for it. Cost of the system is about equal to two or three cast frame stencils. Basically the foil clamps in a proprietary frame on two sides and is tensioned with one screw. The operators learned the technique quickly and have had no problems. Unlike some other systems, the weight is not significantly more than a regular stencil and there is no particular effort to mount it. I have not been able to test durability yet but it seems like it will be no different than usual. I'm told it is in use at several high volume users in this area. Storage is both a problem and not. Needless to say the naked foils take much less room but they could be more vulnerable to damage and they have knife edges. IIT sells a hanging file type storage system that looks like it started out life holding architectural drawings. It's kind of pricy but I guess I'll have to pop for ons sooner or later. All in all I'm happy with the purchase. They have a web site at www.integratedideas.com. The Alpha Tetra system looks nice too but the bean counters upstairs would fall down laughing if I tried to buy it. John Thorup

reply »

John Thorup

#8874

Re: So Cliff, why do my postings disappear? | 27 October, 1999

at least most of a posting is dropped after a sentence or two?

reply »

Cliff

#8875

Re: So Cliff, why do my postings disappear? | 28 October, 1999

John,

Your message seemed complete in the first one to me. The first and second message contain same message. Maybe the page after the posting is returning an incomplete result, and may need refreshing to update it. Let me know if it continues.

Thanks, Cliff

reply »