Quality Control Devices
Roughness Gauge RZ METER/POCKET SURF II
The Pocket Surf III Surface Meter is a pocket-sized, battery-operated roughness gauge. It measures stencil and substrate surface roughness parameters in Ra, Rmax and Rz with digital readout. The Pocket Surf III is solidly built with a durable cast aluminum housing for years of accurate surface measurements. Its digital display is conveniently located on top of the device for optimum visibility.
FEATURES
- General purpose probe with 0.0004”/10 micron radius
- Offers three traverse lengths
- Supplied with a certified reference specimen, riser plate, battery and custom-fitted protective case
- Easy-to-read liquid crystal display (LCD) presents the measured roughness values in micro-inches or micrometers
- Out-of-range (high/low) and battery low warning signals
- Serial output for Statistical Process Control (SPC)
BENEFITS
- Economically priced
- Fast and accurate; measurement produced within a half-second of traversing the surface
- Provides a measurable indicator of how efficiently the print side of the stencil controls edge definition
- An acceptable Rz value assures proper gasketing of the stencil to the substrate, and controls the ink flow
OPTION
- Power transformer to replace battery operation
TENSION METERS
NEWMAN ST-METER® 1-E
A uniquely constructed, heavy-duty mechanical tension meter that assures durability and longterm accuracy in monitoring screen tension. It is the only meter in the world with all stainless steel hardened gears, shock-proof industrial grade internal gear movement and all jeweled sapphire bearings. A screen tension meter of exceptionalquality, it will last longer and produce consistent readings every time. (All other mechanical meters have non-compound softer brass gears and bushing, greatly reducing their shock-resistance, long-term accuracy and life.) The crystal is shatterproof and curved to avoid glare. The heavy-duty protective aluminum housing is the most durable meter made anywhere. The modular construction assures easy and inexpensive repairs, if necessary.
FEATURES
- Shock-proof unitized internal gear movement
- Eight sapphire jeweled bearings
- Six compound hardened stainless steel gears
- Also available in kilograms/meter
- Direct reading in N/cm, ±1% accuracy
- Shatterproof crystal
- Heavy-duty protective aluminum housing
- The only bi-directional screen tension meter manufactured in the United States
- A calibration plate is provided with each meter, and is packaged in a protective carrying case.
Newman ST-Meter is a registered
trademar k of Stretch Devices , Inc.
NEWMAN ST-METER® 2-E
The tolerance of the 2-E is ±2N/cm versus the 1-E, which is ±1N/cm. The 2-E uses non-jeweled bearings in a similar silver color cast body, but is still certified to ASTM Standards like the 1-E.
Thickness Gauge TQM™ ETG™
TQM Electronic Thickness Gauge (ETG) is the only thickness gauge that calculates the difference between the fabric and emulsion thicknesses automatically. It is the choice for the screen printer looking for a practical, compact and easy-to-use thickness gauge for quality control purposes. Its uses include screen mesh and stencil measurements, as well as substrate and cured ink film measurements. The ETG works on the principle of magnetic induction, and is used in conjunction with a small, hand-held test plate. The coated mesh sample is placed between the measuring probe and the test plate. The micron or mil measurement is displayed immediately. The TQM ETG unit does not normally require calibration before use. However, the unit is supplied with calibration shims to confirm instrument accuracy or to measure unusually thick or curved samples. For those requiring conformance to very tight quality controls, the TQM ETG can be ordered with an optional Certificate of Calibration to NIST standards.
FEATURES
- Digital accuracy of ±1%
- Also measures dry ink thickness on substrate
- For use on polyester, nylon or stainless steel mesh
- Measures automatically in mils or microns
- Factory-installed, custom-fit probe system means all models are calibrated and shipped ready-to-use
- Automatic shut-off after 7 minutes of non-use
- Automatic low battery shut-off eliminates invalid readings
- Heavy-duty carrying case
BENEFITS
- No more guesswork
- Time-saver
- Very simple to use
- Provides an automatic calculation of the difference between the fabric and emulsion thicknesses
- Economical, yet with accuracy equal to or better than higher-priced models
OPTIONS
- Certificate of Calibration to NIST standards for quality control or ISO 9000 compliance programs
Bi-yearly calibration program, based on instrument inspection Spare parts available: ETG base plates and ETG calibration foils.
EXPOSURE GUIDES
SAATI 21-STEP SENSITIVITY GUIDE
This is the exposure guide of choice for accuracy, ease of use and allpurpose application. With the Saati guide, there is no guesswork or complicated interpretation. It is a more precise tool than the gelatin/density type exposure calculators, and unlike competitive products, it can be used on all stencil types and all mesh counts. (Other exposure guides are not compatible with pure photopolymer stencils, and do not perform as well on coarse mesh.) Our 21-step guide is also much smaller (1⁄2” x 51⁄4”), so it can be used on all production screens. The Saati Sensitivity Guide is a film containing a transmission type density scale with 21 steps ranging from transparent to opaque. (1 = zero density. 21 = solid black.)
DIRECTIONS
Place the Saati 21-Step Sensitivity Guide on the screen. Optimize your exposure so that when washing out the image, you are left with 7 solid steps.
AUTOTYPE EXPOSURE CALCULATOR
An all-in-one test positive to help you determine the best exposure time. The calculator’s series of incremental gray neutral filters provides five exposure values with just one test exposure. Select one for the best stencil thickness, color/hardness and definition. Features include a 65-line screen ruling and halftone dots in 10, 50 and 90% areas. Also, the edge definition/resolution targets have a break and very fine type to assist your interpretation. A complete instruction guide is provided with each calculator.
MISCELLANEOUS QUALITY CONTROL
MESH COUNTER
SaatiPrint’s New mesh count determiner is a fast and easy way to verify your mesh count. Can be used on stretched and unstretched fabric, with or without a stencil You can accurately count the number of threads per inch within +/-2 TPI on mesh counts ranging from 22-528. This is accomplished by placing one of the 2 included films (22-276TPI and 274-528TPI) onto your fabric and rotating the film until the moire pattern appears next to the mesh count.
FEATURES
- Save down time by eliminating mismarked frames in your inventory
- Confirm incoming frames from outside vendors
- Reduce moire by matching frames of similar thread count
- Can also be used on halftone films to determine if the LPI is correct
AQUA CHECK
The only stencil moisture meter, the TQM Aqua-Check determines when the stencil is dry enough to expose. Our exclusive TQM Aqua-Check meter detects hidden moisture instantly.
It is a fast and accurate measurement that prevents you from taking chances with your stencil. The battery-operated contact meter provides direct readings of the residual moisture content in coated (and dried) screens to ultimately prevent pinholes and premature stencil breakdown. If a screen is not dried thoroughly before exposure, it will not harden effectively, and is therefore vulnerable to these deficiencies. The Aqua-Check’s modest cost can save you big outlays in press downtime and stencil remakes. For use on polyester and nylon screen mesh.
There is no guesswork. Simply hold it against the emulsion or film surface and press the “READ” button for 2 seconds. Look at the dial. Red for trouble ahead. Orange for risky. Green for go!
Instructions For Use
The TQM Aqua-Check meter is placed directly on the surface of the emulsion. With a press of the button, the percentage of retained moisture content is displayed on the easy-to-read dial. The dial’s color-coded fields simultaneously translate the reading quickly and effortlessly, indicating whether the screen has reached optimum dryness or requires further drying before exposure. A reading in the green field (less than 4%) indicates optimum dryness and assures a very durable stencil, assuming the exposure time is correct. Yellow (4-6%) indicates marginal dryness; a deterioration of the wet stencil strength is noticeable during washout and pinholes are more plentiful. This is most critical for fast-exposing emulsions, which use a low diazo level in order to produce shorter exposure times. Red (greater than 6%) indicates insufficient drying where improved drying is required. Above a 6% moisture content, most emulsions will produce soft stencils regardless of exposure time, threatening breakdown on press. This may not be a problem for printing plastisol or solvent-based inks, depending on the run length, but will be a problem when printing water-based inks.
ANGLE DETERMINER
The ISPS Thread Direction/Mesh Angle Gauge is a quick and easy way to reference the mesh angle on any screen, eliminating the guesswork caused by unmarked screens especially in 4-color process printing. In addition, the gauge is very helpful in diagnosing moiré issues caused by screens or films.
- Can be used on coated and uncoated screens, as well as film
Directions
- Use gauge by laying it directly on the screen or film. A moiré pattern appears on the tool at the angle it sees.
MEASURESCOPE
A multi-purpose precision instrument designed to provide the ideal magnification for critical stencil and mesh inspection. The unit consists of a sturdy metal base with an anodized aluminum optical tube. Lines and spaces in graduations as small as 0.001 of an inch (0.02 mm) can be measured easily with the Measurescope, which has a measuring range of 0.1 of an inch. Focusing is simple and accurate with the microscope’s rack and pinion adjustment using knobs located on both sides. Another feature is the unit’s built-in illumination that assures uniform light distribution and image clarity. Two penlight batteries are supplied with each microscope. Inquire about other magnifications and styles.
ZWICK 3114 DUROMETER
For accurately measuring squeegee hardness
The Zwick 3114 Durometer is used to determine the Shore hardness of elastomers and plastics. Shore hardness is defined as the resistance to penetration by an indentor of specified shape under a defined load. Zwick 3114 is designed to determine hardness to Shore A. Zwick 3114 is used on soft elastomers, where hardness is between 0 and 100 Shore A. Zwick 3114, designed as a hand-held instrument, corresponds to the following standards: ASTM D 2240, DIN 53505, ISO/R 868, NF T 51-109. A convenient storage case protects the instrument against dust and damage.