FAQ's...
and answers for:
EconoRed screen print drying ovens
If you have reviewed the EconoRed product page you will already know that these screen print drying ovens are quite advanced with some high tech features like a digital temperature controller that are normally not offered on t-shirt tunnel dryers. The EconoRed range and indeed other Vastex screen print drying ovens have been engineered to to be shorter and smaller than the average conveyor dryer while still offering fast production times. To review the available models, please visit the product page or call us for more help. Below are some answers to the most commonly asked questions about our screen print drying ovens.
Click on a question below to reveal the answer:
- What is a screen print drying oven?
When products like t-shirts are printed using plastisol inks, they must be properly cured. The ideal way to fully cure a plastisol print is to use a drying oven. Such ovens are fitted with a conveyor belt so you can simply put your printed t-shirt or other item on the belt and the oven takes care of the rest once you have initially set it up and tested that the temperature and the speed is correct.
- Why do I need an EconoRed tunnel dryer?
Plastisol ink must be heated to 160° Celsius and held at this temperature for a specific time. Unless this happens, the printed image may crack, fade come away from the garment. Plastisol ink can only be cured using infra red heat and a conveyor dryer is the most efficient and accurate way to achieve this. You may also want to consider the DriBox range of tunnel dryers that offer a slightly lower specification and price point or if you have more demanding requirements, we offer the BigRed range of tunnel dryers.
- How controllable is the EconoRed tunnel dryer?
The control panel of EconoRed tunnel dryers allow temperature and belt speed to be adjusted using a highly advanced digital interface that is accurate to within one degree Celsius. The digital temperature controller is standard on the EconoRed range while the digital belt controller is an optional extra. The infra red heating element can also be raised and lowered from the garment or even tilted at an angle when items such as baseball caps are being cured. Even though the EconoRed offers digital temperature control, you should always check the temperature inside the tunnel chamber using paper temperature strips or an electronic measuring device to ensure that you run the dryer at the correct setting.
- Are EconoRed dryers upgradeable?
Yes. Both the Vastex DriBox range of tunnel dryers and the EconoRed range can be upgraded at any time after initial purchase. Whilst the width of the dryer cannot be changed, the length of the conveyor section can be increased and additional heating chambers can also be added. Adding an additional heating chamber to a conveyor drying oven with a single heating chamber doubles the production capacity. Investing in a Vastex screen print drying oven is guaranteed to allow your business to grow without having to scrap your initial investment.
- Do I need special power requirements?
When supplied with one heating chamber, EconoRed t-shirt tunnel dryers can be run from a standard single phase 16, 32 or 64 amp supply as found in most business premises. However, when additional heating chambers are added, you may prefer to move to a three phase mains supply which is also available on the EconoRed range.
- Are EconoRed conveyor dryers free standing?
All EconoRed drying ovens are supplied with legs as standard. This allows the dryer to stand at the optimal height for efficient operation. Optional castors are available to allow the oven to be moved around easily.
- Do I need to worry about fumes when curing garments?
When curing plastisol inks there will be a degree of fumes produced during the curing cycle. Each EconoRed drying oven is fitted with an exhaust port to which an extraction system can be added as an optional extra if needed.
- Is an EconoRed conveyor dryer easy to use?
Once you have set the correct temperature, element height and belt speed, the dryer continues without any further intervention. Also remember that your initial setup should include checking the temperature using either a laser temperature measuring device or paper thermometers.
- Are EconoRed drying ovens reliable?
We are so convinced of the reliability of this range of products that we offer an industry leading 3 year guarantee on the dryer and 10 year guarantee on the heating element, which should give the new purchaser complete peace of mind.
- Can I install an EconoRed screen printing tunnel dryer at my home based business?
Yes. The EconoRed range is supplied as a self assembly unit. The conveyor section is supplied in two halves that are bolted together and then the legs and optional castors would be fitted. The heating unit is simply lifted onto the conveyor section. It takes less than half and hour to put together a standard EconoRed 30 or 54 unit. The mains power requirement of any EconoRed tunnel dryer would probably require a small electrical upgrade at any residential address. An EconoRed that is configured for three phase mains supply would probably not be suitable for installation at a residential address. Please feel free to call us on 0845 224 1204 if you would like to discuss this specific requirement.