| Design Space Precautions apply
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You will be working in the Design Space . In order to keep safe from hazards created by you or other workers using any of the tools in this room, the following precautions apply in addition to any other precautions:
- don't put food in the garbage bins, there are mice we don't want to feed
- Several machines use vinyl; be careful when handling the rolls because you can damage them and in turn damage the sensitive vinyl equipment
- This space is partially open to the public - do not leave sharp objects lying around. We have some communal sharp tools in a secret place; ask a nearby helpful person or post on Slack if you would like to know where they are.
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The heat press gets hot and squeezes things. You can use it for heat-transfer vinyl, sublimation printing, and anything else that might need a hot-squeeze combination. The heat press is fairly safe, but please be careful not to burn yourself or others. There's a sign you can put beside the heat press to warn others when it's hot, but please don't forget to remove the sign when it's cooled down.
edit these instructions at Instructions:Heat Press
for all
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- Add the material settings for NF supplied materials. Apparently these are on/near the material shelf.
- Add examples of heat-sensitive sublimation materials that might need 15 second passes
- Add instructions for changing from °C to °F
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Safety
Hazards
- Fire hazard: make sure the area is clear of flammable materials before starting. Don't put anything flammable in the heat press.
- Burn hazard: Don't touch anything except for the handle and control panel when the press is heated. When you turn on the press, use the provided sign to warn others that it is hot. Don't forget to remove the sign once the press is cool.
- There is a heat-resistant glove available if needed (for example, when cleaning the platen while it is hot)
- Pinch hazard: don't wear loose hair or clothing that could get tangled in the hinge.
Damage Concerns
- Direct contact with heat platen will melt some materials, causing damage to the heat platen. Use a protective sheet (parchment baking paper) between the press and the material.
- Hard materials or direct contact with coarse materials can cause abrasions or gouges in the heat platen
Prohibited Activities
- Do not leave this equipment running unattended
LOTO
Unplug, tape the plug in place next to the power switch, put a “broken” sign over both and post on slack.
Before Use
- Make sure work table is clean; remnants from other projects can contaminate your project and the heat presses
- Inspect the heat press:
- Is there anything around it that should not get hot? If so, remove it.
- Is there room to move the heat press through its operating range (test fully opening and closing the hinge)? If not, move the heat press while it is still cold.
- Prepare your sublimation print or Heat Transfer Vinyl (see training info for those separately)
- Confirm that all parts of your substrate can tolerate the heat you will apply. Is there plastic? Are there strings/ropes (for example, on a pull-string bag)
- Make sure a welding/ heat resistant glove is in the work area in case you need to handle the heat press while it is hot.
Suggested Temperatures
These are only suggested temperatures; check the data sheet for your specific material and consult with the supplier if needed.
- HTV: 8-15 seconds at 315°F
- Sublimation: 60-90 seconds at 405°F (may need to do in 15 second passes if material is very heat sensitive)
Operation
Flat Press
- Turn on the machine
- Inspect equipment and facility to ensure no obvious damage. Report any damage on the broken slack channel so the equipment can be repaired.
- Ensure there is sufficient room to perform the operation being attempted: move the heat press through its full range of motion while it is cold to make sure it won't hit anything or anyone.
- Ensure that the area around the heat press is clear and free from clutter.
- Ensure that the heat press is sitting on a stable and sturdy table.
- Plug in and turn on the machine.
- Verify that the F (Fahrenheit) indicator is lit; if it is not, see section "Changing the setting from Celsius to Fahrenheit."
- Set the temperature and time depending on your project. Data sheets for shop supplied materials are on the side of the material shelf.
- Confirm temperature is set correctly by pressing TEMP button and using up and down arrows to set. Press TEMP button again when desired temperature is displayed.
- Confirm time is set correctly by pressing TIME button and using up and down arrows to set. Press TIME button again when desired time is displayed.
- Wait for the heat platen to reach preset temperature.
- Load your parchment paper/protective paper and material.
- Use the handle to close the press. The timer should start automatically; wait until the timer sounds or desired time has elapsed.
- Open the press all the way
- Be careful: if you let go of the handle before the Heat Press is fully open, it will spring open with a lot of force that might be enough to move the whole machine.
- Remove the item from the heat press carefully and let the item cool to room temperature
- Carefully remove the backing paper of the HTV or the sublimation paper.
Hat Press
The Hat/Part Heat Press can be used to press items where you don’t want the whole item to be heated up, or where you would not be able to get a flat part if you put it on the Flat Heat Press. The presser pad can be removed from the machine to better position items like sleeves (slides forwards and out).
- Put the fabric on the soft pad of the heat press you will use; put the removable part back in the heat press if applicable.
- Place the HTV or sublimation paper on the fabric face down.
- Make sure you get this right or you will make a mess! HTV needs to have the shiny side up.
- Protect the heat plate: put a piece of paper / parchment paper over top of the HTV or sublimation paper to protect the heat plate so nothing get stuck to it; you can find paper in the paper printer in the corner of the room (not sublimation paper!)
- Push down on the handle to close it; keep pushing until you are over the cam and it stays closed, that way you will have the right pressure. You will have to push fairly hard to close the flat press.
- Press the down arrow button to start the timer
- Once the timer finishes the press will beep; open the press all the way
- Be careful: if you let go of the handle before the Heat Press is fully open, it will spring open with a lot of force that might be enough to move the whole machine.
- Remove the item from the heat press carefully and let the item cool to room temperature.
- Carefully remove the backing paper of the HTV or the sublimation paper.
Shut-down
- Inspect heat platen for (new) contamination; if there is any, follow instructions at "Cleaning the Heat Platen" before the next step
- Turn off and unplug the machine
- If possible, remain in the craft room as the machine cools. If you can’t remain in the craft room as machine cools, place “MACHINE IS HOT” sign in a visible location
- Leave the machine in a safe, clean and tidy state.
Cleaning the Heat Platen
If material or transfer comes into direct contact with the heat platen, do not turn off the machine since this will allow the material to harden and bake on tighter on the next heating cycle.
- Dampen the provided microfiber cloth
- Using the provided heat resistant glove, gently wipe heat platen to remove melted/burned material from the heat platen.
- Do not use soap or detergent, do not use hard or coarse scrapers or scrubbers
- Do not allow machine to cool until heat platen has been cleaned
Changing the setting from Celsius to Fahrenheit
- Need to confirm details, the procedure is not clear. If you figure it out, let us know!
- If the °F LED is not lit red then the heat press is set to °C. To switch it back to °F, press and hold the up and the down arrow buttons together and hold until the LED switches on.
Troubleshooting
- Can’t set temperature high enough: You are in Celsius mode, see "Changing the setting from Celsius to Fahrenheit"
- Sublimation design won’t transfer: Use substrate coated with or made out of at least 50% polyester with polyester or PVC
- Scorch marks on item after heat press cycle: Heat plate is dirty; follow Cleaning the Heat Plate and/or protect the substrate with protective paper.
Tips, Tricks, Notes
It's sometimes useful to secure your sublimation paper in place so it doesn't move while loading and pressing. In this case, use a heat-resistant tape (North Forge should have some Kapton tape nearby for you to use).
If your substrate is wrinkled or distorted, iron it to make it flat and straight and remove any creases.
