Large Vacuum easels in Europe for contact printing?

rafaelrojas

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• Nov 14, 2014

• #1

Hi again!

I am trying to analyze the options for printing in platinum palladium, concerning the UV units.
One of the options would involve creating my own printer, by using a vacuum easel for large formats and then building a UV unit with tubes.
I live in Switzerland, and I am having big problems to find vacuum easels for considerable big formats in Europe. Have you got any idea where these could be found, either new or used, in Europe?
I have seen a couple in the US, but they seem all to be built for 120 V and I fear shipping costs might be prohibitive...

Thanks so much for your feedback!

Warm regards,

Rafael

 

Ian Leake

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• Nov 15, 2014

• #2

Hi Rafael.
What do you mean by "considerably big"? Large vacuum frames turn up periodically on eBay. I have a vacuum frame that fits 80cm x 70cm paper. I bought it from a printshop in the UK that was relocating to smaller premises.

 

Steve Smith

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• Nov 15, 2014

• #3

I'm not sure what the advantage of vacuum would be for contact printing as the vacuum would hold down whatever was closest to it (paper) but block the next layer (film).

At work we have a UV exposure unit for screen printing frames. Rather than use a vacuum, it has a large rubber bag which inflates and pushes the screen and film up to a glass plate during exposure.


Steve.

 

Ian Leake

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• Nov 15, 2014

• #4

Hi Steve. A vacuum frame works by sucking the air out of the space between the glass and and a rubber sheet. The rubber sheet, paper and negative are therefore sucked tightly against the glass. Much the same effect as the device you're describing.

 

Steve Smith

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• Nov 15, 2014

• #5

O.K. Thanks. That makes more sense.


Steve.

 

Bob Carnie

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• Nov 15, 2014

• #6

I am looking for this kind of vacumn and as well overhanging lights for pt pd, that would give even illumination for 30 x40..

 

OP

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rafaelrojas

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• Nov 16, 2014

• #7

Ian Leake said:

Hi Rafael.
What do you mean by "considerably big"? Large vacuum frames turn up periodically on eBay. I have a vacuum frame that fits 80cm x 70cm paper. I bought it from a printshop in the UK that was relocating to smaller premises.

Click to expand...

Hi Ian! I meant something like those dimensions you mention of your vacuum frame. I am studying different options for the UV printer...
By the way, I love your work, and I will contact you via personal email...
Thanks for the input!

rafael

 

Lachlan Young

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• Nov 16, 2014

• #8

The large vacuum easel I've had a little experience with was sort of similar to one of these: http://www.hgkippax.co.uk/english/A18.htm or these: http://www.hgkippax.co.uk/english/B32_ancillary.htm They sell a metal halide unit to go with the easel as well.

They're probably frighteningly expensive new, but they do have distribution in Switzerland and Canada.