Large Vacuum easels in Europe for contact printing?

[rafaelrojas]

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]

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]

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]

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]

O.K. Thanks. That makes more sense.


Steve.

 

[Bob Carnie]

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

 

[rafaelrojas]

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.

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]

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.