GAUNTLET 4 Automatic Screen Printing Press

Product Description

Gauntlet® 4 is M&R’s newest, high-production carousel automatic screen printing press. It features printheads driven by fast, reliable, variable frequency-controlled electric motors. The printheads feature calibrated, tool-free, click-stop off-contact settings for fast and accurate screen leveling. The press includes tool-free front and rear print-stroke adjustment for versatility and maximum production rates. Pneumatic screen clamps facilitate rapid screen loading and deliver excellent stability on a wide variety of screens. M&R’s Laser Locator System speeds pallet positioning and changeover, and it assists operators in the precise positioning of garments and cut-piece goods.

Gauntlet 4 also includes M&R’s exclusive Tri-Sync™ pallet arm and Tri-Sync pallet, which greatly simplifies the addition of M&R’s revolutionary Digital Squeegee™ hybrid printing system. Other standard features include M&R’s Revolver Print Program; squeegee pressure regulators; independently-set angle and calibrated squeegee and floodbar pressure adjustments; M&R’s electronically adjustable Ink Dip™ ink retrieval system that keeps ink in the screen printing area; and M&R’s exclusive Squeegee Dam™ system that gently lowers the squeegee blade onto the screen mesh when the press is idle to help prevent thinner water-based and discharge inks from flowing into the image area.

Gauntlet 4’s print heads include new electronic membrane-switch controls, which enable quicker, more accurate print and flood speed settings, plus incorporate the ability to set these speeds from the main HMI! Each printhead also features a socket that simplifies the positioning and controlling of M&R’s sophisticated Red Chili DX™ quartz flash cure units. M&R’s Automatic Pallet Preheat Mode™ with built-in pallet temperature sensor allows operators to preheat pallets to the desired temperature with any compatible flash cure unit and track those temperatures throughout the print run.

Gauntlet 4’s new, larger, higher-resolution control panel features revised, intuitive, icon-based labeling for operator convenience. The control panel also features an independent print-start/print-finish setting that automatically activates and stops printheads at the beginning and end of screen printing runs; jog-left/jog-right controls; onboard self-diagnostics; a production speed monitor; real-time production data; a test-print setting that turns individual printheads on/off during test-print cycles; a stopwatch feature that enables users to capture elapsed time for setup, runtime, shift time, or any other screen printing operation; and an enhanced Maintenance Minder™ system with photos and instructions that alerts operators when scheduled maintenance is due.

With its large set of standard features and time-saving, output-enhancing exclusives; efficient design; and high production speed, Gauntlet 4 is the ultimate high-production carousel automatic screen printing press!

CAROUSEL/INDEXER SYSTEM

• Clockwise or counterclockwise rotation
• Double-Index feature allows a larger maximum image area when using alternating printheads
• Smooth belt-driven indexer provides high speeds and long-term, consistent operation

CERTIFICATION

• CE & UL compliant: Built to specifications established by the European Committee for Standardization® (CE) and Underwriters Laboratories® (UL)

CONTROL CENTER

• Automatic Pallet Preheat Mode™ with built-in pallet temperature sensor allows operators to preheat pallets to the desired temperature using any compatible flash cure unit
• Countdown program indicates when operator-set index count has been reached
• Independent print-start/print-finish setting automatically activates and stops printheads at the beginning and end of print runs and also enables single pallet test printing
• Jog-left/jog-right controls
• Large 15.6” machine mounted touchscreen interface
• Maintenance Minder™ System alerts operators when scheduled maintenance is due
• Multiple (1-4) print stroke capability
• Onboard self-diagnostics
• Real-time production speed monitor ensures more accurate job costing
• Stopwatch feature enables users to capture elapsed time for setup times and run times
• Swiveling control arm with large 30 cm (12”) icon-based, high-resolution Human Machine Interface (HMI) touchscreen

DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION

• Constructed from heavy-duty steel, aluminum and premium components
• Engineered and built with 35-plus years of M&R’s commitment to quality and dependability
• Heavy-duty printheads and pallet arms provide the stability necessary for exceptional screen print quality

LASER LOCATOR SYSTEM

• Assists operators in the precise positioning of garments and cut pieces. See it in action!
• Speeds pallet positioning and changeover

PALLET SYSTEM

• Advanced pallet leveling system
• One (1) Tri-Sync™ pallet arm included
• Solid-aluminum, low-profile, rubber-coated pallets
• Tool-free quick release pallet locks

PRINTHEADS

• Brushless, variable-frequency, electric-drive motors deliver smooth screen print strokes and exceptional control
• Independent print and reset buttons on each printhead
• Independent print/flood speed controls with digital display on each printhead
• Membrane switch printhead controls for accuracy, versatility and control
• Tool-free click-stop calibrated four-point off-contact allows for fast and accurate screen adjustments
• Underhead LED lights provide better lighting to check screen clearing and registration

REGISTRATION

• Compatible with M&R’s Tri-Loc® and Tri-Sync™ Rapid Registration Systems
• Precise front and rear micro-registration adjustments with visual guides

REVOLVER PRINT PROGRAM

• Automatically operates individual printheads in programmed sequence and allows multiple flashing without losing a screen printing position
• Icon based display and logic simplifies revolver sequence programming

SCREEN CLAMPS & HOLDERS

• Adjustable rear screen holders accommodate a wide variety of screen sizes
• Clamping system holds roller frames without special adapters
• Flip-up front screen holders with pneumatic locking system speed setup
• Pneumatic clamps hold frames tight and allow rapid screen loading

SQUEEGEE DAM

• Gently lowers the squeegee blade onto the screen mesh when the press is idle
• Helps prevent thinner water based and discharge inks from flowing into the image area

SQUEEGEE/FLOODBAR

• Front or rear print carriage stop position allows operator to leave screens clear or flooded (great for water-based inks)
• Independent squeegee and floodbar speed adjustments with digital display
• Independently calibrated pressure adjustments for squeegees and floodbars
• Ink Dip electronically adjustable ink retrieval system keeps ink in the print area
• Park function raises the squeegee/floodbar assemblies and moves them to the front of the screen for easy access
• Pneumatic squeegee/floodbar clamps with tool-free calibrated angle adjustment
• Squeegee air regulator with pressure gauge on each printhead offers consistent control of print pressure
• Squeegee/floodbar angle adjustments with visual reference marks every 5 degrees

STROKE LENGTH ADJUSTMENT

• Tool-free calibrated front & rear stroke length adjustment lets operators quickly maximize printing speeds by limiting excess image overprint

FOOT PEDAL CONTROL

• Allows indexing of the press using a foot pedal
• Skip-Shirt foot pedal feature allows operators to avoid screen printing on empty pallets

OPTICAL NO-SHIRT DETECTOR

• Automatically prevents the press from printing on empty pallets (U.S. Patent No. 5,383,400)
• Reduces misprints and minimizes press stoppage because of improperly loaded shirts

PALLETS

• M&R aluminum pallets and platens come in a wide range of sizes and styles

WARRANTY, SERVICE AND SUPPORT

• 24-hour hotline is staffed 365 days a year
• Two-year limited warranty