For the Business of Apparel Decorating
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/300837
90 | Printwear M ay 20 1 4 20 1 4 M ay Printwear | 91 evaluating ink In the same vein of thought, the cure time can also have a profound effect on the production numbers. For instance, many water-based products require more time in the oven in order to fully cure. These requirements can vary from three minutes, down to 90 seconds. Given that an average garment will take 18" of linear space on the belt, the math is very telling. This chart illustrates the difference in production numbers for each of a 12', 16', and 24' oven. you can see that the less time required in the oven will allow a faster belt speed, thus increasing shirt throughput. The value is in the overhead savings due to more prints per hour. Opposite page: It is extremely important to follow the proper procedures and recommendations for applying the ink. Ink manufacturers should provide product information on the proper techniques, and print and cure parameters for each ink product. Flash and dwell times can also impact price per piece. an ink that requires one extra second to flash can slow a press down. If you are averaging 600 pieces an hour, and you can speed up the machine an extra second, you now average 720 pieces an hour. Divide your hourly machine cost (salaries, utilities, and shop costs) by those pieces, and you will see your savings multiply. The chart below shows how the dwell time prolongs the production time spent on a specific order. The faster the job is up and down, the less impact overhead cost has on your bottom line. Cost FaCtors: time in ProduCtion Flash/dwell times (Seconds) total Flash/dwell time (Minutes) Per 500 Pieces total Flash/dwell time (Minutes) Per 1,000 Pieces total Flash/dwell time (Minutes) Per 1,200 Pieces 3 25 50 60 4 33.3 66.7 80 5 41.7 83.3 100 6 50 100 120 oven Length oven exposure time (Minutes) Belt speed (Feet per Minute) Pieces Per minute (Linear) Pieces Per Hour (Linear) dozens 2 6 4 240 20 12 1.5 12 6 360 30 1 12 8 480 40 2 8 5 300 25 16 1.5 12 8 480 40 1 16 12 720 60 2 12 8 480 40 24 1.5 18 12 720 60 1 24 16 960 80 PW_MAY14.indd 90 4/17/14 11:24 AM