Heat Press

Hotronix Swinger Heat Press

Tool Tutorial

The Setup, Operation, and Cleanup Checklists of this guide are what instructors use to ensure that you can use the equipment according to community expectations.

Usage Highlights

Dye Sublimation or Vinyl Cutter Clearance or Class Equivalent Required Before Use

==== SAFETY ====	==== CARE ====	==== CLEANUP ====
1. Keep hands clear when locking the pressure	1. Ensure equipment is free of hazards, & dust	1. Turn off the Power Strip
2. Avoid contact with the heated platen	2. Do not overdo the pressure	2. Disconnect Power Cable from the Power Strip
3. Ensure work area is clear before heating	3. Submit a maintenance request when needed.	3. Lift up the platen

Personal Protective Equipment

Face Masks & Cleaning Kits are required at all times during the Pandemic

Tool Anatomy

MACHINE ANATOMY

Display
Pressure Adjustment
Swing Handle
Keypad
Lift Handle
Maintenance Tag
Heat Platen
Power Switch

CONTROL PANEL

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Set Temperature

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Set Time

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Set Pressure

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Enter

Tool Safety

To avoid burns, do not touch the heated platen during use.
Keep hands clear of the upper platen of the press during platen lock down as the pressure may cause injury.
Work area must be kept clean, tidy and free of obstructions.
Ensure temperatures are safe to use with material at hand.

Initial Setup

==== SETUP CHECKLIST ====

- Connect the power cable to the power strip
- Power on the power strip
- Position substrate between teflon sheets (use kraft paper if dye sublimating)
- Adjust the pressure and time
- Set the target temperature
- Wait for the target temperature to be reached
- Begin pressing

ADJUST THE PRESSURE

The Actual Platen Pressure displays the manual pressure you are applying (Numbers 1 - 9)

The Target Pressure will always display 0 when manually applying the pressure

1 - 3 = Light Pressure

4 - 7 = Medium Pressure

8 - 9 = Heavy Pressure

Press the Pressure Key for 2 seconds
Raise the platen to the up position, disengaged from the printing plate
Position material on the press plate
Turn the pressure adjustment knob to adjust the pressure

clockwise to increase the pressure
counterclockwise to decrease the pressure

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Lower the platen to print position

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Repeat until the Actual Platen Pressure displays desired setting

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SET THE TEMPERATURE

Press the Temperature Key for 2 seconds

Input the desired temperature

Use 3 digits for fahrenheit
Use 4 digits for centigrade

The press accepts temperatures between
205º - 430º F

Press Enter to set the temperature

SET THE TIME

Press the Time Key for 2 seconds

Input the desired range of seconds in 3 digits
The press accepts inputs of 001-999 seconds

Press Enter to set the time

Your time is now set!

Basic Operation

==== OPERATION CHECKLIST ====

- Preheat press to achieve the target temperature
- Swing platen away from the base
- Position substrate & your graphic between teflon sheets (use paper if dye sublimating)
- Swing platen into final position
- Lower and lock the platen into the press position
- Wait for countdown to complete
- Immediately lift up and swing the platen away
- Remove materials and proceed to application’s instructions
- Monitor the press until the entire run is complete
- Cleanup

Cleanup

==== CLEANUP CHECKLIST ====

- Power off the Power Strip
- Unplug the Heat Press Power Cable from the Power Strip
- Lift up the press
- Monitor the area while platen remains hot
- Note any maintenance needs or concerns on the physical tag and at protohaven.org/maintenance
- Clear the work area, recycling where possible

SCRAP BREAKDOWN

There is one blue scrap bin reserved for vinyl waste and several trash bins in the studio. Maintaining these are a shared, communal responsibility.

When you notice the scrap bins are full, it’s time to take it to the dumpster out back. Feel free to enlist a helping hand.

If you notice valuable material while emptying the bins, use your judgement to selectively save a few pieces or take it home for your personal use.

MAINTENANCE REQUESTS

Update the physical Maintenance Tag at the machine

Green can be used without issue
Yellow can be used with caution
Red cannot be used without hazard to either the user or the equipment

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Record issues at protohaven.org/maintenance. This notifies our staff and volunteer maintenance crew of any issues

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Troubleshooting

If a beep is heard at any time during programming, an error has been made.

The press will not accept temperatures below 205° F (096° C) or above 430° F (221.6° C). If you mistakenly attempt to key in a temperature beyond the allowable range, the press will beep to alert you of your error.

The press will not accept times below 001 or above 999 seconds. If you mistakenly attempt to key in a time beyond the allowable range, the press will beep to alert you of your error.

Special Setups

The Heat Press is a versatile tool in the printing process that allows you to get extremely creative with your work! Combining your use of the Heat Press with other tools is what will help you push the boundaries.

The Heat Press is most commonly used with the Vinyl Cutter and the Dye Sublimation Printer.

Printing registration marks in your artwork will allow you to make highly repeatable, complex cuts at the Vinyl Cutter, Laser Cutter, or CNC Router once your artwork is transferred to the final substrate.