HOTRONIX by STAHLS - HEAT TRANSFER PRESS - AUTO-OPENING - CAP/HAT PRESS with 6 PLATENS
Description:
Hotronix thermal transfer press.
Hotronix® Cap Auto-opening Mfg Specs:
- UL/ULC/CE approved for electrical safety
- 90° opening for easy cap placement
- Auto open
- 3.5 x 6 Standard lower platen
- 5 additional, optional lower platens
- Easy change feature, when switching platens
- Platinum RDT heat sensor
- Fully digital time and temperature
- Press size 20”L x 9”W x 18”H
- One year parts warranty
- Lifetime warranty on the heater block
Platen Function and Sizes
Youth Platen - 2.5 x 3
Full Size Platen - 4 x 6.5
Low Crown Platen - 2.75 x 6.5
Foam Front Platen - 4 x 8
6 Panel Platen - 3 x 5.75
This machine is a reasonably priced, very rugged, upscale cap press.
Here's why-
First, this press is built like a tank; solid, with a feeling of invincibility.
Second, and perhaps most importantly, is the availability of six different sizes of lower platens (all other cap press that we know about only offer three). If you have never done caps before you probably don't know how critical having the right sized platen is, for efficient, quality production. The importance of having a perfectly fitted lower platen cannot be over-stated. The reason it is so critical is that in the press, you are putting a curved object on top of another curved object. If the radii of the two curves don't match (too large or too small), you will get a “hump” somewhere in the cap front (unfortunately, usually in the middle). At best, this effect makes some caps very difficult to imprint. At worst, some types of caps will be impossible to imprint, without creasing. The extra, optional platen sizes are: Youth – 2.5 x 3, Full – 4 x 6.5, Low Crown – 2.75 x 6.5, Foam Front – 4 x 8 and 6 Panel – 3 x 5.75.
Third, is the innovative hold-down device of the Hotronix® Cap press. Every other cap press has some type of spring-loaded hold-down at the bottom of the press. With this system, the back of the cap is hooked onto the hold-down and then you lift the cap and bring it up, to position it on the lower platen. While the tension is not great, there is enough (especially on small caps) to often cause a bit of a “struggle”, to seat the cap on the platen correctly. The Hotronix® hold-down is so simple. On the Hotronix® press, the cap is put on the lower platen first. The position of the seated cap puts the back of the cap very close to the lower platen support. After positioning the cap, you then push a small lever on the right side of the platen support. This lever pushes a hold-down bar down, inside the cap, and it is secured. Very cool!
Other points of interest:
* The platens are very “quick-change”. Pull one straight up, out of the centering pins and put another in its place.
* The 90° opening means that there is no danger of burning your hands.
* The auto-open feature is very handy.
* The largest lower platen (4x8) is big enough to put most “iron-on” patches on jeans, jackets and shirts.
* Cap presses don't need as much power as a big 16x20 press, but at 500 watts, it is 50 watts more powerful than others.
This press is a winner, which will serve you well, for many years.
Some closing notes: The most important benefit is the large selection of lower platens.