Registering Process color on a twin tower 2 color

I am new to running process work on an A.B. Dick 9995 twin tower (aka Ryobi 3302).

I have run A.B. Dick Duplicators for the last 30 years 9870, 360, 8820.

Process is new to me and I want to get any tips I can to master it quickly.

I had instruction for two hours from a service tech that knew how to set the machine up but not much at all about running it. I seemed to learn more from the Japanese translation manual which is not all that informative than from the tech, I even taught the tech a few things. Frustrating when you are trying to learn and keep a job in this economy.

I know which spring guides to use reguarding card stock or paper, however
the amount of bending of the springs and how many springs to use is a question I have.

Also after setting up the first two colors do you run a certain amount of sheets back through to see if the first pass is good and accurate?

If you have a three project job, Letterhead, # 10 envelopes, and 9x12 envelopes do you run the first two colors on all and readjust and hope to line up the second two perfectly on the second pass or stick with one size and set up at a time and do the wash ups.

I have found after some practice I can hit on a second pass running the same job through 95% dead on hit and a few sheets are not dead on. Is this acceptable and normal and you just pick those out at the end of the run on four color or should all sheets hit dead on in perfect register.

How many sheets of set up and waste is normal for a typical process job on a two tower.

Thanks in advance for any helpfull advice.

 

Thanks, You just asked all the questions i wanted to ask, I just bought a Itek 3302 AKA Ryobi 3302. Looking to do my first process job on it tomorrow. Thou ive done a few spot colour jobs on it.

 

Be sure to check your registration on every pass. Take 20-30 sheets printed and run them back thru and look for any bounce. I run the first 2 colors on all so say LH, BC then #10. I'll start the 2nd pass with the #10 as it's already setup and in most cases dry enough to do so. Be sure you change your blankets from flat sheets to envelopes!! It keeps them nice for full coverage work and running excessive pressure. It's a PIA yes but worth the effort. Adjust your feed roller pressure on each stock like hopefully the tech showed you. Whatever your text setting is go 3 clicks right (loosen) for cardstock and 2 more for #10's. You don't want to beat that lower feed roller any more than you have to. You can go + or - depending what works the best for you. On the jogger I use like 1/16"+ push with the skid wheels just kissing the tail of the sheet. Or just a hair off the tail. See which works for you as all stocks are different. Any Ryobi 3302 will register very nicely for the most part setup correctly. Use a good oil base ink and be sure your flat stock is cut nicely. Take your time and you'll do fine. I've been at this some 32 years and have a few impressions under my belt.

 

Thanks, You just asked all the questions i wanted to ask, I just bought a Itek 3302 AKA Ryobi 3302. Looking to do my first process job on it tomorrow. Thou ive done a few spot colour jobs on it.

REPLY:

It's hard to learn when you just have a job thrown at you to do, as I just did on my press with no training and the job is worth $20,000. I pulled it off and learned a few tips along the way which I hope could help you.

I have a ripit platemaker which is the bottom of the barrel for plates and it is old, I have to trim them to get them the right size and do extra work on the press to compensate for the flaws.

I don't know what platemaker you have but here are things I learned on this very stressfull job I had to pull off.

1. Make sure your plates are the right size according to the press specs.

2. Group the two of four colors that are the tighest register and run them together, whether they are on the first or second pass.

3. Use the right springs on the register board for the type of stock you are using, heavy springs for card stock, thin for paper.

4. Test run and spend the time you need to get the feed right on the first pass. The springs should barely move 1mm or less and keep it consistant.

5. Run 100 or more run it back through the press and make sure you can hit the first pass dead on to the second. If you can't don't proceed with the job until you can.

6. Side to side is an adjustment on the feed board with the perfect spring bend, vertical adjustments are made within the buckle control, that's what I'ts called it on the A.B Dick duplicators, and it does the same function.

7. If you can't nail on two passes the same image hitting in the same spot on the first two colors don't go on with the job it will never line up and you found out too late.

Perfect the first pass and testing rerunning it through, you got it made.

Color is another issue I am dealing with, on that job I ran I did consistant density and ink coverage, not too heavy.

No densitometer, crummy register marks and no designer who knows about grey component replacement in the design. I had so many overlapping of colors that were unnecessary which caused drying issues.

I ran cyan in the first head and magenta in the second on the first pass.(the largest coverage side first due to issues I felt would be a problem with powder build up on so many passes. I know some people run a dry run of the stock to get rid of some of it and it can be an issue with going through the press 4 times and it was a run of 15,000.

The next day I ran yellow in the first head and black in the second.


I hope this helps and let me know how you make out .
We are all in this together right???).

 

Thanks for the info and it's great to get support from those who have great knowledge to those just learning and can pick up tips.

 

HEY where in CT do you work? I just noticed your location.

 

Westport, where are you in CT?

It's nice to know some of us are still working in this field in this state.

 

I work in Milford. Yep lots of places gone under. We're a really small shop and I do all the printing and finishing work. We have 1 full time creative guy and a part timer 3 days a week. 1 sales guy and that's it.

 

I have a Question. I have an ab dick 360 that the air system is working ok, but all it does is blow the paper off the tray instead of picking it up off the tray. What should I do to get it to pick up the paper?

 

ABD 360 should have a T valve or pullup/pushdown on each of the sucker foot tubes. Be sure that first they are on and second only the sucker feet that hit the paper are open. So depending on what sheet size you run will determine how many feet should be open. You can also alternate them 1 on next one off. Few ways to run them and trial and error till you see what works best for you. Also be sure the bail bar is for the correct stocks (light for text and heavy for cover) and in the right holes. There again see what hole location is best for the bar. I can't remember it's been 20 years since I ran one. Also paper pile height is key. Text weight will run a lower pile height than card normally. Last blower and suction settings be sure they are correct to fluff the sheets enough and still have good suction from the feet. These are a few or the more common setup things to look at. Also be sure all the pump hoses and clamps are in place and pump fittings as well. But it sounds like your pump works ok? If so it's just a learning curve until you know the press a little better. hth.

 

If for some reason the sucker tubes don't have a shutoff valve stick a small piece of tape under the suckers not used. I think some of the older 360's were like this. FWIW.