AM.CO.ZA Heatware Roller Heat Press Assembly, Installation, Calibration and Testing – How-to Guide

Unbox and assemble the machine according to the following video:

Open the left-hand panel using the keys provided and connect the power onto the machine breaker. Only Live and Neutral is to be connected. The power requirements for the machine are as follows: Single Phase 220V Household Power with Maximum 6kW Output (18-55Amp) so a 60A breaker will be sufficient.

Turn on the machine using the flip switch on the breaker and the Power Switch on the control panel. Also turn on the heat press roller then the heating drum + blanket will start rolling. Adjust the blanket tension by turning the lever on either side clockwise/anti-clockwise. It is of importance to have the same tension adjustment on both sides so as to have the blanket as flat as possible across the heating drum. A common question that might be asked is “How tight is tight enough?” As long as the blanket is not loose and doesn’t slip that will be good enough. Due to constant heating the blanket will shrink over time so clients will be expected to slightly loosen it every now and then.

Turn on the Heating and set the final temperature to 210C using the Set button followed by the up and down arrows for the actual temperature adjustments. Over a couple of minutes the drum will start heating up to the set temperature. As soon as the actual temperature matches the set temperature the machine will be ready for operation. It is advisable to dry run the machine for 3+ hours before use with low-speed roller setting.

For the actual transfer arrange the material in the following order:

• Sublimation Print, which is supposed to be mirrored, goes closest to the heating drum.
• Fabric for the print to be transferred onto.
• Brown protection paper goes closet to the blanket (Optional but helps in giving the transfer a more even and cleaner finish).

Be careful in making sure the whole print is covered by the fabric as any uncovered section will be transferred onto the blanket. It is best practice to run both the Sublimation Print and the Fabric through the tensioners that are part of the feeding platform. Whilst the machine is still new the blanket might slightly shift left/right as it runs. This can be rectified either by loosening and manually moving the blanket or by reversing the direction of the feed.

Our best test results were achieved at 210c and 50% speed. Both can be adjusted as per client requirements and preferences.