how to build the ezexpose ebook 2.3 meg

Assembly Plans and Operating Instructions

Copyright MMXI, ASPA, Inc. All Rights Reserved

How to BuildThe E-Z ExposeExposure Unit

Copyright MXII, ASPA, Inc. All Rights Reserved

INTRODUCTIONThe E-Z Expose exposure is a light exposure system used for making screens for screenprinting. Its easy to build and operate. You can easily obtain all of the parts needed for the unitfrom a variety of sources (both local and online).

Were going to show you the 4 simple steps to building and operating your unit:1. Where to obtain the necessary parts to build the unit.2. How to cut out the top shelf piece.3. How to assemble the unit.4. How to expose a screen.

Before we begin, heres some important info about exposure units in general...

The purpose of an exposure unit is to produce light for creating a stenciled image on anemulsion coated screen.

Commercially made exposure units use many different types of light sources including metalhalide, mercury vapor, halogen, and fluorescent lamps, depending on the manufacturer.

The best type of light source is one that is rich in UV (ultra violet) light. Metal halide andmercury vapor lamps produce a high UV output, while halogen and fluorescent produce alower UV output. To keep the cost as reasonable as possible, the E-Z Expose uses afluorescent light. The fluorescent lamp also produces light with very little heata safety featurethat it is important for many users.

If you are using a photopolymer emulsion or photopolymer capillary film (which we highlyrecommend), the type of exposure lamp is not that critical for creating stencils. Modern, highspeed photo emulsions are designed for screen making when the light source is less thanideal. As a result, the fluorescent light source in the E-Z Expose will produce great results formost of your screen making jobs. If you are going to be printing lots of images that containhalftones, you may want to consider purchasing a metal halide or mercury vapor light source,as they will do a better job for you.

The last detail that we want to discuss about exposure units is the technique that is used tohold the screen down against the exposure glass during the exposure process. Its veryimportant that the screen have a very tight contact with the film positive (the artwork) on theglass when the screen is being exposed. If the screen is not tight against the glass (and filmpositive), the stencil will not be clear and sharp. Many commercial exposure units use avacuum pump and rubber blanket arrangement to pull the screen very tightly against the glass.Vacuum systems greatly increase cost of the exposure unit.

The E-Z Expose utilizes a very simple hold-down method. Simply placing a cardboard insertinside the screen with a cloth and a weighed object does the job very well. This is a tried andtrue hold-down technique and keeps the cost of the unit down to earth. Youll see how to do itthe Operations section. It is also shown in the operations video as well.

Now that weve discussed the purpose and science of exposure units, lets get started andbuild one for you...


PartsSection


THE PARTS LISTHeres a list (and estimated cost) of the parts:

1. Plastic Shelving: $49.992. Exposure Light: $49.993. Glass: $35.004. Digital Timer: $6.005. Light Scatter Cloth: $5.00

Where to source each part:

1. Plastic Shelving.The ideal shelving unit is: (available at Home Depot and elsewhere)Workforce 24 in. 5-Shelf Plastic, Ventilated Storage Shelving, 24 in. Depth x 36 in. Width x 72in. Height, Holds 1,000 lbs. Model # 17601471 Home Depot Store SKU # 902519Lowes sells a similar shelving unit. You can find 24 X 36 X 72 plastic shelving units at manyhome building and hardware stores. TIP: Do a keyword search online for 24 X 36 X 72 plas-tic shelving to locate the shelving system online and for best pricing.

2. Exposure LightThe ideal lighting system is: (available at Home Depot and elsewhere)Designers Edge 65 Watt Fluorescent WorklightModel # L-2004 Internet # 100655361Sears and Northerntool.com sell the same or similar unit. TIP: Do a keyword search online forfluorescent work light to locate online and for best pricing.

3. GlassYou will need to buy the sheet of plate glass for your exposure unit at your local glass store.Order a sheet of 1/4 thick plate clear glass that is 35 long X 20 wide. Tell the folks at theglass store that you are going to be using the glass for a photographic process and that youneed the glass to be free of any optical defects. Ask that the edges of the glass be polished.

4. Digital TimerThis is the timer you will use to time your exposures. This type of timer is available at Walmart,Target, Kmart, etc. TIP: Do a keyword search online for digital timer to locate online and forbest pricing.Here are two low cost models, both available at Walmart:Mainstays Digital Timer Model No. 01087WSunbeam Digital Timer Model No. 61050W

5. Light scatter containment clothThis cloth is to be placed inside the screen when during exposure. Its purpose is to keepunwanted light from scattering during the exposure process. You can buy this cloth at yourlocal fabric store, craft store or Walmart. Order a piece of black, felt cloth that is completelyopaque. Have them cut you a piece of cloth that is 36 wide X 24 long.


PARTS PHOTOS 1

Shelving is a (5) shelf unit. The exposure unit will use only (3) of the shelves.

Fluorescent Exposure Light


PARTS PHOTOS 2

Exposure Glass

Digital Timer Light Scatter Cloth


How toCut OutThe Top

Shelf


CUTTING OUT THE TOP SHELF PIECEThis is the only difficult part of making your expose unit. You will need to cut out the interiorsection of one of the shelves. This will allow the light to come through without obstruction.

The photos below show you how to do it...

Using a oscillating multifunction power tool, cut out the inside gridwork fromone of the shelves. You can also use a handsaw (but it will take longer).You can buy a power tool for around $30 online (or rent one for a few bucks).

If you want a nice, smooth finish, use some duct tape to cover the rough edg-es where you made your cut out. Your finished top shelf should look like thephoto above. Notice how the glass fits perfectly on top of the shelf.


AssemblySection


ASSEMBLING YOUR EXPOSURE UNIT - PG. 1

Heres how to do itstep by step...

Place a shelf on the floor. Were going to build from the ground up...

Step 1

Step 2

Place a support tube in each corner of the shelf.


ASSEMBLING YOUR EXPOSURE UNIT - PG.2Step 3

Add another shelf. Tap it in with rubber mallet for a secure fit.

Step 4

Add (4) more support tubes...


ASSEMBLING YOUR EXPOSURE UNIT - PG. 3Step 5

Add the top shelf for the exposure glass...

Step 6

Carefully place the exposure glass in place...


ASSEMBLING YOUR EXPOSURE UNIT - PG. 4Step 7

Use the clip on the digital timer and place it on one of open tubes. Place your expo-sure lamp on the middle shelf. Congratulations! Youre ready to start making screens!


OperationsSection


HOW TO EXPOSE A SCREEN - PG. 1

Step 1

Turn the exposure lamp on and allow it to warm up for at least 10 minutes.Do this before every screen burning session.



Step 1

Tape your film positive to the exposure unit glass.TIP: Using removable tape (available at most office supply stores) makes

things much easier if you going to be burning more than one screen.

Step 2

Place a coated screen on the glass over the film positive.



Step 3

Place the felt cloth over the screen.

Step 4

Cut out a piece of heavy cardboard and place it inside of the screen snugly.TIP: Keep this piece of cardboardyou will use it over and over.



Step 5

Place a couple of galllon ink containers on the cardboard to get a firm hold-down.You can use any type of hold-down weight that you like, but be sure to get the

screen tight against the exposure glass. This step is very important.A less than firm contact will result in a poor stencil.

Step 6

Set your timer and expose the screen for (5) minutes... This assumes you are using photo-polymer emulsion. You may need to adjust your exposure time for other emulsion types.



Step 7

Washout the stencil using tepid water.Congratulations, youve made a screen!


VideoSection


VIDEOS OF THE EZ EXPOSE EXPOSURE UNIT

Below are a series of videos that show everything you need to know about the E-Z Expose.Just click on a link to see each video. (You will need internet access to view the videos).

1. Unpacking your E-Z EXPOSE.2. How to assemble the E-Z EXPOSE.3. How to clean/degrease a screen.4. How to coat a screen with capillary film.5. How to set up E-Z EXPOSE for an exposure.6. How to expose a screen with E-Z EXPOSE.

7. How to wash out a screen after exposure.


The How to Build the E-Z Expose Exposure Unitis a presentation of

American Screen Printing Association (ASPA) Inc.

Screen Printing Training | Screen Printer Certification

IntroductionParts SectionHow to Cut Out the Top ShelfAssembly SectionOperations SectionVideo Section

how to build the ezexpose ebook 2.3 meg

Documents

light exposure system

exposure glass

exposure process

commercial exposure

science of exposure

fluorescent light source

afluorescent light

violet light