The Big Interview The Autotac
He attended a graphic design course at Camborne College in Cornwall 37 years ago where screen printing was a module included in the course, he instantly took to it and has stuck with it ever since. The story behind the development of the Autotac is quite interesting, as Steve explains: “After many years of using spray adhesives, I became intolerant to the vapours; even though I wore a mask I began to feel dizzy and nauseous after spraying the carousel platens. “The adhesive is also very messy and regardless of how careful I was when spraying the pallets, excess adhesive would stick to the carousel and workshop floor. “In time this built up, and I would have to lose a dayʼs production in order to shut down and clean the machinery and workshop. I just thought there must be a better way to apply spray adhesive. This is by far my preferred method of applying adhesive to the pallets, so I made it my mission to come up with a solution.”
T
he next product was found on the Screentech Design stand. It was invented by Steve Iles, a screen printer by trade.
The Autotac in operation
I just thought there must be a better way to apply spray adhesive. This is by far my preferred method of applying adhesive to the pallets, so I made it my mission to come up with a solution.
– Steve Iles
The resulting product was the Autotac. It was developed over a period of a few years and the prototype has been in operation in Steveʼs print shop for over a year. Production models are currently being manufactured, with orders being taken. As the name suggests Autotac applies spray glue easily, accurately and safely. Consisting of a motorised cradle, which takes a standard aerosol can, a hood and a filter the Autotac coats the screen print platen at the push of a button. Because of the enclosed system this makes the process more environmentally friendly and this is carried through with both the hood and the filter being made from cardboard and, therefore, completely recyclable. Once the platen has been sprayed a vacuum fan extracts the residue with the airborne particles being caught in the filter and the gas exhausted through a vent. The Autotac currently works best with manual screen print carousels. It can be used with automatic carousels, but the operator must be prepared to slow down production slightly to co-ordinate with the speed of the Autotac. Steve says he is hoping to develop a model that is even faster that will work efficiently with the average speed of most automatic screen printing carousels.
Steve believes the need for the Autotac machine has been identified by many screen printers, but as he explains: “Perhaps in many businesses the development teams may not actually be the people operating the machines and experiencing the problems.” He adds that he has always been very hands-on and has had first-hand experience of the effects spray adhesive can have on health and the working environment. Just like the Squand, the Autotac received its debut at Printwear & Promotion LIVE! back in February. Steve and his team took the product along to establish if there was a substantial demand for it. “I wanted to get as much market feedback as possible before proceeding with the expense of launching it,” says Steve. “All feedback was positive; I received many enquiries and even confirmed the first sale before the official launch.” Steve concludes: “I am thrilled with the Autotac and I honestly wouldnʼt be without it in my workshop.”
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk Side view of the Autotac
The Squand and the Autotac prove that screen printers don’t need to overhaul their entire equipment set-up to improve the efficiency or working environment of their print shop. Sometimes the simplest ideas really can make a difference.
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