Is there a manual for this machine? Or does anyone know how to use it?

January 7, 2021 1:41 PM

Mrs. Example recently decided to get (back) into screen printing, and bought this machine...it's an exposure unit (possibly UV-based) for treating the screens. As near as we can tell, it's a Protolight Mk 2 BT manufactured by Protokote Ltd. However, there weren't any instructions included, and judicious googling hasn't revealed any kind of manual or really anyone who's had experience with the thing. So hope us, MetaFilter. Has anyone seen one of these and know how to use it, or where we could find a manual?

Mrs. Example has just poked her head over my shoulder to say that I should mention that she has messaged the seller on eBay, who's provided a few helpful instructions, but she'd love some actual documentation if there's any to be had.

posted by Mr. Bad Example to Technology (3 answers total)

I haven't used one of these in a decade, but the last time was at Artist's Image Resource in Pittsburgh. If you can't dig one up via Mefites, AIR might have one, or at least a set of informal instructions they've written up for community members over the years.
posted by knucklebones at 2:28 PM on January 7, 2021

The shop I work in does screen printing. I'm not a screen printer, but the person who is is a quite friendly, and I'm sure could give pointers if needed.
posted by booooooze at 3:54 PM on January 7, 2021

I haven't done a ton of screenprinting recently, though I have used older exposure units like the one pictured back in the day..

I actually think any book about screenprinting - i mean, ideally an older text book/how to sort of one - eg something your local library or a library in your library's larger system - might have would theoretically be enough to help you with this. The vacuum pump switch is to turn on the vacuum pump to help create a seal so no outside light gets in. The exposure timer does.. what it says it does, keeps the lights on for x seconds/minutes -- how long you expose for you can determine from reading the literature / advice of the screen emulsion manufacturer.

you could probably post that pic for the folks at this forum i found when I did a little google to see what the backlight was for (i think it's for examining your screen once you have exposed and washed it.. but not super sure on that.. )

if you learn best by chatting with folks i'd google "community screen printing studio" and call some of em up, even if none are in your area maybe somebody at one of them would be glad to help you by just chatting with you briefly about it .. you could even say, i want to compensate you for your time , if there's some way .. maybe make a small donation or something. Sometimes a conversation is worth a thousand googles.
posted by elgee at 8:27 PM on January 7, 2021 [1 favorite]