12/22

Title

Heat press for plastics recycling and screen printing

Proposer

Lottie Matless and Victoria Catten

Date proposed

12/3/2022

Date for Decision

TBA 12/4/22

Cost

TBA

What is being asked for

Heated press with a work area of around A4 (210 x 297 mm) Adjustable temperature up to 250c Timer Pressure??

- Acrylic 160 °C - HDPE 125 °C

Why/how this will be good to have

* Make jewellery and accessories from acrylic and other plastics
* Screenprinted garments need heat and pressure to fix ink
* Thermo transfers to fabric (iron on transfers)
* Recycling offcuts back into sheets for reuse
* Melty abstract art projects

Buy

Crenex 30x38cm Heat Press £95 https://www.onbuy.com/gb/crenex-30x38cm-heat-press-machine-printer-transfer-t-shirt~c9991~p45925911/

Build

A cheap PID controller kit can be used to keep any 240v heating element at a set value. This is what was used for the Plastics Oven and is very easy to get working. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yosoo-Health-Gear-Temperature-Thermocouple/dp/B08JKV78RW https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/heating-elements/9210032

The frame is the harder bit and would require some design thought. We can make a metal frame and source some heavy steel plate. Some thought would be needed as to how to apply pressure, lead screw or levers. Could reuse something like the book press.

Who is for it

Victoria Catten, Lottie, Toby C, Peter H, Marion, Alan, TimP