2.5mm Makeready steel plate for Windmill GT
Does anyone know what purpose is served by the steel plate on the makeready bed (the one secured with the three screws) on the Heidelberg Windmill GT (13×18)?
It comes in 2mm, 2.5mm, and 3mm thicknesses. If you print WITHOUT it (I have the 2.5mm version), you need a hell of a lot of packing. If you print WITH it, the forme kisses the tympan (at zero impression), which is a mess.
I’ve attached an image of the bed without the 2.5mm steel plate.
makeready_bed.jpg
most people print against something. Phenolic, chipboard, or whatever, using a 1/4” die on a mounting base, The .918 cutting die is a bit lower in height. The cutting platen fills that void and protects the actual bed from very sharp and hardened steel rule.
This is a steel plate that is screwed into the platen onto which the makeready is placed. Profoil calls it a GT makeready plate - but you’re saying it’s a die-cutting jacket?
Do you happen to have the manual for this press; probably not or you wouldn’t be posting here. You need a thinner plate that you can add your packing over. Packing thickness should be in the range of .040 (guessing).
I do have the manual and the parts list for the GT, but there’s no mention of any such plate in either. I watched a YouTube video on halftone printing on the Windmill GT (https://youtu.be/h1bt3pom_MQ) and it doesn’t use a plate. I’m just curious if it’s just a “trick” to not have to use so much packing (three red boards + other packing or similar).
the 3mm is correct for printing. Back off impression. 2mm is ideal for embossing.
the 3mm is correct for printing. Back off impression. 2mm is ideal for embossing. you must have a model GTK if the platen has been ground. normal GT versions do not have a platen. Same as the T platen.
the 3mm is correct for printing. Back off impression. 2mm is ideal for embossing. you must have a model GTK if the platen has been ground. normal GT versions do not have a ground platen or plate. Same as the T platen.
Huh! That’s really interesting. My machine’s serial number is GT 62 955 E (not “GTK”). But I guess it does provide one with some extra flexibility. Thanks so much for your input. Do you have one of these?