Hot Stamping Machines and Accessories

PHONE: (888) 375-8375 FAX: (661) 272-0500

www.aamstamp.com / sales@aamstamp.com

Sprite Owners Guide

For use in the EU and USA

Home of the Perfect Impression

Sprite Owners Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction and Safety Precautions……………….........……………….

Heat, Pressure and Dwell….........…….............……………………………

Sprite Diagram, Left ………………………………………………………….

Sprite Diagram, Right ……………………………………………………….

Choosing the Proper Cushion Board….........……………………………..

10 X 12 Base Plate …………………………………………………………….

Type and Die Holders ………………………………………………………..

Type Holder Adapter Sleeves ……………………………………………….

Napkin Printing Instructions ……………………………………………….

Adjusting the typehead height .............................................................

Helpful hints / Technical Support .........................................................

Replacing The Heater ...........................................................................

AAmstamp Machine Company LLC 38960 Trade Center Drive, Suite B Palmdale, California, 93551, USA 661-272-0500 Fx 661-272-0505

PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL COMPLETELY BEFORE OPERATING EQUIPMENT

INTRODUCTION

For years nothing has equaled the appearance and quality of foil imprinting. Printing with ink does not offer

the vibrant color of foil. In addition, foil imprinting imparts a 3-dimensional effect that is not obtainable with

conventional ink printing. Foils are uniformly opaque, odorless, non-liquid and are smear free. The foil

imprinting process transfers the color of the foil to an item by the application of heat and pressure. The three

basic elements needed to create a quality foil imprint are the proper amount of heat, pressure and dwell (the

length of time the type and dies are in contact with the product.)

AAmstamp's personalizing machines are designed to give you the power of a big press in a table top

machine. The Sprite Machine and it’s accessories, type, dies, emblems and foils are the highest quality and

easiest to use products available today. This Equipment is not intended for use by persons(including

children) with reduced sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge.Children should

not play with the equipment.

After reviewing this manual, please call our customer service department toll free, in USA (888) 375-8375

with any questions you may have.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

AAmstamp's printing machine is an electric tool and as such, basic safety precautions should be followed. Taking these precautions will reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, or personal injury. The means of disconnecting the power supply from the mains is by removing the plug from the socket-outlet.

Keep your area clean and clutter free.

Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry which could become entangled in the machine.

Machine for indoor use only. Do not use the machine in a damp or wet place, or expose it to rain. Do not use the machine in the presence of flammable liquids or gases.

Maschine nur zur Verwendung im Innenbereich geeignet. Verwenden Sie das Gerät nicht in einer feuchten oder nassen Platz, und setzen Sie es an zu regnen. Verwenden Sie das Gerät nicht in der Nähe von brennbaren Flüssigkeiten oder Gasen.

Do not touch the Typehead/Ram Bar assembly. These parts of the machine have operating temperatures that can cause serious burns.

Berühren Sie nicht die Kopf/Ram. Diese Teile der Maschine sind die Temperaturen, die zu schweren Verätzungen führen kann.

If supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacture, its service agent or other qualified persons to avoid avoid hazards.

Wenn das Netzkabel beschädigt ist, muss es ersetzt werden durch die Herstellung, den Service Agenten oder andere qualifizierte Personen zur Vermeidung von Gefährdungen.

6 Note the voltage on the power source. AAmstamp equipment runs on standard 230V~50Hz. in the EU. In the U.S. 120V~60Hz

Bitte beachten Sie die Spannung an der Steckdose. AAmstamp Ausrüstung läuft auf Standard 230V~ 50Hz einstellen. In den USA 120V~ 60Hz

AAmstamp equipment should not be used while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

AAmstamp Anlagen sollten nicht verwendet werden, während unter dem Einfluss von Alkohol oder Drogen.

GETTING STARTED

1. Read this Owners Guide from cover to cover.
2. Unpack and inspect all equipment, accessories and supplies
3. Place the Sprite on a table capable of supporting 16 Kg (60 pounds).
4. If you ordered a type style, please be aware that certain styles may take extra time to arrive. Use extra caution when opening type, as the type is fragile and the characters can easily fall out of the package. When first opening the package use special care to keep the type in order and place into a type box in the appropriate locations to keep letters separate. It can take an extensive amount of time to resort type if it should get mixed up. Also be aware that the amount of type you will receive per character will vary depending on the frequency of it’s use in language (For example you will receive more e’s then z’s).
5. Ensure the temperature controller knob is turned to the OFF position
6. Plug The Sprite into a standard (in EU)CEE 7/7 230V~50Hz(in US, NEMA 5-15 120V~60Hz) electrical outlet).
7. Setup Type / Die Holder: Type is set right-side up and backwards. Use character spacers between letters and block or line spacers to fill up blank lines. Always make sure the type and dies are sitting flush to the bottom of the typeholder. This ensures a level printing surface. You can use tweezers to make it easier to handle the type when hot.
8. Load Foil.(See pg. 6)
9. Insert the typeholder directly into the typehead unless you are using a single line or two

line holder. If you are using one of these holders you will need to use an appropriate adaptor sleeve. To do this, you first insert the adaptor sleeve into the typehead and lock it in place using the retaining lever on the adaptor sleeve. Then you can insert the appropriate typeholder into the adaptor sleeve.

10. Turn temperature controller to setting number 3 (233ºF/112º C). This should be a good starting

point after which you should gradually increase the temperature to find the ideal setting for your application.. Most products print in the range between 220°F and 280°F.(104º-137ºC)

11. Allow The Sprite to warm up for a period of 5-10 minutes.
12. Choose the appropriate alignment tools for your job (Gauge Bar Guide, Ribbon Plate, Napkin Guide, Business Card Guide, Match Guide, or Pencil Guide, etc.) and set up the alignment tools on the table plate of the machine.
13. Choose the proper cushion board. A cushion board of some kind is necessary so that damage to the type will not occure.
14. Begin printing by pulling down the machine handle. Control quality of print by varying pressure and dwell (duration of print). A typical dwell is 1-2 seconds.

Additional Helpful Items Ruler : To measure product and for aligning fixtures. Tape : To secure foil onto take up spool. Scissors : To Cut excess Foil.

HEAT, PRESSURE AND DWELL

Heat: Heat is controlled by using the analog temperature controller located on the left rear of the machine.

Pressure: Pressure is controlled by the feel of the operator while pulling the machine handle attached to the upper right quadrant of the machine. You need to apply enough pressure to fully imprint your type and die setup into your product. Larger print areas or hard materials require more pressure.

Dwell: Dwell is the amount of time the hot type is in contact with the foil and the product to be printed. The user controls the dwell time by the length of time the handle is pulled.

THE HEAT, PRESSURE AND DWELL TRIANGLE

The three aspects that control the quality of the foil imprint are heat, pressure and dwell. These three aspects form the heat, pressure and dwell triangle (see diagram). For example, you can increase the dwell and use less pressure. You will need to experiment with your first printed article to determine the best combination of heat, pressure and dwell.

HEAT

TEMPERATURE SETTING

On the left rear of the machine there is an analog temperature controller with a single knob. To change the setting, turn the knob counter-clockwise to setting one (low) and continue counter-clockwise to setting eight (high). Alternatively you can turn the knob clockwise (to the right) and go directly to the number eight high setting. Temperatures above 350° are seldom used for foil printing and may melt some brands of type. The following table illustrates the approximate temperature at each setting. SETTING 0: OFF SETTING 0: OFF SETTING 1: 100°F SETTING 1: 38°C SETTING 2: 189°F SETTING 2: 88°C

SETTING 3: 233°F SETTING 3: 112°C

SETTING 4: 277°F SETTING 4: 135°C SETTING 5: 318°F SETTING 5: 160°C SETTING 6: 358°F SETTING 6: 181°C SETTING 7: 400°F SETTING 7: 205°C SETTING 8: 440°F SETTING 8: 226°C

NOTE: *** THE MOST COMMON OPERATING TEMPERATURE RANGE IS BETWEEN 189° AND 277° DEGREES (SETTING 2 THROUGH 4) *** HINWEIS: *** DIE HÄUFIGSTEN Betriebstemperaturbereich liegt zwischen 88°C und 135°C Grad ***

LOADING FOIL

Remove the rear foil dereeler spool from the rear foil bracket by opening the brass tension springs on both sides of foil bracket. The rear spool has markings used to center 2, 3, 4 and 5 inch foil rolls. Slide the roll of foil onto the spool and put it back on the foil bracket so that the foil feeds from the top of the roll and toward the operator. Feed your foil under the foil guide bars and attach foil to the front foil take up spool with a small piece of tape. Replace the spool on the front foil take up bracket. Foil color should face up.

MANUAL FOIL ADVANCE KNOB

The foil advance knob is located on the left side of the front foil take up spool and is 1 3/4” in diameter. To adjust your foil simply turn the knob counter-clockwise between each print. Check to make sure you that you pulled the used foil past the typehead, so that during the next print there will be new unprinted foil underneath it.

SPRITE DIAGRAM

On/Off Temperature Control Knob

CHOOSING THE PROPER CUSHION BOARD

Cushion Boards are made of polyurethane material and are designed to give cushion to your products while they are being printed.

Cushion boards serve two main purposes. They keep the type and dies from penetrating your product while at the same time allowing the type and dies to gain enough impression to give a crisp clear imprint.

HARD CUSHION BOARDS: For printing one or two small lines of type and will keep the type from penetrating your product.

MEDIUM CUSHION BOARDS: Used most often, these cushion boards are used for one to four line printing of 18 point or smaller type styles that have medium to bold lettering.

SOFT CUSHION BOARDS: Used when doing more then four lines of print or large print areas that contain big bold lettering.

AAMSTAMP ATTACHMENTS

AAmstamp attachments are designed to make printing particular products easier. AAmstamp attachments are sold separately.

AAmstamp Currently has the following attachments available:

The 10 x 12 Base Plate Optional Ribbon Guides for Base Plate Optional Napkin Guide for Base Plate Ribbon Supply Spindle AAmstamp Gauge Bar with side guide Napkin Guide Pencil Attachment Guide Poker Chip Fixture Wire Marking Fixture Shrink Tubing Fixture

The multi-purpose gauge bar is used as a hold down clamp for other attachments such as cushion boards, match guides, etc.. The gauge bar will hold the attachments firmly in place and has measuring marks to center the attachment being used.

THE 10 X 12 BASE PLATE

The AAmstamp 10x12 Ribbon and Stationary Plate offers you the most flexibility in printing ribbon and stationary. This plate is commonly used for printing ribbon(Ribbon guides sold seperatly) or stationary such as business cards, postcards, greeting cards and objects such as photo albums, folders and portfolios.

Setup Instructions for printing ribbon Ribbon guides optional on base plate.

Slide the 10x12 plate over the table plate of the sprite and push it all the way to the back. Then lock the plate in place using the clamp knob on the top-right side of the 10x12 plate.

When printing ribbon you should remove the side adjustment plate from the 10x12 base plate.

Load the ribbon onto the AAmstamp Ribbon Spindle. Place the ribbon spindle to the right side of the 10x12 base plate so that the ribbon can be easily fed through the plate.Ribbon Spindle sold seperatly.

Loosen all four of the ribbon guide slider adjustment knobs located on the bottom side of the 10x12 plate. Ribbon guide attachment sold seperatly.

Feed the ribbon through the 10x12 plate. Feed the ribbon from underneath the main base plate and bring it up through the open slot on the right hand side, then continue across the cushion board and then down through the slot on the left hand side.

Now bring the top and bottom sliders on both sides of the 10x12 plate down to meet your ribbon. Check the location of the ribbon to be sure that the your print will be centered on the ribbon by pulling the machine operating handle down while lining up the ribbon. Make sure that both sides of the ribbon are even by lining it up against the incremental marks engraved on the main plate.

7. Tighten the ribbon guide slider adjustment knobs. SETUP COMPLETE.

Setup Instructions for printing stationary, books and albums:

Slide the 10x12 plate over the table plate of the machine. You can either align the vertical position by eye or use the formula: PAGE MARGIN + 1/2” (STOP RULER) + (PRINT HEIGHT / 2). Lock the 10x12 plate in place using the clamp knob on the top-right side of the plate.

Attach the side adjustment plate to the right or left side of the 10x12 plate. This plate acts as a right hand or left hand stop when printing stationary products. If you would like to center your print, divide the width of your product in half and align the side adjustment plate to that location using the stop ruler on the top of the 10x12 plate. For example if you are trying to center an 8.5” wide sheet of paper you would set the side adjustment plate to 4.25”. SETUP COMPLETE.

Side Plate Adjustment Knob

Typeholders and Die Holders

Type are individual letters, numbers and symbols that get loaded into a typeholder which gets placed in the head of the machine for printing. Type sets are available in a wide variety of styles called fonts and can come in upper case, lower case, numbers, punctuation, Spanish accents or as a complete set.

What are dies and emblems?

Stock Dies AAmstamp Machine Company has a large selection of stock dies available which can be seen in our literature packet or via our website at http://www.aamstamp.com. Custom Dies AAmstamp Machine Company can manufacture custom dies. Simply provide AAmstamp with clean clear black and white line artwork in a PDF format via email (sales@aamstamp.com) or U.S. Mail.

(Note: Fax transmissions are for quotes only, as faxes are not high enough quality for final copies of artwork).

Emblems Emblems are images cast on a type body.

Typeholders are used for single and/or multiple lines of text and emblems.

Open Chase Holders will print text, emblems and dies mounted onto type high blocks at the same time.

Die Plate Holders print dies mounted onto quick change plates. Die Plate Holders allow for the fastest setup time but can not accept loose type, therefore you can not personalize individual items with different names or dates per print. This holder is ideal for logo printing and other medium to high volume print jobs. In addition to artwork, these logos can be designed to print non-changeable text such as business cards.

l8pt Single Line Typeholders (Requires single line adaptor)

Available in 5 inch printing length and used to print a single line of l8pt body type.

18pt Two, Three and Four Line Typeholders

(two line version requires a multi-line adaptor.)

Available in 5 inch printing length and used to print lines of l8pt body type.

36pt Single Line Typeholders

Available in 5 inch printing lengths and used for printing a single line of 36pt body type.

Open Chase Typeholders Available in 5 inch printing length and used to print multiple lines of type in all sizes. You can also print text and large type high dies at the same time.

Die Plate Holders

Die Plate Holders are ideal for company logos and for medium to long run printing jobs. Text and artwork are permanently etched or machined onto a flat piece of magnesium or copper and then mounted onto a quick change plate which can be inserted into a die plate holder for super fast setups. Because the text is part of this artwork you can create whatever type styles you want onto this artwork using your favorite desktop publishing or word processing software, however the text can not be changed without manufacturing a new die.

Die Plate Holders are available in the following configurations

(1” x 5” Die Plate Holder Shown here.)

Adapter sleeves are used only on our AAmstamp machines when using single line or small typeholders. There is a single line and a multiple line adapter sleeve. The adapter sleeve slides into the typehead and is held in place by the retaining lever below. The typeholder is then be inserted into the adapter sleeve. This allows for easy removal of the typeholder while retaining the adapter sleeve inside the typehead.

Single-Line Adapter Use with single line l8pt type holder

Multi-Line Adapter Use with a two-line 18pt or 36pt singleline type holder

PRINTING NAPKINS

1. First place your napkin guide on the table plate and then the proper cushion board using the gauge bar to hold them in position.
2. Before you load your foil, bring the typehead down slowly and adjust the napkin guide by moving it backward or forward to achieve the perfect desired print location on the napkin.
3. Always check to see that the gauge bar is clear from being hit by the typeholder and then tighten the napkin guide by turning the gauge bar hold down knob. AAmstamp also offers a special napkin guide cushion board that makes it far easier to print large areas on napkins.

Aamstamp also has a Napkin Guide for the 10 x 12 Base Plate.

PRINTING PENCILS

Attach the pencil attachment to your gauge bar using the black thumb screw provided with the pencil attachment. Attach the gauge bar to the table plate. Insert the line up slug into a single line typeholder and bring the machine handle down slowly so that the line up slug fits in the center of the pencil attachment. Tighten the gauge bar to secure the pencil attachment. Remove the typeholder with the line up slug and insert the typeholder with text.

ADJUSTING THE TYPEHEAD STARTING HEIGHT

The Sprite has a 3 1/2 inch head height to accommodate a large range of products. In order to maximize efficiency for your application, you may want to lower the typehead to reduce the amount of distance you need to pull the handle. To do this you simply move the pin shown in the diagram below, which will control the starting height of the typehead. When making this adjustment you can slide the machine handle from one side to the other in order to set the machine handle to the most ideal starting position.

Type Head Stop Pin

MORE HELPFUL HINTS

1. Always line up y our print area beforey ou feed y our foil . This makes it easy to line up y our product with the typehead .
2. Always do a test print on scrap paper to check the spelling and set up.
3. After you have put your typeholder into the typehead to get hot, but before you start printing remove the typeholder and retighten the screws. Thus will help keep your text from falling out of the holder.
4. When you have finished a print job, remove the typeholder from the typehead and loosen the screws so the type can cool under no pressure. This will help your type last longer and help stop elongating of the type.
5. Always fill the typeholder completely with spacers. Do not leave empty space in the typeholder Heat will not get to all areas of the typeholder if there are air spaces. .
6. When using an open chase typeholder. use 72 pt spacers to fill in the big areas. This will make set up very fast. AAmstamp offers special aluminum bar and block spacers for this purpose.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

If you cannot get a print to come out and you have already tried changing the

temperature, pressure, dwell, and/or cushion boards, call customer service at

Our staff will be happy to help you in any way we can!

Heater Replacement

Loosen set screw on top of type head. (Figure 1)

Remove Heater from type head.

Remove 3 (three) Button Head Set Screws on right side that hold control

box. (See Figure 2)

Unplug two (2) spade terminals from temperature controller. (H1 and H2)

Remove ground wire from ground stud. Remove Heater from Control box.

Installation of new heater is reversed. Ground wire has green stripe. Snug Heater set screw. Do Not over tighten set screw.

Button head cap screws

Parts List

Casting Control Box Temperature Control Unit Indicator Knob Fuse Holder

6805-1010 AA0048 5502-350

Enco Mfg Aamstamp Machine Infinsys

50-193 F006-ND

Digi -key Digi -key

Fuse, Type 216 2 Amp Slow Blow LED Indicator Lamp

0216010.VXP

NL67WL3G

Heater, 230v 250 Watt Machine Foot Handle

HR37050JE 9540K61 AA0024

Marathon Heater McMaster-Carr Aamstamp Machine

240V 15 Amp UL, CSA RoHS 250 Volts, 15 Amps CE,UL,CSA 250 Volts, 2 amps UL, CE 230 Volts, CE,CSA,UL 250 Volts, 10Amps CE, VDE, HAR CE, CSA RoHS

Specifications

Electrical Requirements.......... EU 230Volt~50Hz/ USA 120V/60Hz Power Consumption......................................................... 250Watts Weight .........……….................…………………….. 16 Kg (36 Lbs.) Volume…….....................…………….………… .078m³ (2.75 cu/ft) Operating Enviorment............................................................ IP41

Operating Environment.

This equipment will operate in ambient temperatures of +4ºC to +45ºC (USA 39ºF-113ºF) This equipment will operate correctly within an environment at 50% RH at 45C(113ºF). Higher RH may may be allowed at lower temperatures. Measures shall be taken by the purchaser to avoid the harmful effects of occasional condensation. This equipment will operate correctly up to 2000m above mean sea level. This equipment will operate in a normal office type Pollution Degree 2 enviornment. The main components in this equipment are designed to work at +/- 10% of the marked rating.

• *** EQUIPMENT WARRANTY ****

AAmstamp Machine Company warrants its Sprite Series Equipment for a period of 3 years from the date of purchase. We warrant our accessories and fixtures for a period of 90 Days from the date of purchase. These warranties are extended solely to the original purchaser.

Our sole obligation under this warranty is to repair or replace the defective merchandise, at our option, after our verification that stated defects are not resulting from one of the below listed excluded items.

No other warranty, expressed or implied, is given. Any warranty implied by law including warranties for any particular purpose or merchantability is limited to a duration of one year from the date of purchase.

Excluded from this warranty are defects resulting from improper application or installation, abuse, misuse, disassembly, alteration, unauthorized attempts at repair, accidental or negligent use, or removal, defacement or alteration of equipment, original identification, accessories or other circumstances beyond our direct control. This warranty specifically excludes consequential or indirect damages, damage to product or loss of prospective profits. Defects discovered after three years will be deemed ordinary wear and tear.

AAmstamp Machine Company requires that for the length of this warranty, all repairs or upgrades of our equipment be performed by AAmstamp authorized personnel only. We further strongly recommend that all future repairs or upgrades of our equipment should be performed by AAmstamp authorized personnel only.

The above warranties may be extended. For information on extended warranties please contact your Representative or AAmstamp Customer Service at 888-375-8375.

• ***Return Policy****

All returns must be made within 3 days of the receipt of the product as verified by United Parcel Services Online Tracking System. All returns must be properly packaged in the original packaging and have a return authorization number marked on the outside of the box. Authorization numbers can be obtained by either contacting your local representative or Customer Service. Any return or box not having a return authorization number on it will be refused. All returns other than defective merchandise will be charged a 25% restocking fee.

AAmstamp does not warranty or guarantee type, foils or any other consumables.