The powder shaker is an important machine in the DTF production process. It can help the printed transfer film become evenly coated with hot melt powder, and through heating and curing, it prepares the film for the subsequent heat transfer.Properly installing the equipment, setting suitable operating parameters, and performing good daily maintenance can help reduce powder waste, maintain stable production results, and make the entire printing process smoother.
This guide will take you step by step through how to install and use the powder shaker.
Powder Shaker Accessories
In addition to consumables such as DTF transfer film and hot melt adhesive powder, our powder shaker also has the following accessories:
Wheels & Screws: Installed at the bottom of the powder shaker to make it easier to move.
Right Film Collector: Installed on the right side of the powder shaker to collect the processed film and help keep the film neat.
Left Film Collector power cord: Used to provide power and drive to the left film collector. The cable is labeled CCW / OFF / CW to control the collector’s forward rotation, stop, and reverse rotation.
Accessory bag: Includes a film winding tube (used to wind and collect the processed film), a 6cm*6cm exhaust pipe (used to connect to the exhaust port to discharge exhaust gas), and an exhaust pipe clamp (used to secure the exhaust pipe to prevent it from coming loose and leaking air).
Guide rod: A transparent plastic strip used to guide the film to move smoothly along the intended path.
film collector roll: A long metal rod with a pink plastic connector on one end, used to wind up the film.
Tool Kit 1: Includes 1. Hex Key(2mm) x1; 2. Hex Key(3mm) x1; 3. Screwdriver(6mm x150mm) x1; 4. Protective Gloves x1 pair.
Tool Kit 2: Includes 1. Absorbent Paper x5; 2. Lint-free Cloth x2; 3. Absorbent Cotton Pad x3; 4. Cleaning Brush x1; 5. Hook x1; 6. Spare Screws x3; 7. Waste oil box x1.
After unpacking, please confirm that all tools are included, then make sure the equipment placement area is level and well-ventilated, with sufficient space reserved for operation and maintenance. You can then begin installation.
Powder Shaker Installation and Use
You can install the powder shaker by following the steps below. We recommend completing the mechanical parts installation, pipe connection, and equipment connection in sequence, and checking that all parts are properly installed before turning on the power.
Step 1: Installing the Wheels on the Bottom of the Powder Shaker Machine
1. Align the mounting positions on the bottom of the equipment with the moving wheels.
2. Align the screwdriver with the screws and tighten them to secure all the moving wheels.
3. After installation is complete, check whether the wheels are secure. Slowly turn the equipment upside down from the box, and place it steadily on an open floor area.
Step 2: Install the Fixed Film Guide Rod
The film guide rod is used to guide film movement. Whether the installation position is accurate will affect the stability of film feeding.
1. Remove the panel screws: Locate the four fixing screws marked with red circles below the pink panel on the side of the machine. Use the screwdriver from the tool kit to unscrew and remove these four screws.
2. Install the film guide rod: Align the mounting holes at both ends of the guide rod and slide them over the four screws you just removed.
3. Tighten and secure: After the guide rod is fitted, use the screwdriver again to tighten the four screws, ensuring the guide rod is firmly fixed to the side of the machine.
4. Check and confirm: After installation is complete, gently shake the guide rod to confirm there is no looseness.
Step 3: Install the Film Collector
1. Install the metal brackets
Unscrew the screws on the left and right sides of the powder shaker, and install the metal brackets. Note that the brackets are marked “L” and “R”; please install them accordingly.
2. Loosen the bracket screws
To make it easier to insert the collector later, use a screwdriver to loosen the screws on the metal brackets on both the left and right sides.
3. Assemble the film collector
Loosen the knob on the film collector, and insert the metal guide rod into the main collector assembly with the motor. Note the yellow label on the motor marked “CCW / OFF / CW” to confirm the installation direction.
4. Secure the collector to the machine
Pass the assembled film collector through the holes in the metal brackets on the left and right sides of the machine, then use a screwdriver to tighten the fixing screws on both sides.
5. Load the paper tube
Push the film collector outward from both sides to widen the distance in the middle, then slide the brown paper tube onto the metal rod of the collector.
6. Connect the power
Align the power cord plug of the film collector with the socket on the side of the machine (the socket is labeled Film Receiver Plug above it), insert it, turn on the switch to power it on, and complete the installation of the film collector.
Step 4: Install the Waste Oil Bottle
1. Secure the bracket: Locate the installation position on the side of the machine, and first loosen the screws on the reserved holes. Align the pink bracket with the holes, then tighten the screws to securely install it on the machine body.
2. Connect the waste liquid tubes: Insert the two transparent tubes hanging down from the lower part of the machine body into the waste liquid collection bottle.
3. Place the waste liquid bottle: Place the waste liquid collection bottle with the tubes connected steadily into the pink bracket just secured to the side of the machine, making sure the tubing is smooth and not bent.
Step 5: Connect the Printer and the Powder Shaker Machine
1. Positioning and aligning the machines
Place the printer and powder shaker on the base frame. Please note that the bases of the printer and powder shaker need to be precisely aligned with the holes on the frame to ensure the equipment is properly positioned.
2. Adjust the heating plate
Adjust the heating plate at the front, and clip its bracket into the third slot counting from top to bottom.
3. Open the covers and lift the pressure roller
Open the heating flip cover and the observation cover. Then lift the pressure roller inside the machine to prepare for threading the film.
4. Guide the film and align it
Pull the DTF film to the paper tube position.
Place the rolled film close to the guide position on the left, then return to the front of the equipment and press down the pressure roller to secure the film.
Note that the edge of the film needs to be placed close to the white line.
5. Secure the film to the paper tube
Use a sticker to secure the film to the paper tube.
Make sure the film is centered on the paper tube, and tighten the knob.
Finally, move the two white fixing wheels close to the edges of the film, then tighten them to secure them and prevent the film from shifting.
Step 6: Install the Exhaust Pipe
1. Connect the exhaust port: Install the fixing ring on the exhaust pipe and tighten it, then align the exhaust pipe with the exhaust port on the top of the powder shaker, fit it in, and secure it.
2. Tighten and secure: Use a screwdriver to tighten the screw on the clamp to ensure the exhaust pipe is firmly connected to the equipment.
3. Check: Make sure the exhaust pipe is not bent or compressed to prevent outdoor wind from cross-flowing/interfering.
Step 7: Power On and Operation
1. Connect power and turn on
Plug in the power cords of the printer and the powder shaker.
Press the ON switch on the side of the printer to turn on the power.
2. Printer panel settings and lowering the film
The printer control panel displays “DTF Printer Film Heating Control”. Follow the on-screen prompts and press the OK button to turn on mute.
Press the Down button on the printer operation panel to lower the film to the sensor position of the powder shaker.
Pay attention to the position of the sensor probe next to the internal support rod, and confirm that the film has been successfully fed into place.
3. Powder shaker parameters and language settings
After the powder shaker is turned on, the interface displays the default parameters:
SHAKING SPEED: 5;
SPRAYING SPEED: 2;
PRE-HEATING TEMPERATURE: SV: 80℃;
DRYING TEMPERATURE: SV: 125℃
Note: Under normal conditions, there is no need to adjust these parameters.
If you need to switch languages, you can tap the button in the upper right corner of the screen to choose between ES and EN.
4. Turn on the film collector and add powder
Turn on the film collector switch, then pour in the DTF hot melt powder.
5. Adjust the guide rails
Adjust the left and right film guide rails inside the powder shaker so that they lightly touch the edges of the film, ensuring the film runs smoothly without shifting.
6. Start the printing process
When formally starting the printing process, turn on the three switches on the powder shaker screen: SHAKING SPEED, PRE-HEATING TEMPERATURE, and DRYING TEMPERATURE, and switch them all to ON.
Step 8: Recover Powder
1. Open the cover and add powder
Pull the pink collection tray at the bottom outward smoothly, open the transparent cover on the top of the powder shaker to expose the powder trough, evenly pour the excess powder into the powder trough of the powder shaker, and then place the pink collection tray back into the position from which it was taken out.
The recovered powder can be reused. Make sure there is enough powder supply in the powder trough.
Operating instructions: In daily operation, it is recommended to check this area about every 15 minutes and add powder to the powder shaking area in time.
2. Control panel settings and startup
On the screen panel, tap to turn on the SPRAYING SPEED switch and switch it to ON.
Step 9: Maintenance
1. Clean powder residue
Use the cleaning brush included in the tool kit to clean powder residue on the outside of the machine and around the edges of the feed area. Pay special attention to cleaning the edges of the guide rails that the film passes through to prevent accumulated powder from affecting film feeding or causing contamination.
2. Wipe the machine surface
Take the lint-free cloth included in the tool kit out of the sealed bag. Use the lint-free cloth to carefully wipe the machine surface, including the edges of the heating area, internal metal parts, and the housing, to thoroughly remove stains and loose powder.
3. Replace the absorbent pad
Regularly check the white absorbent pad/cotton pad at the machine feed inlet. According to the instructions, it is recommended to replace the original absorbent pad every 2 months.
Note: When replacing or cleaning the absorbent pad, please make sure the film path is normal and keep the powder suction area and guide rails clean to maintain the optimal operating condition of the powder shaker.
That is all for the powder shaker installation and use tutorial. If there are still any abnormal situations, please contact our official customer service in time.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting Suggestions
Why does the film shift?
Film shifting may be related to an incorrect guide rod installation position, an unsmooth film path, improper tension applied by the collector to the film, or loose related parts.
It is recommended to stop printing first, check the film path, guide rod position, and collector status, and make necessary adjustments according to the manual.
Why is the hot melt powder distributed unevenly?
Uneven powder distribution may be related to moisture or clumping of the powder, an improper amount of powder added, abnormal operating status, or the ink condition of the printed pattern itself.
It is recommended to check the powder condition and also confirm whether the powder shaking mechanism and film transport are normal.
What should I do if abnormal noise occurs or the equipment stops working during operation?
Under normal circumstances, such situations will not occur, but if any abnormality is found, please stop operation immediately. Do not disassemble internal components by yourself while the equipment is running or powered on. Please contact the customer service team immediately to troubleshoot one by one whether there are foreign objects, film jams, loose parts, or other obvious abnormalities.
Summary
From unpacking and inventory checking, parts assembly, to parameter setting and daily maintenance, you have mastered the complete closed loop of this equipment from “installation” to “efficient operation”. This is not only the process of setting up the equipment, but also the cornerstone for you to build a standardized, high-quality DTF printing production line.
A standardized starting point determines the height of quality, while routine maintenance extends the equipment’s life cycle. Turning the rigor of each step into a daily production habit can not only effectively avoid operational failures, but also significantly improve the yield rate and color performance of finished transfers.
Now, everything is ready. Please take this operation guide and start your first film print. Let stable production capacity and delicate patterns witness every one of your creative ideas come to life.
