Mesh Tension
Screen tension is instrumental in getting consistent printed images over long runs in manufacturing. Proper tension will vary according to the material printed and customer requirements. Tension is measured in terms of screen deflection, thousandths of an inch (mils) with a one pound force on the center of the screen. This guideline table is for thick film screens and varies with mesh count, wire diameter and frame size. A typical deflection guideline range and (minimums) are listed below. Calendered mesh should have the same guideline as plain mesh.
Mesh Cnt.
|
Wire Dia.
|
5x5 & 5x7
|
8x10 & 10x10
|
12x12 - 20x20
|
60
|
4.5
|
17 - 33 (16)
|
27 - 43 (26)
|
32 - 48 (30)
|
80
|
2.0
|
40 - 55 (35)
|
50 -70 (45)
|
55 - 80 (45)
|
80
|
3.7
|
17 - 33 (16)
|
27 - 43 (25)
|
32 - 48 (30)
|
105
|
3.0
|
17 - 33 (16)
|
27 - 43 (25)
|
32 - 48 (30)
|
120
|
2.6
|
22 - 38 (20)
|
32 - 48 (30)
|
37 - 53 (35)
|
135
|
2.3
|
22 - 38 (20)
|
32 - 48 (30)
|
37 - 53 (35)
|
145
|
2.2
|
22 - 38 (20)
|
32 - 48 (30)
|
37 - 53 (35)
|
150
|
2.6
|
22 - 38 (20)
|
32 - 48 (30)
|
37 - 53 (35)
|
165
|
2.0
|
27 - 43 (25)
|
32 - 48 (30)
|
42 - 58 (38)
|
180
|
1.8
|
27 - 43 (25)
|
32 - 48 (30)
|
42 - 58 (38)
|
200
|
1.4
|
32 - 48 (30)
|
42 - 58 (38)
|
47 - 63 (40)
|
200
|
1.6
|
32 - 48 (30)
|
42 - 58 (38)
|
47 - 63 (40)
|
230
|
1.1
|
42 - 58 (38)
|
52 - 68 (40)
|
57 - 73 (45)
|
230
|
1.4
|
32 - 48 (30)
|
42 - 58 (38)
|
47 - 63 (40)
|
250
|
1.6
|
32 - 48 (30)
|
42 - 58 (38)
|
47 - 63 (40)
|
280
|
1.2
|
42 - 58 (38)
|
52 - 68 (40)
|
57 - 73 (40)
|
325
|
0.9
|
42 - 58 (38)
|
52 - 68 (40)
|
57 - 73 (40)
|
325
|
1.1
|
42 - 58 (38)
|
52 - 68 (40)
|
57 - 73 (40)
|
325
|
1.4
|
42 - 58 (38)
|
52 - 68 (40)
|
57 - 73 (40)
|
400
|
1.0
|
42 - 58 (38)
|
52 - 68 (40)
|
57 - 73 (40)
|
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