It is all about viscosity
TAKE CONTROL OVER YOUR PRINTING QUALITY
It is all about viscosity
Viscosity and pH of flexographic solvent and water based inks are the two most critical factors determining inks’ quality parameters.
Viscosity is the measurement of resistance to the flow of a fluid. Therefor, the ink flow is very important as it decides the runtime of a printing process and the quality of print on the substrate. After all, flexographic printing aims to ensure a volume of ink on the substrate. Uniformity of the ink will ensure that you get the desired results in terms of color distribution. These factors depend to a large extend on this parameter of the ink.
Change in viscosity during the printing job will not only affect the quality parameters of the print but will also increase the cost of printing. Ink solvents are expensive in water-based inks. Therefore, a shift of one second of this element will increase the ink lay down by 50%.
Thus, it is understood that an inconsistent ink quality will cause inconsistent print quality during the print job. It will not only affect color management but also the ink wastage, decline of print material and cost of machine utilization will increase considerably. In addition, a high viscosity will increase the presstime of the printing process because the ink will move slowly in the transfer from anilox rolls onto the printing plate, which is another cost factor.
Moreover, the ink will dry quickly when this factor is high. Therefore, it may cause ink clogging at several points within flexographic printing. Resultantly, it may cause printing jams and slow the whole process. On the other hand, when this parameter is lower it will affect the print quality severely. It will distort the color scheme, and the colors will appear lighter. Furthermore, the ink will take a lot of time to dry.
Impacting the printing process
Hence, the viscosity will impact the printing process in several ways. The best solution is to keep it within limits for a seamless printing process. Typically, adding more solvent to the ink is advisable when the viscosity is low. Ideally, the viscosity of a run should remain consistent and may not exceed +/-5%. Therefore, we install an automated viscositymeter with the printing machine and thus determine the real-time viscosity of ink. In addition, viscosity maintenance will save ink solvent by up to 60%.
Take back control over Print Quality
Measurement of ink viscosity is thus a key contributor to print quality. RPS InkSight measures and controls ink viscosity with unparalleled resolution and stability, enabling tight and consistent color control from start to finish on every job.
Anilox Cleaning Strategy
MAKE YOUR PRINTING BETTER
WELL CLEANED ANILOX ROLLERS….. COST SAVINGS THROUGH BETTER PRINTING
Well cleaned anilox rolls or sleeves are determinative in achieving the required color. Therefore, a balanced anilox cleaning strategy will support your print operation efficiency. UPrint Technologies is here to help you: with dedicated cleaners for daily and weekly cleaning, supplemented by periodic deep cleaning on site by our technicians.
A revolution in periodic anilox deep cleaning: the Clean Solutions Group Deepwave
The Deepwave will fit seamlessly into your anilox cleaning strategy. Besides that this revolutionary contactless deep cleaning device will bring your anilox rollers in the best condition, you will achieve quality printing against low operational costs. In order to help you achieve that goal, UPrint Technologies offers a one of a kind anilox rollers cleaning support plan:
- Analyzing the current condition of your anilox rollers;
- Initial treatment of anilox deep cleaning with Clean Solutions Group Deepwave on site;
- For daily and weekly cleaning you follow our tailor developed Green Solutions Group anilox cleaning plan by using our dedicated Clean Solutions Group cleansers;
- Based upon your usage of anilox rollers, we mutual agree upon a once or twice a year anilox deep cleaning with Clean Solutions Group Deepwave by our anilox cleaning service team;
- Analyzing anilox condition and evaluation.
We are here to help you
UPrint Technologies is there for you to support you in keeping your anilox in optimum condition. We will execute this promise by advising you on implementing a smart cleaning concept. Therefore will our concept contribute highly to more efficient quality printing. For instance through reduction of waste of substrate as well as ink consumption, and by achieving the required color faster. An anilox that transfers the right volume of ink, will also contribute to less machine downtime, as you avoid anilox cleaning during the job. Summarized a well-performing anilox will increase efficiency in printing.