Ink & Ink Dispensers Modular ink dispensers: the key to
staying agile when needs change The flexibility to change ink handling and storage procedures is vital when switching to a new ink set or formulation. Maarten Hummelen of GSE Dispensing explains how modular ink dispensing systems that are extendible, allow easy exchange of parts and addition of conditioning equipment, resulting in a smooth and swiſt changeover.
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or the label and packaging printer dealing with spot colours, the ink kitchen can be a dynamic place. Rising energy costs, raw material shortages and safety legislation are driving converters to change inks or use new formulations. But as inks have their distinct chemistries, any such move may bring new handling and storage procedures, with considerations such as agitration, viscosity and temperature.
Here are some of the most common ink kitchen changes, and the handling challenges they bring: O Adopting LED-UV inks: Avoiding mercury use and producing no ozone, these offer lower energy costs, sustainability benefits, and sometimes faster printing speeds. Additional equipment that may be required includes a temperature-control unit to optimize flow, and agitator to keep temperature and viscosity uniform throughout the container connected to the dispenser.
O Adopting low-migration inks: used for safe food and pharmaceutical packaging, these contain raw materials with a higher molecular weight. The ink dispenser used for these inks may thus require special pump or valve materials.
O Changes in ink formulation: global supply chain disruption has made some ink chemicals scarce. Suppliers mitigate for this by adapting ink formulations, which may alter ink characteristics. A higher-viscosity ink may require a larger pump for dispensing the base colour.
FUTURE-PROOFED FOR CHANGE A modular ink dispenser is formed out of separate modules or ‘subsystems’, that are both independent and interdependent. That means the system can be easily adapted as your needs change. The benefits of a modular system are as follows: O Customization: a system can be built for the specific application. For example, a dispenser can be built up with different configurations of base components, like container sizes, pump sizes, agitators and heaters.
O Upgradability: parts can be exchanged, and new
equipment added to the system’s configuration, as requirements change. There should be space for adding new containers for colours and varnishes, or new conditioning equipment.
O Ease of installation and use: the system can usually be assembled faster, at lower cost. Easy to use, accessible barrel connections simplify the exchange of base inks.
O For manufacturers of dispensing equipment, building a complex machine is simpler: customers can expect relatively shorter lead- times and better value.
BACKBONE FRAME PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY
The dispenser’s ‘backbone’ frame plays an important role in helping the converter manage changing requirements. Slim and lightweight, it provides a compact, centralized casing for the connections that feed ink from the base components to the dispenser. It also provides a base to station each component’s pump. The components – buckets, barrels, or IBCs – may be arranged in a line or wall-formation around the frame.
This configuration allows more choice in positioning the buckets and ancillary equipment. There is also easy access to each connection for fast component exchange.
ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT
Equipment for making a smooth switch to new inks or flow settings can be added or exchanged: O Pumps: the pumps for each container feeding the dispenser is situated together on one dedicated pump stand, instead of the container lid. This frees up space for insertion of an agitator, and allows easy pump exchange – also with larger pumps than the standard ¼” size. Larger pumps, like a ½”
size are usually needed for handling high-viscosity inks or larger ink volumes.
O Heaters: to keep inks or technical varnishes on a constant temperature, a barrel heater can be added. Temperatures can be controlled by an adjustable thermostat, which is positioned in the machine console and integrated with the machine emergency stop circuit.
O Agitators: these maintain the homogeneity of the base inks, at the required viscosity or temperature (when a heater is applied). They keep the inks moving about, so there are no differences within the container. They are inserted into the container via the lid, and their mixing cycles are programmable in the ink management software.
In summary therefore, with a modular dispensing design converters can stay agile in times of change and uncertainty - adapting or expanding the configuration with minimal disruption and less financial outlay.
Xwww.gsedispensing.com/inkconnection
www.convertermag.com
May 2022
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