Consumables
technotrans AG successfully installs a central UV ink supply system
Wednesday 02. April 2014 - technotrans AG has realised a central ink supply system for UV inks at PS PrintService GmbH & Co. KG in Neuhaus-Schierschnitz. The system supplies offset printing presses, such as sheet-fed or newspaper printing presses, from 200 kg drums or 25 kg hobbocks. technotrans has also successfully implemented the central UV ink supply system "ink.supply UV" at other printing companies in Canada, Belgium, and Germany.
As a first step, only one UV pump and UV ink duct filling unit for opaque white was installed at PS PrintService. After an observation and optimisation phase of three months, the system was extended by the four process colours and has been working under normal operating conditions since January. “Contrary to conventional offset inks, UV ink is rather sensitive in terms of pressure load, shearing force, and heat, leading to polymerisation”, explains Alois Scharf, Head of the Ink & Fluid Technology Business Unit at technotrans AG. This chemical reaction causes the ink to harden, thereby leading to a higher level of wear or even the failure of the pumps, valves, and seals of the ink supply system. In addition, UV ink is highly viscous, making the pumping and conveying of the ink extremely difficult. This is why UV ink is often filled into the ink duct of the printing press by hand, which has a negative effect on the system efficiency and degree of automation.
Elaborate solution, precise implementation
“The difficulties concerning UV inks are known, yet it is not easy to find a good solution. However, I can definitely confirm that using technotrans was the right decision”, says Reinhard Woehner, Operations Manager at PS PrintService.
technotrans AG has developed a bespoke ink pump and ink valve design for the central ink supply system “ink.supply UV” in order to minimise the shearing force acting on the ink. “The design and mode of operation of the pumps and ink valves has been specially adapted to the specific requirements”, explains Alois Scharf. Bigger pipe and tube diameters keep the supply pressure as low as possible. The configuration of the control software ensures that the ink will be kept free from pressure inside the system. The ink pump with its follower plate is actively pressed into the ink drum so that the highly viscous UV ink can flow into the pump tube more easily.
The ink.supply UV system has already been used successfully and further optimised in field tests in Belgium and Germany. It has been used successfully in a newspaper printing press in Canada. With the successful installation on two KBA Rapida 142 printing presses of PS PrintService, technotrans can once again provide proof of the quality of their ink supply systems. “Customer-specific consulting is a must when it comes to UV ink”, says Scharf. In this context, technotrans can look back and benefit from many years of experience in the printing industry.