Offset Printing
Hudson Killeen installs reverse osmosis at new site
Thursday 24. January 2008 - Hudson Killeen has taken delivery of a technotrans reverse osmosis system which will allow it to achieve consistent chemisty across its three Heidelberg Speedmaster presses.
The reverse osmosis system has been delivered to the companys new centralised production site which has a 20,000 sq ft factory floor. The SM 102-10P is connected up to the RO unit already and a new B2 SM 74-5 being commissioned currently will soon follow. The third press, a B1 five-colour Speedmaster, is being refurbished prior to delivery. The transfer of all staff and equipment is expected to be complete by the new year.
Production manager Brian Fenelon says: “We are a quality printer and we need to have top rate colour consistency and productivity and reverse osmosis helps us achieve that goal.”
The company produces bank leaflets, booklets, Report and Accounts and other high class commercial work.
Control and standardisation are key issues in the pressroom and demand for Reverse Osmosis systems has risen steeply in recent months.Tap water is not standardised so the pH can range from 5.5 to 9 with conductivity of up to 1500 micro siemens. For printers a fluctuation of more than pH 1.0 will create variable dampening solution to the plate resulting in variable quality.
The ideal water hardness is below 220mg/litre and where it is higher it is best to use water softeners. The maximum level of contaminants in water should be less than 500ppm.
The technotrans equipment at Hudson Killeen was supplied by Millers, which is also Heidelbergs agent in the Republic of Ireland. Hudson Kileen has been satisfied with the service it has had for this installation.
