BMM Print Ltd
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Hi Alan, Our replies are listed below against your questions. Regards Brian & Carol
Hi Lee, Brian, Carol,
I used to buy from Algraphic International, not Algraphic Supplies. Different company?Brian comments - No, my apologies for the error, it was Algraphic International (who have since closed down) I always found their service to be excellent and technically faultless. You make no mention of using 2in1 in the process of calibrating the Alcosmart, it appears that the functionality of the system is all that is being checked. If the Alcosmart had been reset to sniff NPA, you would not have the need for a correction table. Brian comments - Technotrans issued Algraphic with the Alcosmart calibration and correction table
My understanding is that NPA is a 100% VOC, the same as IPA. Lower vapour pressure, slower evaporation yes but still 100% VOC. Brian comments - 2in1 is only 80% when opened and feeding to the press, as it has 20% product mix included in the drum
I beg to differ about the carbon footprint. As I said, NPA is a 100% VOC, it is now recognised that imports brought in by container vessels are one of the largest single contributors to CO2 emissions. Brian comments - IPA brought in by seafreight carries the same footprint A recent report by Oceana says:
• Only five countries in the world release more carbon dioxide than the global fleet of marine vessels.
• This fleet releases 1.12 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, an amount equivalent to emissions from over 205 million cars, or more cars than were registered in the U.S. in 2006 (135 million).
• A single container ship emits more global warming pollution than 2,000 diesel trucks.
• By 2020, these emissions could double 2002 levels, and they could be triple those levels by 2030.
• Ships are also major emitters of nitrogen oxides – contributing nearly 30% of the world’s releases. This amount too is expected to triple by 2030.
• Another pollutant released by ships, black carbon, or soot, can warm the air as well as cause snow and ice to melt. Black carbon may be responsible for as much as 25% of observed global warming.
•
Don’t know what you are charging but I was paying £1.60p per litre for 2in1. That was a little more than paying for fount/IPA for a similar quantity mix and printed sheet yield to usage. Brian Comments - As Algraphic International closed down 2 years ago we are unable to comment on pricing. Please remember the benefit of ink saving and faster colour balance when changing jobs, this also saves on time and paper costs.
Never had a crystallisation problem with fount IPA mix in the tank. Brian comments - I think you said the problem was on the outside of the joint, thus the fount in 2in1 would crystalise where using conventional IPA would not, as the IPA would evaporate
There wasn’t a problem with the doser, more likely the correction chart is not that accurate. Remember, you are not calibrating the Alcosmart to accept NPA, merely interpreting the information differently from the unit to the main computer. I did say I kept my water levels between 15%-18%, depending on temperature of press. The water savings achieved using 2in1 were minimal because I was starting from a low base. I spoke to someone from Cambridge University Press a while ago, they tried 2in1 and were getting picture framing quite bad, Carol comment - we were led to believe that CUP wanted to go alcohol free not that they had picture framing issues, which would have been caused by inaccurate dosing and should have been assessed by Algraphic International. I will follow this up with our distributor in the area who is in negotiation with them although that wasn’t our experience, just steels inking up.
I think 2in1 is possibly a little more aggressive than most founts and tends to break down the ink easier. Brian comments - the breaking down of ink is caused by running too much water. (in the majority of cases water is brought down when using 2in1) We have testimonies to this effect if time permitted us to post them
Would be good to know your printer with such long runs, do you know what plate he uses, that information would be of value to the print forum. Carol comments - This particular client is using Fuji Violet Plates. We do not wish to post our clients names on this website, albeit a mainly USA based website.
Believe me, you have low ceilings and you know you are using 2in1! IPA just seemed to have a more clinical smell; perhaps it is the other ingredients in 2in that give it its unique aroma? Brian comments - All other ingredients are in powder form with no fragrance, perhaps it is the slight difference between IPA and NPA. We can manufacture with IPA if required.
That’s a name I have not heard mentioned for many a year - Howson Algraphy. Times have moved on a pace, maybe ok for aluminium plates but what about brass? valves and the like. Brian comments - The valves have been around for years and the H/A founts did not damage them. This is the point we were makingAs for the Magnesium Nitrate is this the product that was the residue around the pipes, Would that not then be theoretically classed as the carcinogenic powder? Brian comments - No, because there is NO magnesium nitrate in 2in1 so the problem cannot occur. I was merely agreeing with your comments made about MSDS sheets.
Anyway good luck Lee, be interesting to see how you get on.
