DInk Man do you have any info on UV inks photoinitiators?
I think the problem was mainly with LED UV inks. Curing with led light is a tough problem since it is a source with limited wave length range. Maybe that is why the chemistry is critical and probably a problem for safety reasons.
If one is printing on a web press, one can use EB (electron beam) inks. They have no photo-initiators and are more friendly for food packaging. I was involved with this technology as early as 1985 for food packaging printing.
I am only familiar with EB inks by name. I did a quick search right now but I didn't find too much information. From what I understand the main limitation is the cost of EB curing systems. I also saw that size was initially a concern as well. It is surprising that the technology has been around so long and hasn't been more widely adopted. Is the x-ray concern one that is simple to resolve? Are the curing systems designed in a way that this risk is virtually eliminated?
Does the cost of a curing system increase proportionally to the web width or is there an initial large cost that increases slightly as the web grows? I couldn't find any information on the speed that the ink can be cured. Can it be cured at the same speeds that solvent ink can dry, 1,300 ft/min range?
We were running at about 850 ft/min max but I suspect that they are much faster now. Yes, the systems are expensive but the price of the product printed justified the cost. I have no idea about the costs today but I suspect it has come down. It seems the systems are relatively smaller now.
To prevent x-ray exposure, the EB system is covered with lead and the path of the web through the system is not straight, so the rays can not get out. I don't think there are any EB units for sheetfed presses for this need to contain x-rays. There were also detectors that measured if x-rays were getting out.
These systems also required a nitrogen gas knife to blow oxygen off of the web surface because oxygen there affects cure. So large liquid nitrogen tanks were on site.
I had not read anything about nitrogen being required. That's a challenge as well. Good information, thank you.
I am assuming nitrogen is still required but maybe not. The use of nitrogen is related to the chemistry of the ink, which I think could bond to oxygen instead of to itself after being exited by the electron beam. Possibly now the chemistry is different and the nitrogen is not needed. I don't know.
Why don't you move to the future of rigid printing with the new HP R-Series Latex Flatbed Printers? Inks are green, not harmful to the environment, and look outstanding! 80% + coverage of the pantone library and amazing quality - Let me know if you have questions
Considering the competition out there in the industry, the latex inks are one of the most eco friendly inks in the rigid flatbed market. You took me a bit to literal there "Green printer"
|
A 30-day Fix for Managed Chaos
As any print professional knows, printing can be managed chaos. Software that solves multiple problems and provides measurable and monetizable value has a direct impact on the bottom-line. “We reduced order entry costs by about 40%.” Significant savings in a shop that turns about 500 jobs a month. Learn how……. |
