Hi there! If you have come this far, you are most likely looking for some specific information about the different types of ink, printing methods, and recommended pumps to optimize your printing process and transferring fluids such as inks, solvents, chemicals, or glues at the Packaging sector.
One of the main questions you may have is which pump you should use to supply ink to achieve the best printing results on different media: paper, cardboard, plastic, flexible packaging, metal, glass, and wood.
The answer is simple; the type of pump you shall use, depends on the kind of ink to be transferred.
Ink Viscosity
First of all, you should know that ink viscosity is a key factor when choosing the perfect pump for your installation. Our experts recommend the following:
Low Viscosity Inks: Double membrane pumps or AOOD
When referring to liquid inks, or low viscosity inks with a viscosity range from 40 to120 cP, we recommend using Air Operated Double Diaphragms (AODD) pumps.
Flexography or Rotogravure: Which pump do you need?
As you know, Flexography and Gravure are Low viscosity ink printing systems. Here, if you want to attain the best results, the ink should reach the ink-fountains with a constant, regular flow, with no pulsations. This way, the ink will uniformly fill the ink-fountain, assuring it is applied correctly on the printed support, achieving the best results.
Thanks to the innovative design of their air motor, including a Quick-Change frictionless pivot valve, together with the design of the diaphragms, which are not fixed to the shaft, and the central flow path, Directflo AODD pumps provide constant flow with reduced pulsations, thus increasing productivity and accomplishing optimal printing results.
Additionally, Directflo AODD pumps are very compact, have minimum maintenance requirements, their energy consumption is very low and their exclusive one-piece-bonded diaphragm design ensures a longer diaphragm life.
Water or Solvent based Inks
You probably know that depending on the application media and printing machines, liquid inks can be water-based or solvent-based. Depending on the type of ink used, the pump should be made of materials compatible with the ink. For example, conductive acetal, stainless steel or aluminum with PTFE membranes are compatible with solvent based inks, and pumps with polypropylene body and Hytrel® or Santopreno® diaphragms can be used with water-based inks.
Direcflo pumps can also transfer solvents or other chemicals handled during the printing process.
Discover the NEW PIVOT SERIES by SAMOA:
OFF-SET INKS: Piston pumps with follower plate
In offset printing, inks with higher viscosities -from 10,000 cP to 80,000 cP and up to 100,000 cP, are employed.
In order to handle fluids with such high viscosity, we recommend the use of pneumatic piston pumps with a follower plate, to transfer ink from 20 kg (35 lb), 50 Kg (120 lb), or 200 kg (400 lb) drums, to the different ink fountains.
We recommend 542926.270 PUMPMASTER 45 – 17:1 RATIO INK PNEUMATIC PUMP, 200 KG DRUM WITH PNEUMATIC PUMP HOIST AND GRAVITY INDUCTOR PACKAGE
In relation to offset ink supply, from 20 kg, 50 kg, or 200 kg drums and even large silos, to printing machines ink-fountains, it is important to use highly reliable pneumatic piston pumps, with ink-resistant low friction components, and pump packings (seals) with the longest possible life, to minimize the equipment maintenance hence increasing the installation profitability. SAMOA pumps have been specially designed to use with offset inks, offering maximum durability and performance.
In addition to our complete range of pumps, SAMOA offers a series of accessories (pneumatic lifters, follower plates, special ink filters, flow meters, spreader bars for ink wells, etc.) that contribute to providing the end-user with great technical advantages and profitability.
UV OFFSET INKS
Lastly, UV offset inks are fluids with high added value and require special pumps to handle them. This type of ink is very sensitive to friction or light. For handling them properly, SAMOA offers a range of pneumatic piston pumps, with a special design to meet the specific needs of transferring UV inks.
So, have you made up your mind?
We hope that his article has been useful to you! SAMOA wants to help you achieve that perfect installation! We have an engineering and facilities department, offering the end-user the possibility of realizing, designing, and delivering a complete turnkey offset ink supply installation. Visit our website and get to know us!
