Problem 1 - Frequent wash-ups
Profitable quality printing depends, in part, on clean stock. Even the cleanest of sheet stock carries spray powder, paper dust, lint, loose paper fibers and paper chips into the press. As the sheets are fed through the printing stations, particulate can be deposited on blankets and plates. As the particulate accumulates, more frequent wash-ups are required, dramatically reducing production and profits.
Problem 2 - Poor print quality because of particulate and static charges on sheets
Static charges on sheets can result in two types of printing imperfections. Charges on sheets can cause ink to be attracted to or repelled from a charged area of the sheet resulting in printing imperfections such as crows feet and lightning tracks. Charged sheets can also attract particulate from the environment. This particulate, in addition to debris from the converting process, can cause hickeys and voids on the final printed image. Overall poor print quality or costly reprints affect both profits and customer satisfaction.
Solution
The Ion-O-Vac Mark I Sheet Cleaning System helps produce higher quality printed material without imperfections caused by spray powder, static and dirt. At the same time, production costs are lower because less time is spent cleaning blankets and dirty ink.
The Mark I eliminates static charges and lifts spray powder and other particulate from the sheets as they pass over the impression cylinder. Ion-O-Vac systems consist of a vacuum cleaning head, dust collector and ducting.
The cleaning head has three cleaning components:
- Static bars break the static bond between charged particulate and the sheet. Removing the static charge also minimizes reattraction of charged particles
Brushes loosen particulate. Brushes are economical and very easily replaced. Each set lasts up to 12 months. Different bristle types are available
Intake slot suctions particulate into collector. High velocity vacuum loosens and lifts more stubborn particulate
For information on the Ion-O-Vac Mark I, CLICK HERE
Static Problems on the Feeder
Problem 1 - Double sheet pick-ups
Electrostatically charged sheets on the feed pile attract to each other and stick together. When the vacuum suckers try to pick up the top sheet, an additional sheet or two can also be picked up, causing a jam at the infeed cylinder. The existing sheet separator nozzle may mechanically separate the sheets at the edge but cannot neutralize the charge between the sheets.
Problem 2 - Sheet skews on feedboard
A static charge on a single sheet, especially near an edge or a corner, will cause it to attract to the feedboard. This will cause the sheet to drag and pull out of alignment. The grippers on the infeed cylinder will miss the sheet, resulting in a jam.
Solution
SIMCO’s R55 Ionizing Air Nozzles deliver high velocity ionized air to the feed pile to separate the sheets while neutralizing static charges, preventing double sheet pick-ups and skewing on the feedboard. As the vacuum suckers lift the edge of the top sheet, the R55 Nozzles blow high velocity ionized air between the sheets. The R55 neutralizes the static charge, allowing separation of the sheets.
Most presses require two R55 Nozzles, however 40-inch presses printing on plastic or lightweight coated materials may require two additional nozzles (one on each side of the feed pile) and an additional power supply.
The R55 Nozzles are easily mounted in place of the existing sheet separator nozzles using the supplied brackets. The nozzles operate on compressed air and use the original blower system’s air hoses. A SIMCO power supply provides high voltage to the R55 Nozzles to produce the ionization necessary to neutralize static charges.
For information on the R55 Nozzle, CLICK HERE
Static Problems at Delivery
Uneven stacks, paper curl-ups and paper jams at the delivery stack
Static charges develop on the surface of the paper or plastic sheets as they are transported through the press. Static charges may cause the sheets to be repelled from, or attracted to the stack. This causes the sheets to curl under or drag on the stack, resulting in a paper jam at the top of the stack or uneven stacks.
Solution
SIMCO’s R50 and R51 Blue Bar are shockless static bars that neutralizes the static charge on the sheet at delivery, eliminating paper jams and uneven stacks.
The Blue Bar is mounted across the paper path, adjacent to the first row of blow-down fans just above the gripper chain return. As the sheets pass under the Blue Bar the static charges are neutralized and the sheets are delivered uniformly onto the stack.
For information on the R50, CLICK HERE
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