Pumps are the core system that allows the transfer of colors used from the tanks where liquids are stocked to the printing phase.

 

LIQUIDS 

The main liquids pumped are: 

• Water-based inks (blend of water - resins - pigments - additives) are mainly used for paper and cardboard

• Solvent-based inks, (blend of solvent - resins - pigments - additives) are used for all kind of surface materials except paper and cardboard

• UV inks (blend of monomers - oligomers - pigments - photoinitiators) are used for specific surfaces like glass, metal, rigid plastics

 

PROCESSES

Ink dispensing machine

Operation Transfer ink from tank to printing machine
How many pumps The ink dispensing area has installed dozen of pumps, but it depends on the service needed.
Pump configuration ASTRAevo/ARGemini made of GFR-PP with EPDM membranes - ASTRAevo made of Aluminum with PTFE membranes

Printing Machine
 

Operation Transferring the product from tank to machine
How many pumps 8/10 pumps (1 pump per color)
Pump configuration ASTRAevo/ARGemini made of GFR-PP with EPDM membranes - ASTRAevo made of Aluminum with PTFE membranes

Cleaning phase
 

Operation For discharging the ink waste and cleaning liquids.
How many pumps The cleaning process is very important and requires from 1 to 3 pumps installed
Pump configuration ASTRAevo made of Aluminum with EPDM membranes

Why are ARGALAIR solutions ideal for the processes listed above?

Along these three phases the inks’ properties are subjected to alteration, changing the pH or viscosity characteristics and depending on how they are transferred, they can foam or be contaminated.

These issues lead to a bad printing quality: 

• pH and viscosity: if both characteristics are altered, there is a risk that the ink gels (in the case of water-based ink)

• Foaming: when the machine speeds up, the water-based ink creates bubbles (the flow of transfer is not regular)

• Contamination: the cleaning process is the most critical and must be very accurate otherwise residues remain and alter the other inks

ARGALAIR’s pumping solutions include specific materials and flux regulators that allow the sheer sensitive liquids to carefully flow through without any alteration to their properties, ensuring a strong reliability throughout the processes.