Printing

During the process of printing on sheet or web of paper and plastics – both often coated, the occurrence of static charge is practically unavoidable. Also due to the fact, that the processing speed and cycle times are increasing, a static neutralisation is indispensable in order to guarantee a clean print and enable certain processes with their speed.

IONTIS products are already being used in subsequent processes for both discharging and charging:

+49 7628 35 94 064

Free consultation.

Web Offset

In the heatset web offset a deliberate charging of the web at the point of feeding the chill/cooling roll will ensure proper web alignment by adhering the web (paper often with 110ºC) to the cooling roll and thus ensure efficient and even cooling without occurrence of stripes of condesnsed moisture..

In the further course, the material can be neutralised with antistatic bars so that no dust is attracted and processing is disrupted.

Flexoprint

Built-up electrostatic charge can be removed before printing with antistatic bars and, if necessary, air support to remove disturbing cutting residues and dust.

Rotogravure Printing

To achieve a missing-dot free print quality even at very high web speed, the application of generated static charge to the impression roller can ensure the efficient and precise colour transfer from the paint cups to the substrate even without high pressure on the rollers.

However, currently we do not offer ESA systems for the Ex hazardous zones (charging of pressure roller for improved print result).

Inkjet & Wideformat Print

The applied ink can distort the ink pattern due to static charge on the substrate but also clogg the print nozzles and/or impact the electronic parts of the printing head, if no static neutralisation is performed prior to printing.

Packaging

By systematically charging the layers, an interlocking of the stack can be achieved which stabilises later in handling steps between compensating stacker and palletisation.

Pneumatic Transport

Neutralisation via tube ionisation or ring electrode allows for a trouble-free transport of solid parts in tubes with the use of pressurised air (e.g. trim waste and foil remnants at the inlet of cyclones or prior to the mill).

Sheetfed Offset

At feeders the material can get charged, stick to the feeder or interlock, such that double sheet feeding occurs if no static neutralisation is applied. The problem becomes more distinct, the drier the sheet and/or environment are.

At the feed table especially large format and folio-size sheets are vulnerable to re-generating static charge and remain adhered to the table or, feed with mis-alignement in the positioning marks. A static neutralisation needs to be foreseen.

Additionally, in order for the sheets not to float at the delivery and also be stacked precisely aligned, the use of an anti-static bar can neutralise any troubling electrostatic charge.

Digital Print

Discharging at the infeed and stack separation helps to separate blocked material and prevent it from sticking in the machine.

Conversely, discharging at the exit can reduce the often still considerable charge from the printing process, e.g. laser, and also prevent blocking problems and not edge-exact depositing in the stack.

Serigraphy

Sheet can become charged esp. when printed on plastic or plasticised material. Without static discharge the material can interlock at the feeder and consequently be misfed, stick to the sieve bed and form disturbing paint threads, be attracted when lifting off the sieve and form “crow’s feet”, adhere on it’s way to the drier or dircetcly to the drier belt and, attract dust from the air.

Folding & Postpress

Interlocking of paper strands before the cross-cutter via electrostatic charging can prevent deviations in trimming accuracy and dog-eared sheet corners in the folding machine.

Problems caused in the folding machine at the fin roller through electrostatic charge of the sheets, especially when processing low grammages, leading to congestion and jamming of paper can be avoided through active electrostatic neutralisation.

Tipp

Our technical experts deal with electrostatics in industry on a daily basis – benefit from their expertise and let them advise you!

Selected application pictures: