Stephan Plenz, member of the management board responsible for Heidelberg equipment, says, “We want the IPA-free Package to make it easier for our customers to switch to alcohol-free printing and to show that environmentally friendly solutions can also be cost-effective. There is already very strong interest for this type of solution in Europe, but demand is also growing among customers in Asia and Africa.”
Initially available for the Speedmaster XL 105, SM/CD/CX 102, and XL 75 series for use with conventional inks, the package incorporates coordinated machine components, consultancy services, and Saphira consumables, with new additions such as special dampening rollers with modified surface materials and structures and an extended range of features in the new CombiStar Pro. It also offers special Saphira dampening solution additives and consulting services. Heidelberg will make the solution available for other models and for UV print applications by drupa 2012.
Heidelberg says its new dampening rollers ensure that a sufficient quantity of dampening solution is evenly distributed over the printing plate, thereby achieving a steady ink-water balance. The CombiStar Pro peripheral unit is equipped with Digidos digital metering technology for dampening solution additives, which achieves a metering accuracy of plus/minus 0.1 percent. The Prinect Press Center control station gives the printer an overview of dampening solution quality, with developments in temperature, conductivity, and pH value displayed in real time. The CombiStar Pro also shows consumption levels for water, IPA, and dampening solution additive.
The company’s experts have worked with European customers over several months to test a broad range of alcohol substitutes. The most suitable turned out to be an additive based on glycols. Heidelberg offers IPA substitutes such as these in its Saphira range. It says these substitutes are more cost-effective and also improve print quality, with colours appearing far more vibrant, according to Heidelberg.
Specialist consulting during startup includes the pulling of a specially developed dampening test form for determining the best setting for the roller frame and dampening solution. The quality of process water and dampening solution is also analysed and press colour and dampening profiles are adjusted accordingly.
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter
