Some Like It Hot ...
The technology behind today's drying equipment hasn't changed very much in recent years, but that doesn't make it any easier for a converter to choose the best product.
EACH CONVERTER HAS his or her own unique needs when it comes to drying equipment, and one trend seems to be mixing different technologies to meet the needs of the application. This is just one approach, however, and drying equipment suppliers are continuing to provide the latest and greatest product advancements to meet customers' needs.
Coping with trends
Matt Litzler, president of C.A. Litzler, knows well about keeping his customers happy.
"When customers in the converting industry are looking to purchase new equipment, they are looking for solutions on how to improve their process and reduce manufacturing costs," Litzler said.
As a result of this ever-important and growing need, Litzler has designed the PERFECT FLOAT® combination dryer that combines both convection and infrared technologies.
"The use of these two technologies delivers more effective and efficient heat transfer, while increasing productivity and quality at reduced operating costs," he said.
Litzler added that staying ahead with technology innovations is a two-fold process—he continually supports education of his engineering staff concerning new technologies and advancements, while his customers keep him informed about their specific needs.
These types of efforts by suppliers will continue to drive new product introductions that improve operational efficiencies and cost performance. The following is a representative sampling of drying equipment that can improve your bottom line.
Dryer for flexible film inks—a space saver
Prime UV Systems
www.primeuv.com
The Prime FLEXfilm UV Curing System can be easily installed after the last color unit on CI flexo presses and requires less than three feet of space in the web direction. The curing system can also be installed as a retrofit on all CI web presses running flexible films, or can be installed on new CI flexo or in-line flexo presses.
Total drying system—the Shortwave IR Dryer
Fuchs-DeVries Inc.
www.fuchs-devries.com
Fuchs-DeVries works with its customers to extend their printing ranges and types of jobs, and they do this with their line of Shortwave Infrared Dryers. Fuchs-DeVries' infrared systems can significantly improve the quality and speeds of printing jobs because water and any thinning agents evaporate rapidly. Every Fuchs-Devries dryer is equipped with a stack temperature gauge to keep line operators informed and in control of the heating process. Using a "sword-like" probe the operator can adjust the system to maintain the optimal temperature.
Compact IR-convection dryer
XericWeb Drying Systems
www.xericweb.com
The irAIR Dryer combines infrared heat with high-velocity air jets to dry water-based inks and coatings with a compact, efficient drying unit. It allows for faster printing speeds, improved print quality with individual dryer controls at each print station, even drying across the web, no cool web edges, air impingement slots, and quiet, compact supply blowers.
Dryers specifically for inkjet printers
Radiant Energy Systems Inc.
www.radiantenergy.com
Radiant Energy Systems is continuing to develop a series of infrared preheaters and infrared air heaters for inkjet printers. In the same product, one heater is used to preheat the vinyl to 150°F prior to printing, and the second heater is used to dry the ink. The system includes a common control panel. Also, an SF electric infrared heater is incorporated in these units.
Air blanket infrared drying system
Printing Research
www.superblue.com
The Printing Research AB I and AB II Air Blanket InfraRed Drying Systems provide accelerated drying of inks and varnishes, with immediate drying of water-based coatings. These systems combine short-wave infrared heat energy, high-velocity hot air jets, and higher volume air exhaust. With a compact design, the AB Dryers install easily in virtually all litho presses.
Two-pass infrared dryer for fast line speeds
Glenro Inc.
www.glenro.com
Glenro has manufactured a two-pass electric infrared dryer to reduce moisture in paper and other material plies prior to calendering. With a total power of 292 kW, the electric infrared oven is designed to pass two webs through simultaneously, at speeds of 6-600 fpm. The new stainless steel infrared dryer measures 14´ long by 4.3´ wide by 7´ high.
Maximum curing power with minimal heat
GEW UV
www.gewuv.com
The latest innovation from GEW is NUVAplus, developed especially for UV curing for applications requiring maximum curing power with minimal heat. NUVAplus is suitable for web-fed machines producing packaging (unsupported film through to carton board) direct mail, and business forms. It boasts a standard 200 W/cm for the most demanding coatings, very cool running for heat-sensitive substrates, and other features.
Compact maximized drying
AAA Press International
www.aaapress.com
Maximizer drying systems are state-of-the-art electric impinged air infra-red dryers in a compact dryer hood that uses only 9˝ to 14˝ of web length. The systems can be retrofitted on existing equipment or as original dryers on new equipment. The dryer uses between four and nine quartz tubes positioned for percise heat. The PLC units include an "auto ramp" feature which automatically increases or decreases heater output proportional to line speed.
UV for high-speed presses
IST America
www.ist-uv.de/en
The BLK®-3 UV system meets the need for higher production speeds in UV web offset printing. With effective heat management, the BLK-3 system can be fitted with ELC® electronic control equipment and is designed for use with UV measuring systems. The system is also designed for use with the latest FLC® (Fast Lamp Change) lamps, which reduce lamp change-out time to a matter of seconds.
Universal UV curing system
Aetek UV Systems
www.aetekuv.com
The UVXL air-cooled arc lamp UV curing system uses medium-pressure, mercury arc lamps to allow UV curing of inks, coatings and varnishes to enhance the appearance and impart unique properties to the finished product. The arc lamp cassette module removes easily for quick access and service. Systems can be supplied for new narrow- or wide-web presses through the OEM, or as a retrofit on existing machines. The UVXL can be installed where space on the machine is limited.
Radiant-air increases drying
DRI
www.driir.com
The RA Series infrared dryers from DRI can be designed for between color drying on various flexographic and gravure presses and coaters. The Radiant-Air IR drying modules can be added to flexo and other presses that currently do not have interstation dryers, or can replace existing hot-air units for increased drying capacity, especially where space is limited. DRI's RA/Series Electric Radiant-Air Heater can be used as a stand-alone dryer or as a booster dryer with existing drying equipment. The RA/Series electric heaters also help to eliminate on-site emissions associated with the combustion of fossil-fuel-fired hot-air ovens and dryers.
