Heidelberg CombiStar
Stable alcohol concentration, effective dampening solution
filtration and constant water quality are all essential for
generating reproducible printing results. Heidelberg's CombiStar
dampening system addresses these requirements.
ALCOHOL
Isopropanol (otherwise known as IPA) fulfils a number of key functions in offset printing, including reducing the surface tension of the dampening solution (increased wetness), raising dampening viscosity (thickness) and preventing increased water hardening. When IPA is used in offset printing, accurate metering of alcohol into dampening solutions can ensure consistent dampening quality.
AlcoSmart, a state-of-the-art alcohol measurement device, has been integrated into Heidelberg's CombiStar dampening system for more than four years. AlcoSmart features automatic self-calibration capabilities, which ensures precise alcohol measuring with little maintenance required. The measuring accuracy of AlcoSmart is a reliable +/- 0.5% of alcohol at a measuring range of 0% to 15% - satisfying even the most demanding requirements in the printing industry.
FILTRATION SYSTEMS
Increasing the service life of dampening solution through improved filtration offers considerable potential for cost and time savings.
Heidelberg's CombiStar dampening systems are fitted with the SoftFlow dampening solution filter as standard. The SoftFlow filter is effectively a filter bag used in the dampening solution tank that removes impurities from the dampening solution returning from the water pans. This means that dirt particles can no longer enter the tank. The very large filter surface - 300% greater than filter mats -enables exceptional filtration down to particle sizes of 5 µm (or one-twentieth the thickness of a human hair). Depending on the degree of soiling, filter service lives of approx. 8 - 12 weeks are possible - a service life of two to three times longer than traditional filter mats.
The Lithopure optional fount filtration system is a self enclosed system which is simply placed into the dampening circulation tank, and runs independently of, and in addition to any other filters in the dampening system. Lithopure provides and incredibly simple, low cost filtration solution that can significantly extend dampening solution life, increase maintenance intervals and increase press productivity. Luthopure can double dampening solution service life when compared to an efficient SoftFlow filter.
WATER
Water found in nature is not clean - rather it contains numerous gasses and minerals. In fact, the quality of water can vary dramatically depending on its location, the time of year and, in some cases, even the time of day. As water is the major constituent of dampening solution, the variability of water quality can greatly affect dampening efficiency.
The quality of water is measured by its hardness, which largely depends on the quantities of calcium and magnesium present. In order to ensure that water used for dampening maintains an ideal degree of hardness - generally from 8 to 12 on the German dH scale - the process of Reverse Osmosis can be employed. Here, water supplied is firstly cleaned through a membrane (acting as a type of molecular sieve) and then reconditioned with salts before being added to the final dampening system. Crucially, water treated via Reverse Osmosis maintains a consistent hardness/quality - adding greater stability to the final dampening solution.
The alpha.r range of Reverse Osmosis systems offered by technotrans have been specifically adapted to the requirements of offset printing and can easily be incorporated into the CombiStar dampening systems.
ALCOHOL
Isopropanol (otherwise known as IPA) fulfils a number of key functions in offset printing, including reducing the surface tension of the dampening solution (increased wetness), raising dampening viscosity (thickness) and preventing increased water hardening. When IPA is used in offset printing, accurate metering of alcohol into dampening solutions can ensure consistent dampening quality.
AlcoSmart, a state-of-the-art alcohol measurement device, has been integrated into Heidelberg's CombiStar dampening system for more than four years. AlcoSmart features automatic self-calibration capabilities, which ensures precise alcohol measuring with little maintenance required. The measuring accuracy of AlcoSmart is a reliable +/- 0.5% of alcohol at a measuring range of 0% to 15% - satisfying even the most demanding requirements in the printing industry.
FILTRATION SYSTEMS
Increasing the service life of dampening solution through improved filtration offers considerable potential for cost and time savings.
Heidelberg's CombiStar dampening systems are fitted with the SoftFlow dampening solution filter as standard. The SoftFlow filter is effectively a filter bag used in the dampening solution tank that removes impurities from the dampening solution returning from the water pans. This means that dirt particles can no longer enter the tank. The very large filter surface - 300% greater than filter mats -enables exceptional filtration down to particle sizes of 5 µm (or one-twentieth the thickness of a human hair). Depending on the degree of soiling, filter service lives of approx. 8 - 12 weeks are possible - a service life of two to three times longer than traditional filter mats.
The Lithopure optional fount filtration system is a self enclosed system which is simply placed into the dampening circulation tank, and runs independently of, and in addition to any other filters in the dampening system. Lithopure provides and incredibly simple, low cost filtration solution that can significantly extend dampening solution life, increase maintenance intervals and increase press productivity. Luthopure can double dampening solution service life when compared to an efficient SoftFlow filter.
WATER
Water found in nature is not clean - rather it contains numerous gasses and minerals. In fact, the quality of water can vary dramatically depending on its location, the time of year and, in some cases, even the time of day. As water is the major constituent of dampening solution, the variability of water quality can greatly affect dampening efficiency.
The quality of water is measured by its hardness, which largely depends on the quantities of calcium and magnesium present. In order to ensure that water used for dampening maintains an ideal degree of hardness - generally from 8 to 12 on the German dH scale - the process of Reverse Osmosis can be employed. Here, water supplied is firstly cleaned through a membrane (acting as a type of molecular sieve) and then reconditioned with salts before being added to the final dampening system. Crucially, water treated via Reverse Osmosis maintains a consistent hardness/quality - adding greater stability to the final dampening solution.
The alpha.r range of Reverse Osmosis systems offered by technotrans have been specifically adapted to the requirements of offset printing and can easily be incorporated into the CombiStar dampening systems.
