FTA Flexo Magazine features a Rheonics user case study – “Viscosity Standardization: One Printer’s Approach”

Overview

Flexographic printing focused magazine – Flexo (https://www.flexography.org/flexo-magazine/) publishes an in depth article showcasing the Rheonics SRV viscometers and the RPS InkSight Multi-Station Ink Control solution at a customer location in Netherlands.

Find the link to the the publication.

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Introduction

Viscosity is a very important parameter in final quality of the printed matter

Key value of inline ink monitoring and control solutions

Topics covered in the article

• Accuracy of the sensors
• non-Newtonian behavior of inks and characterization with viscometers
• Installation inside the press
• Predictive Tracking Control
• QA & Standardization
• Real units of viscosity – Cup Seconds or mPa.sec?

Unique advantages with the Rheonics SRV sensors

Rheonics sensors have built-in temperature measurement, permitting the temperature of the ink to be monitored. This permits the viscosity readings to compensated for temperature, which is essential for ensuring consistent production through typical daily and seasonal temperature variations.

There are many benefits to using an inline viscosity sensor like the SRV for printing applications. and some include:

• Works accurately in most coating systems with a broad range of ink compositions and viscosities – water-based, solvent-based, UV inks, metallic inks etc.
• Maintains the set ink viscosity, extremely responsive to fresh ink additions
• Rugged, hermetically sealed sensor head. The SRV can be cleaned inline with all standard CIP processes, or with a wetted rag, without the need for disassembly or recalibration
• No moving parts to age or foul with sediment
• Insensitive to particulate matter; no narrow gaps to foul with particulates
• All wetted parts are 316L stainless steel—meets sanitary norms with no corrosion problems
• Certified under ATEX and IECEx as intrinsically safe for use in hazardous environments
• Wide operational range and simple integration—Sensor electronics and communication options make it extremely easy to integrate and run in industrial PLC and control systems.

What is unique about Rheonics viscosity control?

• Traditional viscosity measuring methods (like efflux cups) are inaccurate, tedious to use, and prone to errors. Continuous viscosity control with such methods is extremely inefficient and unproductive.
• Many common viscosity measuring devices do not provide fine enough viscosity control and require high maintenance and frequent calibration.
• Rheonics RPS InkSight Predictive Tracking Controller and SRV viscometers enable tight viscosity control throughout the print job, due to the the system’s ability to autonomously maintain viscosity within extremely narrow limits.
• Printers can achieve unmatched color accuracy and quality with the RPS InkSight system and ColorLock software – which is designed in collaboration with printers, for printers.

Conclusion

As printing speeds increase, and profit margins get tighter, “getting it right the first time” becomes much more important. An error in initial viscosity setting can result in producing several thousand meters of waste in no time at all. Tight control with an accurate sensor, combined with a responsive control system, has enabled us to streamline our printing process while improving color quality and reducing waste.