Humidification and Evaporative Cooling
PRINT HUMIDIFICATIONIncreasing profits with environmental control
Condair humidifiers are used byprinters around the world to preventdimensional changes to paper, avoidissues of electrostatic, and prevent webbreaks and machinery downtime.
Some of the world’s largest printingcompanies, print machinerymanufacturers and brands put theirtrust in Condair humidificationsystems to help them improve
productivity and maintain theirproduct quality.
TRUSTED TECHNOLOGY
Condair has manufacturing facilities inAsia, Europe and North America as wellas sales operations in 15 countries anddistributors in over 40 more.
The company has been serving theglobal printing industry for more than60 years and is highly experienced inmany different processingtechnologies, climates and all types ofprint production and finishing facilities.
Humidifier systems are designed foreach individual application by printhumidification experts to create theoptimal production environment. Ifrequired, Condair’s regional R&Ddepartments can work with a client’sproduction team to deliver innovativesolutions for specialist printingprocesses.
Condair’s expert humidifierengineering teams can provideinstallation, commissioning andmaintenance support to ensureimproved production efficienciescontinue to return on the initialinvestment for many years.
GLOBAL EXPERTISE, LOCAL SOLUTIONS
Hewlett Packard, Spain
Heidelberger, Germany
Komori, Netherlands
Komori, FranceKBA, Germany
Océ, Germany
Tetra Pak, China
Beijing Beiren Yuxin Offset Printing Co., China
Vistaprint, Netherlands
RR Donelly, USA
Amcor Tobacco Packaging, Russia
Trinity Mirror Printing, UK
BDT Security Printing, Ireland
Multi-Color Corporation, Scotland
John Watson, Scotland
Gavin Watson, Scotland
Avery Dennison, USA
Action Printing, USA
3M, USA
Shutterfly, USA
Staples Print Solutions, USA
Ekol Ofset, Turkey
King Fahad Complex, Saudi Arabia
Al Yaum, Saudi Arabia
I-Pack, Kuwait
Vistaprint, Canada
RR Donnelley, Canada
Quebecor Printing, Canada
Imprenta Mariscal Cia. Ltda., Ecuador
Canadian Bank Note Company, Canada
Edda Printing, Iceland
Marinetti-Packaging, Chile
Sung-In Printers, Korea
Giesecke y Devrient, Mexico
English Press Ltd, Kenya
Ramco Printing Works Ltd, Kenya
Sagitario S.R.L., Bolivia
Tlačiarne BB, s.r.o., Slovakia
Impap SA de CV, Mexico
Sole 24 Ore, Italy
Strålfors, Sweden
Nationalbank, Denmark
Lightning Source, Australia
Offset Alpine Printing, Australia
IMPROVE PRINT PRODUCTIVITY WITHOPTIMUM HUMIDITYIn the extremely competitive print market, humidity control is essential to maintain productivity at all stages of production and avoid machine downtime and waste.
PaperPaper loses moisture rapidly whenexposed to dry air. Sheet and web rollpaper is typically produced andwrapped to stay in equilibrium with airat a humidity of 50±5%RH. When theambient humidity falls below this level,paper loses water to the environmentfrom exposed surfaces, changing itsshape, dimensions and physicalproperties.
Below 40%RH, the movement of paperon paper and other surfaces generateselectrostatic charges, which cause it tostick together, attract dust and becomedifficult to handle.
PlatemakingWhen the protective film is removedfrom plates, electrostatic charge isgenerated. This can attract dust andgrit to an otherwise unblemishedsurface, makes handling difficult andalso generates sparks. Maintaining anenvironment of 45%RH prevents theseproblems.
Sheet fed offsetUnwrapped paper in a dry press hallwill lose moisture from any exposedsurface. Tight edges result, making thepaper curl, causing misfeed,misregister, dot doubling and creasingas the paper passes between blanketand impression cylinders. Misfeed alsooccurs due to electrostatic build-up,making stacking difficult. Printed workawaiting another pass continues tochange shape, resulting in misregister.
During finishing, paper that has lowmoisture content will crack along foldsresulting in a lesser quality product orincreased wastage.
Maintaining a relative humidity of 50-55%RH in the press hall and binderyresolves these issues.
Web printingIf air is too dry in the paper store,laydown area and reel stand, theexposed edges of the paper rolls losemoisture and shrink. On the web press,the distorted paper is then undergreater tension at its edges than thecentre, causing tears. These web breaksmean substantial downtime as thepaper is spliced or rethreaded throughthe press.
In a dry press hall, the rapid passage ofpaper through the press generateselectrostatic charge. This results inproblems with stacking, cutting,trimming and folding, due to sticking.
Web printing is highly productive andany loss of production is costly, butproblems relating to dry air can beaddressed by maintaining the relativehumidity at 50-55%RH. In flexo, withwater-based inks, 55-60% is required.
Digital printingThe problems experienced elsewhere inprinting apply equally to digital butelectrostatic problems associated withmachinery can be a particular issue. Tocounter this, a relative humidity of 50-55%RH is recommended.
ASK FOR A FREE EXPERT CONSULTATION
Condair has a comprehensive range ofhumidification products to suit anyprinting facility. From wall-mountedsteam units for a small digital printroom to extensive spray systems forthe largest of press halls.
Condair also offers a wide range ofassociated products such as watertreatment systems, air compressors,pumps and humidity monitors.
SOLUTIONS FOR THE PRINTING INDUSTRY
JetSpray compressed air & water humidifier ML Princess high pressure humidifier
Draabe TurboFogNeo high pressure humidifier Condair EL steam humidifier
12/2018
Condair plcArtex Avenue, Rustington, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN16 3LN, UKTel: +44 (0)1903 850200 - [email protected] - www.condair.co.uk