ENGINEERED VALUE WORLDWIDE DESIGNING PUMPS INTO INK SUPPLY SYSTEMS

Transcription

1 ENGINEERED VALUE WORLDWIDE DESIGNING PUMPS INTO INK SUPPLY SYSTEMS

2 WIR SIND KNF - INTRO WE ARE KNF A LEADER FOR CUSTOMIZED PUMPS AND SYSTEMS

3 OVERVIEW INK SUPPLY SYSTEMS Ink supply to printheads Two main types: End shooter / Single ended printheads Recirculating printheads

4 OVERVIEW INK SUPPLY SYSTEMS End shooter with vacuum control

5 OVERVIEW INK SUPPLY SYSTEMS Recirculating systems with two sub-tanks above printhead

6 OVERVIEW INK SUPPLY SYSTEMS Recirculating system direct to printhead

7 PUMP REQUIREMENTS Pump function: Bulk Ink Agitation Requirements: Duty cycle: continuous operation 24/7 Slow moving, constant speed, not causing any foaming and bubbling

8 PUMP REQUIREMENTS Pump function: Ink supply to sub tank Requirements: Flow rate sufficient to keep constant level in sub-tank Duty cycle: stop and go, depending on ink consumption at print head Flow needs to be controllable by adjusting motor speed

9 PUMP REQUIREMENTS Pump function: Create vacuum for degassing of ink Requirements: Low vacuum for UV / solvent based ink too much vacuum can cause evaporation of solvents High vacuum for aqueous inks Duty cycle: pump constantly running Ability to handle a small amount of ink occasionaly Condensate ability

10 PUMP REQUIREMENTS Pump function: Generate vacuum to control meniscus pressure Requirements: Low pulsation on suction side of pump, as it may directly affect print quality Good vacuum regulation, to maintain required pressure at nozzles with changing ink flow No vacuum leaks allowed, as it may cause ink dripping Meniscus vacuum control influences ink drying on nozzle and substrate

11 PUMP REQUIREMENTS Pump function: Create pressure for air purging Requirements: Create air pressure to push air bubbles out of system Reliable start-up after a longer pause

12 OVERVIEW INK SUPPLY SYSTEMS Recirculating systems with two sub-tanks above printhead

13 PUMP REQUIREMENTS Pump function: Generate pressure in Sub-tank 1 (inlet of printhead) Requirements: Low pulsation on pressure side of pump, as it may transfer into the ink and to the printhead. Additional pulsation damping elements may be required Low vibration Compact size, as space is often limited Good controllability of pressure by adjusting motor speed Quick reaction time of pump, as it may be integrated in a closed loop system.

14 PUMP REQUIREMENTS Pump function: Generate vacuum in Sub-tank 2 (outlet of printhead) Requirements: Low pulsation on suction side of pump, as it may transfer into the ink and to the printhead Good controllability of vacuum by adjusting motor speed Quick reaction time of pump, as it may be integrated in a closed loop system to control pressure difference between sub tanks Critical to control the amount of ink flowing through printhead

15 OVERVIEW INK SUPPLY SYSTEMS Recirculating system direct to printhead

16 PUMP REQUIREMENTS Pump function: Direct ink supply to printhead Requirements: Flow rate high enough to always supply sufficient amount of ink to printhead Flow rate must be controllable by adjusting motor speed Low pulsation is critical, as the ink goes more or less directly to the printhead Usually additional dampers required on inlet and outlet side of printhead

17 PUMP REQUIREMENTS Pump function: Ink recirculation Requirements: Low pulsation on suction side of pump Flowrate of pump must be controllable, as it should be synced with the pump on the inlet side of the printhead

18 PUMP REQUIREMENTS Pump function: Pressure source for dampers Requirements: Low pulsation on pressure side Pressure controllable by adjusting motor speed Quick reaction time for integration into closed loops

19 PUMP REQUIREMENTS Other pump functions: Supporting printhead cleaning Delivering cleaning liquid to printhead cleaning station Ability to handle cleaning liquid, which may be chemically agressive Dosing of a certain amount may require precise flow control Pump needs to operate well after longer break Suck away cleaner and ink clots Create vacuum and allow occasional particles and slurry to be sucked through the pump

20 PUMP REQUIREMENTS Other pump functions: Temperature control Circulation of liquid for head or ink temperature control Substrate fixation Create vacuum to hold down substrate and avoid uncontrolled movement

21 DIAPHRAGM PUMP TECHNOLOGY- Diaphragm pumps are the preferred choice for ink supply systems, because they are compatible with any ink used in the market do not destroy the ink prevent contamination of the ink do not transfer much heat into the ink do not have a problem with running dry have a good size performance ratio are maintenance-free and highly reliable

22 WHO IS KNF? Family owned independent Technology leader Global representation Modular products Customer specific solutions From small to high volume orders Worldwide «Engineer to Engineer» collaboration

23 IMAGE MODULARES SYSTEM THANKS TO OUR MODULAR SYSTEM, WE CAN OFFER UNMATCHED LEVELS OF FLEXIBILITY, SPEED AND RELIABILITY.

24 KNF WELTWEIT- INTRO KNF WORLDWIDE WE ARE WHERE OUR CUSTOMERS ARE

25 WHERE ARE WE?WORLDWIDE WORLDWIDE AMERICAS USA EUROPE NETHERLANDS SCANDINAVIA UNITED KINGDOM SWITZERLAND BELGIUM FRANCE GERMANY ITALY ASIA CHINA INDIA JAPAN SINGAPORE SOUTH KOREA AUSTRALIA SALES CENTER MANUFACTURING SITE

26 WHERE ARE WE? TABLETOP B5 KNF NEUBERGER GMBH FREIBURG DE KNF FLODOS SURSEE SWITZERLAND

27 WHERE ARE WE? IN SPACE! Picture Source ISS: NASA

28 IMAGE - 100% ZUVERLÄSSIGKEIT WHEN 100% RELIABILITY AND MINIMIZED DOWNTIME ARE ESSENTIAL KNF DELIVERS.

29 THANK YOU!