Temperature Control

• Improved print quality results by decreasing dot gain in color selections and improving the outline in spot colors.
• Drying control, in solvent base the ink does not dry on the plate and is transferred to the printed substrate with better outline and intensity. In water base the ink is more stable as it avoids pH variations due to evaporation.
• Prevents water absorption by ink hydroscopy, resulting in brighter colors.
• Significant solvent savings by avoiding evaporation and achieving a stable concentration.

Solvent mixer

It allows you to create formulas for up to 4 different solvents to prepare, on-line, the dilution solvent for color control and cleaning used individually at each printing station. The formulas are associated with each printing station and are saved in the job sheet for future repetitions. In this way, inks of different technologies can be used, as well as adjusting the formula of the solvent used based on the temperature, ambient humidity or printing speed.

Solvent Consumption

It quantifies the solvent consumed at each printing station, using flow sensors, distinguishing between whether it is used for washing or viscosity control, and provides reports on the quantity of solvent used in a given period of time or in a given job. It presents the result in graphs and reports. With this consumption measurement system, the production costs of each job can be known and forecasts can be made for solvent purchases.

PH control for water-based ink

It is a pH control module that far exceeds market standards in its field of action. It is intended for water-based inks, and automatically measures and corrects the pH levels of the ink used, keeping all the qualities of the ink stable. It is made up of sensors, one for each measurement unit, controlled by software and with a pH correction addition valve. pH control in water-based inks allows drying to be adjusted. Lowering the pH level results in quick-drying inks and thanks to automatic control, the risk of defective prints due to inks with pH levels that are too low is eliminated, since the tendency of an ink in production is to lose pH level.

Magnetic ink filters

Filters with magnets are incorporated into the ink inlet line to remove impurities that may damage both the control and printing systems. The magnets remove metallic particles that normally come from the blades of the printing body. There are different filter mesh pitches, in addition, the filter body acts as an expansion vessel in pneumatic pump circuits, minimizing the water hammer caused by these. During printing, all kinds of solid waste fall into the ink. The filters prevent these particles from passing through the circuit, avoiding printing defects, scratches on the chrome plated rotogravure cylinders or on the flexographic anilox, obstructions of the alveoli of these same cylinders or deposits in pipes and ink pumps. Available with different configurations and thread pitches.

Agitators to eliminate foam and mix the solvent or water with the ink

The agitators are presented as another module of the I-ICS system and improve the mixture between ink and solvent, reduce the foam that can be generated in the ink container, minimizing the adverse effects that this can cause in the printed matter. It is installed on a stainless steel support and is activated with automatic start and stop, from the system's desk. It is also available as an independent pumping, agitation and filtering system. It can be configured with different inlet, outlet and thread pitch arrangements.

Integration and optional features

The I-ICS ink control system can be integrated with our other systems in a single control panel. There are automatic washing systems for flexographic and gravure machines, automatic ink tank refilling systems, ink consumption calculation systems or any other special functionality that can be custom developed according to customer specifications.