Abstract
Electrostatic assistance (ESA) lifts gravure ink from the
engraved cells before actual nip contact. This improves
ink transfer. In this work the influence of ESA on ink
lifting speed and height was examined with both
electromechanically engraved and laser etched cells using
numerical simulation and experimental studies. Ink
lifting occurs quite similarly from both cell types:
without ESA ink stays in the cells until the physical
ink-substrate contact in the nip is formed. With ESA ring
shaped ink lifting near the cell edges is noted before
the nip contact. This leads to a doughnut shape contact
area in the nip. Higher ESA levels lead to faster ink
lifting and stronger ring shaped ink lifting in the
cells. Ink lifting occurs faster from U cells than from V
cells when the cells are having the same diameter and
depth. This however means different ink volume in the
cells. The cell geometry affects the shape of the printed
dots: even and round dots are printed with cells having
flat bottom. This nearly constant depth of the cell
provides equally distributed ink in the cell offering
also more even ink transfer.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Advances in Printing and Media Technology |
Subtitle of host publication | Proceedings of the 37th International Research Conference of iarigai |
Publisher | IARIGAI - International Association of Research Organizations for the Printing, Information and Communication Industries |
Pages | 283-290 |
Volume | XXXVII |
ISBN (Electronic) | 978-3-9870704-5-7 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-3-9812705-2-6 |
Publication status | Published - 2010 |
MoE publication type | A4 Article in a conference publication |
Event | 37th International Research Conference of iarigai - Montreal, Canada Duration: 12 Sept 2010 → 15 Sept 2010 |
Conference
Conference | 37th International Research Conference of iarigai |
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Country/Territory | Canada |
City | Montreal |
Period | 12/09/10 → 15/09/10 |
Keywords
- gravure printing
- electrostatic assistance
- cell geometry
- ink lifting