BRUMMEN, The Netherlands—GSE, a global provider of ink logistics solutions for label and packaging flexo and gravure applications, has introduced automation and safety enhancements to its Colorsat ink dispensing program. These include conveyor-blenders that reduce manual input when supplying dispensed inks to the press, and a vapor extraction unit for solvent inks, according to GSE.
The Colormix conveyors enable safe, easy transport of dispensed water-based and solvent-based inks or coatings, in buckets, between the point of dispensing and blending. They are suitable for the Colorsat Compact dispenser, a system for high-volume package printing, and the Colorsat Slim, for small and medium-volume flexible packaging and carton applications.
The Colormix blender can be semi or fully automatic, depending on the dispenser it is installed with. The semi-automatic blender, suitable for both the Colorsat Slim and Compact dispensers, is delivered with a gravity roller conveyor. The 25-liter dispense bucket is transported to the blending position, activated by releasing a bar with a pedal. The blending process is activated by pushing a button. On completion of the process, the blending arm automatically withdraws from the bucket and turns to an adjacent container for cleaning of the shaft and blades before blending the next batch.
The fully automatic system can be integrated with Colorsat Compact dispensers. Empty buckets can be placed on an infeed conveyor. After dispensing, the bucket is automatically transported to the blending position and blended without manual intervention. For assurance of a safe, explosion-free environment for handling solvent inks, the bucket is automatically grounded.
GSE’s new vapor extraction unit sucks emissions from solvent inks as they evaporate when the ink is dispensed on the Colorsat Slim and Compact dispensers. On the Slim, vapor is extracted through holes in the dispense head. On the Compact, vapor is extracted from the back plate of the dispense position.
GSE’s Colorsat modular dispensing systems mix and dispense flexo, gravure and screen inks to precise quality and quantity specifications in minutes, according to the company. Benefits are reduced setup times, ink-yield improvements of over 30 percent thanks to easy re-use of press-return inks, a cleaner color mixing environment and better stock management. Tailored systems are available for the complete range of package printing situations, for water-based, UV- and solvent-based ink sets, from label printing dispensers that provide colors in 1kg-10kg volumes, to high-volume dispensers for corrugated board and flexible packaging, with up to 34 components.
For more information about the Colormix blender and to watch a video of its operation, go to this link on the GSE website.
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