Details:
Summary:
If getting to the correct color on press in the shortest number of meters is the goal then there are fundamental design problems in the process that must be recognized and corrected. This paper will deal with the three basic problems: consistency, predictability, and response time, that are needed to be understood and dealt with. Analysis and experimental results will be presented. This material has been collected over a ten year period and will also include the knowledge learned by Fountech Inc. Fountech Inc. attempted to develop a better ink fountain and control system that could preset color densities and run with stable color densities that were independent of press speed and water setting. The technology was not commercially viable but the analysis of the performance relative to consistency, predictability and response time brought about new understanding of the problems and will be discussed. The problems, their causes and solutions, with ink feed, presetting and roller train design will be discussed in depth. Limitations with using the press as a research tool will also be commented on.