Automatic ink supply for printing process esp. on carton - has recirculating feed with mixing reservoir and integral viscosity monitors

摘要

The ink feed to the process position (36) is via recirculating supply pumped through a set of valves (35,38), one (35) being a solenoid stop-valve. The supply includes a mixing reservoir (20) and a supply reservoir (1). Each reservoir is stirred and has a separate monitor (8) for viscosity. The mixing reservoir has a feed for additive and a feed for solvent/thinner. The reservoirs are temperature controlled (TF1,TF3) to ensure even print quality. The supply reservoir feeds the mixing reservoir and the process position (36). The viscosity monitors (8) have pairs of vertically spaced contacts (9) to monitor fluid levels. The solvent feed ensures compensation for evaporation. ADVANTAGE - Fully automated print quality control.