MUTOH America announce the release of their new, MS31 Eco-Solvent Ink. New enhancements developed for MS31 Eco-Solvent Ink include a wider color gamut, better adhesion, improved dot gain along with weather abrasion / chemical resistance.

MS31 is a direct replacement to Eco-Ultra VJ-MSINK3A inks that have been discontinued and requires no special flushing when switching from one ink to another. Additionally, no special firmware update is needed, and the new Eco-Solvent ink comes in convenient 220ml, 440ml cartridges and 1000ml ink bags.



Published in International

Roland DG has expanded its VersaUV LEC2 Series of UV roll-to-roll printer/cutters and VersaUV LEC2 S-Series UV flatbed printers with the addition of new orange and red ink options and a larger version of the optional extension table designed specifically for the LEC2-640.

Choosing an ink configuration which includes orange and red is ideal for those who work with brands that demand color-accurate print perfection. The new ink gamut also offers the perfect solution for print service providers seeking to add vibrancy and impact to their printed output to make their graphics – including backlit, canvas and decorative applications – really pop.

Suitable for the fullest range of printing capabilities, the GREENGUARD GOLD-certified EUV5 ink delivers stunning quality prints at all speeds and easily adheres onto a virtually limitless range of materials and substrates.

We’re delighted to add these two new vibrant colors to our EUV5 range, offering our customers an extended color gamut. The inks will enable new VersaUV LEC2 customers to take on an even wider range of work and produce stunning high-quality applications” Paul Willems, Director of Business Development and Product Management, EMEA at Roland DG.



Published in International

In October 2020, seven of the world’s leading chemical companies have come together to launch Sustainable Chemistry for the Textile Industry (SCTI) with a commitment to collaboration, innovation and transformational change, the new alliance aims to lead the textile and leather industries towards a more sustainable future.

The seven founding members of SCTI: Archroma, CHT Group, Huntsman, Kyung-In Synthetic Corporation (KISCO), Pulcra Chemicals, Rudolf Group and Tanatex Chemicals have made substantial investments in sustainable solutions in recent years. They are now committing to investing and working together to further advance chemistry knowledge and its safe and sustainable application in the textile and leather industries.

SCTI is developing a global harmonized sustainability standard for chemical products used in the industry, along with a supporting assessment tool that covers all aspects of the products; from hazards through to environmental, ecological and social impacts to help the industry produce more sustainable textile and leather end products for consumers through cleaner and more transparent supply chains that use less water and energy and produce less emissions and pollution.

Published in Inkjet Inks
Wednesday, 13 May 2020 22:03

A.T. Inks UV & UV-LED Inkjet Ink

Thanks to the constant development of new printing methods, as well as techniques that can be adapted to different materials, inkjet printing has become more popular on the last century.

One of the most popular techniques in the digital printing industry is the use of UV curable inks, which can be used to print onto a wide variety of porous and non-porous substrates (even metal or glass). This type of ink is cured almost instantly thanks to a ultra-violet lights that turns the ink immediately from liquid to a solid.

The development of LED curing technology for UV inks has opened new opportunities for printing onto different materials and substrates; that previously could not have been used as a result of the extreme heat produced with mercury lamps.

A.T. Inks (Rex-Tone Industries Limited) has a long history in the world of colors. Mr. Harish Goswamy founded this company in 1994 and since then they have added a wide variety of products to provide solutions to the different printing techniques.

Here are some of the UV and UV-LED inkjet inks that they have nowadays:

Credence F107 Ink – UV/LED

Ink is designed to work on multiple printheads and can be used on hybrid and roll-to-roll machines.

Ultra Elite EFF170 Ink – UV/LED

Works with both mercury UV lamp and LED Lamps 395 nm wavelength (8W or more). This ink is designed for flexible surfaces.

Ultra Elite EFF250 Ink – UV/LED

Works with both mercury UV lamp and LED Lamps 395 nm wavelength (8W or more). It is designed to work on multiple printheads and can be used on hybrid and roll-to-roll machines.

Ultra Elite EFH100 Ink – UV/LED

Works with both mercury UV lamp and LED Lamps 395 nm wavelength (8W or more). This ink is designed to work on hard/rigid surfaces with or without white ink and gives good to excellent adhesion on most rigid substrates (with/without primers)

Ultra Elite F027 Ink – UV/LED

Works with both mercury UV lamp and LED Lamps 395 nm wavelength (8W or more). This ink is designed for flexible surfaces.

Ultra Elite GF057 Ink – UV/LED

Ink specifically designed to work on Ricoh GH2220 printheads. Work best with LED lamps at 395 nm wavelength (8W or more) and also with UV mercury lamps. This ink is designed for flexible surfaces.

Ultra Elite H027 Ink – UV/LED

Work with both mercury UV lamp and LED Lamps 395 nm wavelength (8W or more). This ink is designed to work on hard/rigid surfaces with or without white ink and has good to excellent adhesion on most rigid substrates (with/without primers).

Ultra Elite XH067 Ink – UV/LED

Ink specifically designed to work on Xaar 1201 printheads. Work best with LED lamps at 395 nm wavelength (8W or more) and also with UV mercury lamps.

Ultra Elite H017 Ink – LED

LED lamp curable ink with LED at 395 nm wavelength (8W or more), designed to work on hard/rigid surfaces with or without white ink.

Ultra Elite F017 Ink – LED

LED lamp curable ink with LED at 395 nm wavelength (8W or more). This ink is designed for flexible surfaces.


AT-Inks-UV-UV-LED-Inkjet-Ink

Pablo M. Lee (DPI INSIGHTS/FLAAR-REPORTS), Checking a printed sample made with UV ink from AT INKS.



AT-Inks-UV-UV-LED-Inkjet-Ink


AT-Inks-UV-UV-LED-Inkjet-Ink


AT-Inks-UV-UV-LED-Inkjet-Ink

AT INKS UV-LED ink printed sample on glass.



AT-Inks-UV-UV-LED-Inkjet-Ink

Maria Renée Ayau and Pablo M. Lee (DPI INSIGHTS/FLAAR-REPORTS),
reviewing some UV printed samples at A.T. Inks boot. APPPEXPO 2019 Shanghai.


Published in UV-Curing
Monday, 06 April 2020 21:30

VOCs and Fumes The Silent Killers

In the digital printing industry, it´s of general knowledge that the printshops that have solvent ink printers handle fumes and odors that can cause health concerns and discomfort to their employees and customers. So it's no surprise that to solve this situation there are different types of solvent-based inks (Mild-Solvent, Eco-Solvent, Lite-Solvent, etc.) in the market that claim to be ecological and low odor.

The evaporation of the solvent components, responsible for transporting the ink and subsequently printing it on the material, are the primary source of production of these VOCs.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases emitted from certain solids or liquids as a result of a chemical transformation such as heating, etc. Inhalation of these fumes is dangerous because the hazardous components in them. The evaporated solvent product has been deemed hazardous to people when exposed to high-concentration levels. Fumes from chemicals or toxic substances can irritate your airways, skin and eyes, and inhaling a substance can make your nose and throat sore or swollen.

As a personal anecdote: many years ago I used to work in a printshop as a technician / operator of a Vutek Ultra VU printer (long before this brand was purchased by efi). This printer was installed in a refurbished 8mts x 10mts room that used to serve as a warehouse.

Constructed as a warehouse, this room did not have adequate ventilation to work with solvent-based digital printing machinery. One day, I was sitting working on an order that consisted of thousands of banners when suddenly I fell asleep, due to the filling of the air with solvent fumes. It is worth mentioning that after this event the company installed a VOCs extraction system.

But not only during the printing process we can find these VOCs, also during the finishing process we can find find this extremely harmful fumes for the human health.

It is increasingly common to see in trade shows, all around the world, a wide variety of CNC machinery presuming its ability to cut on a variety of materials (some more rigid than the others). The presence of several CNC cutters working in an enclosed space at the same time makes the environment so heavy that it is difficult to be near them for more than ten minutes

When a machine is so powerful that can cut thick material like a hot knife through butter, the fumes produced during this process are hazardous gases (include acutely toxic, corrosive, flammable and oxidizing gases) that are sufficiently toxic for the human being.

The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) in its norm 704 (Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response) define the toxicity of materials, that in short exposure could cause serious temporary or moderate residual injury are given a Health Hazard rating of 3 and materials that in very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury are given a Health Hazard rating of 4.

The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) in its norm 704 (Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response) define the toxicity of materials, that in short exposure could cause serious temporary or moderate residual injury are given a Health Hazard rating of 3 and materials that in very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury are given a Health Hazard rating of 4.

VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects.

Short-term effects

  • Headache
  • Nose, throat, eye irritation
  • Coughing, painful breathing
  • Pneumonia, bronchitis
  • Skin irritation
  • Dizziness
  • Sleepiness
  • Visual disorders
  • Memory problems

Long-term effects

  • Affects the central nervous system (headache, anxiety)
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Respiratory diseases (asthma, cancer)
  • Impacts on liver, spleen, blood
  • Impact on the reproductive system
  • Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of coordination
  • Dizziness
  • Damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system
  • Cancer

Currently there are many companies working on the improvement of this type of inks to reduce the amount of VOCs without compromising the quality of it. Also there are several companies dedicated to the manufacture of air purifiers that are responsible for eliminating pollutant gases leaving a safer environment for workers who spend most of their time next to this equipment.

There are other printing alternatives, a little healthier for the technician who operates the equipment as well as for the environment, although not very friendly to the pocket of the company owner.

The most important point is the awareness to the owner of the printshop in the creation of a healthy and safe environment, avoiding subsequent complications to their workers in the short and long term. Of course, you must invest but do not forget that you should not play with people's health.


Hongniu_fiber_laser_CNC_metal_sample

When a machine is so powerful that can cut thick material like a hot knife through butter, the fumes produced during this process are hazardous gases



Solvent-fumes-printed-sample


Solvent-fumes-printed-sample

The evaporation of the solvent components, responsible for transporting the ink and subsequently printing it on the material



Solvent-banner-printed_sample


Solvent-banner-printed_sample


Solvent-banner-printed_sample


Solvent-banner-printed_sample


Solvent-banner-printed_sample

Published in Inkjet Inks

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