Komorimatic

Discussion in 'Komori Printing Presses' started by RichardK, Jan 11, 2011.

  1. RichardK

    RichardK Senior Member

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    A curious characteristic of the last two presses we've owned. Both Lithrones, both with Komorimatic (geared).

    99% of the catch-up issues we get occur on the operator side of the press. I'd expect just the odd occasion where the drive side dries first but no, always the operator side. Settings and condition of dampener rollers is good. Just wonder if anyone else gets this?

    I've even considered whether the pneumatics could be at fault but I'm getting no air leaks and the pressure is to spec.
     
  2. jetscreamer

    jetscreamer Senior Member

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    Richard k, I've noticed the same thing on a couple of lithrones that I have run. The roller settings are all good and the condition of the dampener rollers are good. Have a ponder on this, could there be a slight drag or roller deformation cause by the reverse slip of the metering roller?
     
  3. RichardK

    RichardK Senior Member

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    Hmm, if the reverse slip is causing deformation or wear wouldn't it be logical to assume there be wear on the drive side too?
     
  4. Vic the Printer

    Vic the Printer Member

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    One possible reason could be clogged holes through which the fountain solution enters the pan... (farthest holes away from the entry point). In other words that portion of the pan does not receive fresh cool fountain solution... which would help lubricate the rollers causing the slight deformation on one side.
     
  5. RichardK

    RichardK Senior Member

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    Interesting theory...but all the jets seem clear to me. Plus the issue only arises during the later half of the day on start ups or during a high speed high volume run.

    The meter roller looks quite clean with a 10mm band of ink build up around 10mm inboard from operator side of the roller. Cleaning this off doesn't really make the issue go away.
     
  6. aqazi81

    aqazi81 Senior Member

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    Hi,
    Can anyone send me the roller diagram of the komorimatic dmpening system?
     
  7. Vic the Printer

    Vic the Printer Member

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    Roller Diagram of a Lithrone 28
    [​IMG]
     
  8. aqazi81

    aqazi81 Senior Member

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    Thanx a lot VIC...
     
  9. turbotom1052

    turbotom1052 Senior Member

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    ill take a shot at it and suggest that perhaps its a heat buildup on that side of the press. This is when an infared thermometer comes in really handy. Check temp readings from the gear side of the press and compare them to temps from the operator side. Id be checking in various places on the entire dampening system first, then extend my search to the ink roller train and even onto the plate cylinders ect. Them infared thermometers are priceless in my opinion.
     
  10. RichardK

    RichardK Senior Member

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    @Turbotom1052 that's a theory our pressmen hold too. Presumably you've carried out a similar exercise, if you have what was the temperature differential between sides?
     
  11. turbotom1052

    turbotom1052 Senior Member

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    actually richard i havent had the need to do that. But ever since we got one of them nifty infared thermometers ive been just looking for reasons to use it. If i cant find my own reasons i can live vicariously through yours!!! All kidding aside i have found some really handy uses for it. Surface temperature of paper before printing, Pile temp of delivery load after printing, looking for hot spots on roller journals and bearings, compressor and pump temperatures, to name a few.
    Id tend to assume if there were a heat buildup issue it would be more so on the gear side of the press just because id think there would be more friction from the gears.
     
  12. RichardK

    RichardK Senior Member

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    That's the spirit! Rub it in, you tecnocrat you! :D
     
  13. turbotom1052

    turbotom1052 Senior Member

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    i love flexing my gadgetry
     
  14. RichardK

    RichardK Senior Member

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    Just as a matter of interest TT if you run a press with IR drying what temp do you go for in the stack?

    FYI we have a 'captive' probe thermometer, we aim for 32°c -38°c about five mins after print in the centre of the pile.
     
  15. turbotom1052

    turbotom1052 Senior Member

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    I shoot for 95 to 98 farenheit on the first side then i drop it down about 5 degrees when backing up jobs just so i dont re wet the coating. I like to arrive at them temps with 75% of the heat coming from the hot air knives and the other 25% coming from the infared dryer.
     
  16. RichardK

    RichardK Senior Member

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    More or less the same then 98f = 37c. Thanks for the info.
     
  17. turbotom1052

    turbotom1052 Senior Member

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    are you inline aqueous coating your work Richard?
     
  18. RichardK

    RichardK Senior Member

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    No - we don't have a coater, we use oilbase or water miscible varnish on the last deck. I have used it in the mid 80's and thought it was awesome...no spray, no setoff!
     
  19. turbotom1052

    turbotom1052 Senior Member

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    how are the gloss levels of this varnish?
     

  20. RichardK

    RichardK Senior Member

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    We have a standard gloss which is reasonable and a high gloss which is really good as long as there's a good base layer of ink to start with.

    Toyo matt overprint varnish is what we use for a smooth tactile finish on silk materials.

    On uncoated stock they're all under-performers compared to emulsion coating applied via anilox or a cut blanket.

    And of course you still need to use anti-setoff spray powder.

    Given the choice and a good chunk of $$ I'd go for an Epic (Dahlgren) convertible dampener on unit 6.

    Used it back in 1986 and it gave fantastic results, just haven't got the investment cash to spend on it today.
     
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