No Dryer

Is it practical to operate a press without an inline dryer and only using powder? Can this even be done, if so what would the ink drying times look like?

 

Well yes all the old presses used to run that way but then the top speed was about 8,000 IPH so drying wasn't so much of a problem.

 

Thank you for your reply but what about on a sheetfed press going at around 15,000 to 17,000 sheets per hour?

 

If if if

If you are running the right amount of ink and at a good water ballance
If you have little as possible Alcohol on press
if you are using good ink and lay the sheets well at the delivery
then , it is [possible to print with no dryer at high speed , as long as your stock is not that heavy and the ink is at reasonable coverage.

out of that,,,you have got a problem and could damage your jobs.

With Modern inks , IR dryer is not a must , bit you must work right and think think think to avoid damaged jobs

 

I run a 5+coater without using IR on most jobs....just use minimum sufficient spray powder to prevent blocking.