Roller Contamination

Hi Guys, Getting closer to solving my damping problem on the 4 colour G.T.O. Contamination, big time seems to be the problem. I tried the calcium remover and warm water, quick colour change past etc etc... but still seems to be there. Any suggestions on how to remove this contamination from the rollers?
Thanks

 

Your water solution may be causing your contamination. I suggest trying a different type of solution either from your current supplier or another supplier. Is it in one unit or in all units? Our shop recently had calcium problems after changing suppliers. Also, check to make sure conductivity is not too high, that too will cause roller stripping.

 

Yes, changing over to alcohol free print tomorrow with new fount solution etc... What should the water conductivity be? Also, trying to find a supplier of a meter for conductivity that is for the print industry and am finding it difficult. I am located in Ireland, any suggestions on where to go? Thanks Oh spent the whole day cleaning out the system and flushing it out.

 

Each chemistry will have it's own optimum level for conductivity. Hopefully you can have a representative from your supplier there to help you get set up to proper values. I have used many different chemicals over the years and have found that each worked well with conductivity at a range of 1200-1600(again, check the manufactures suggested ranges). Having talked with many service reps and having read many labels, I would try and achieve a PH level of about 4.1 to 4.2(without alcohol).
As other people have suggested, try running without the 'Z' integrated.
I wish you success tomorrow.

 

Well the z rollers have been taken off intergrated, and the rep will be down tomorrow to help me in the change over. i hope it goes well tomorrow as i feel tired and stressed from all these problems. I do think tomorrow will finally rid me of my press problems. Thanks for the input and will let you know the outcome. Hea, my first cousins live in Toronto.

 

Try Hanna Instruments Ltd.

 

I've found that heavy calcium deposits on rollers will at times be resistant to removal with a single application of a calcium rinse. I would start with multiple calcium rinses and if that don't remove all traces of calcium carbonate then you might try removing all rollers from press and give a thorough scrubbing by hand with a strong solvent like prisco red magic and water. One all traces have been removed I'd suggest at least weekly rinses with a good cLcium remover. It's alot easier to keep calcium deposits in check than to remove heavy deposits once they have accumulated!!! Be aware that certain uncoated stocks like cougar opaque tend to leach alot of calcium into the rollers. Good luck

 

Conductivity meters for offset printing fountain solutions

Hello all alone,

Looks like you're not alone on here. The community on ColorPrintingForum seems great!

In regards to a conductivity meter, you can find high quality affordable meters here: conductivity meters for fountain solutions

Our other printing customers typically measure around 2000 micromhos or less. But listen to Grant B's suggestion - "Each chemical will have it's own optimum level for conductivity. Hopefully you can have a representative from your supplier there to help you get set up to proper values."

Try to get in touch with the supplier and let them know your application. They should be able to suggest the optimal measurement range. Once you have this info, visit the link and select the meter you need. You can save 10% ordering online if you haven't already found the one that you're looking for.

Hope that helps,
Jim Rutan
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Save 10% at MyronLMeters.com

 

hello all alone i have had similar problems on my heidielberg mo the actual water from the town supply was high in
calcium and most stocks today use calcium bicarbonate for whiteners adding to problem .distilled water is good way to go if you can/ bottcher roller makes an excelent calcium remover calcifix let it run in for 3 minutes rinse press wash and
water good luck /spike

 

i use a mix of 50/50 water and vinigar when washing up. works good.

 

Have you recently swiched wash up solutions? If so go back to the one that you used before problems were happening.

 

It depends on the Ph of your inks. you could use mild acids such as vinegar solution or something more acidic. Sad to say but the technician we hire wont tell us what solution he uses but he told us to remove it he uses mildly acidic chemicals. Alcohol is a very bad idea because it will dry up and destroy your rollers.

 

Yes, it wouldn't hurt taking your water form rollers out, scrubbing them with pumice powder, rinsing them well under tapwater and neutralising them afterwards with pure white vinegar.
Keep washing up with a rinse of vinegar and warm water after that, to maintain your rollers surface. It's an old remedy that has been proven to work, and your rollers will no longer be contaminated, as vinegar is a natural product that will not harm the rubber or affect your fountain, as long as you rinse them well.

 

I have good luck with febo clean 2000 from bottcher.I Put it on at the end of the day friday and leave it on over the weekend, wash up on monday with HOT water and roller wash.Hot water is the key to removing calcium and paper dust!!

 

Yes i agree using febo is good but caicium remover is even better .We use them both weekly