Rotogravure printing machines

The issue:

In web processes, such as rotogravure printing, static electricity is a frequent, annoying, and often expensive source of production problems. If flammable solvents are used in the process, static electric charges can constitute an ignition source. Charging of webs can occur during unwinding, travel over rollers, pressing between rolls, or contact with coating rolls. Charging generally will increase with increasing web speed, tension, and roller wrap angle; a finer roll surface finish will enhance charging by increasing the area of roll-web contact. Web slippage over roll surfaces, caused by differential web speed or roll malfunction, can also significantly increase charging.

Risk mitigation is therefore essential to prevent a potentially hazardous situation.

The remedy:

Position Valstat ATEX certified static eliminating bars, as illustrated below. Each bar produces a balanced flow of positive and negative ions, directed towards the charged substrate and neutralising it. The possibility of a spark due to an electrostatic discharge from the fast moving film or paper is therefore eliminated and the working environment is much safer.

AxisValence offers a range of off-the-shelf and customised electrostatic control products like static eliminators, charging systems, static charge monitoring systems, for industrial applications. Contact us to know more.