Humidification and Evaporative Cooling

PRINT HUMIDIFICATIONIncreasing profits with environmental control

Condair humidifiers are used byprinters around the world to preventdimensional changes to paper, avoidissues of electrostatic, and prevent webbreaks and machinery downtime.

Some of the world’s largest printingcompanies, print machinerymanufacturers and brands put theirtrust in Condair humidificationsystems to help them improve

productivity and maintain theirproduct quality.

TRUSTED TECHNOLOGY

Condair has manufacturing facilities inAsia, Europe and North America as wellas sales operations in 15 countries anddistributors in over 40 more.

The company has been serving theglobal printing industry for more than60 years and is highly experienced inmany different processingtechnologies, climates and all types ofprint production and finishing facilities.

Humidifier systems are designed foreach individual application by printhumidification experts to create theoptimal production environment. Ifrequired, Condair’s regional R&Ddepartments can work with a client’sproduction team to deliver innovativesolutions for specialist printingprocesses.

Condair’s expert humidifierengineering teams can provideinstallation, commissioning andmaintenance support to ensureimproved production efficienciescontinue to return on the initialinvestment for many years.

GLOBAL EXPERTISE, LOCAL SOLUTIONS

Hewlett Packard, Spain

Heidelberger, Germany

Komori, Netherlands

Komori, FranceKBA, Germany

Océ, Germany

Tetra Pak, China

Beijing Beiren Yuxin Offset Printing Co., China

Vistaprint, Netherlands

RR Donelly, USA

Amcor Tobacco Packaging, Russia

Trinity Mirror Printing, UK

BDT Security Printing, Ireland

Multi-Color Corporation, Scotland

John Watson, Scotland

Gavin Watson, Scotland

Avery Dennison, USA

Action Printing, USA

3M, USA

Shutterfly, USA

Staples Print Solutions, USA

Ekol Ofset, Turkey

King Fahad Complex, Saudi Arabia

Al Yaum, Saudi Arabia

I-Pack, Kuwait

Vistaprint, Canada

RR Donnelley, Canada

Quebecor Printing, Canada

Imprenta Mariscal Cia. Ltda., Ecuador

Canadian Bank Note Company, Canada

Edda Printing, Iceland

Marinetti-Packaging, Chile

Sung-In Printers, Korea

Giesecke y Devrient, Mexico

English Press Ltd, Kenya

Ramco Printing Works Ltd, Kenya

Sagitario S.R.L., Bolivia

Tlačiarne BB, s.r.o., Slovakia

Impap SA de CV, Mexico

Sole 24 Ore, Italy

Strålfors, Sweden

Nationalbank, Denmark

Lightning Source, Australia

Offset Alpine Printing, Australia

IMPROVE PRINT PRODUCTIVITY WITHOPTIMUM HUMIDITYIn the extremely competitive print market, humidity control is essential to maintain productivity at all stages of production and avoid machine downtime and waste.

PaperPaper loses moisture rapidly whenexposed to dry air. Sheet and web rollpaper is typically produced andwrapped to stay in equilibrium with airat a humidity of 50±5%RH. When theambient humidity falls below this level,paper loses water to the environmentfrom exposed surfaces, changing itsshape, dimensions and physicalproperties.

Below 40%RH, the movement of paperon paper and other surfaces generateselectrostatic charges, which cause it tostick together, attract dust and becomedifficult to handle.

PlatemakingWhen the protective film is removedfrom plates, electrostatic charge isgenerated. This can attract dust andgrit to an otherwise unblemishedsurface, makes handling difficult andalso generates sparks. Maintaining anenvironment of 45%RH prevents theseproblems.

Sheet fed offsetUnwrapped paper in a dry press hallwill lose moisture from any exposedsurface. Tight edges result, making thepaper curl, causing misfeed,misregister, dot doubling and creasingas the paper passes between blanketand impression cylinders. Misfeed alsooccurs due to electrostatic build-up,making stacking difficult. Printed workawaiting another pass continues tochange shape, resulting in misregister.

During finishing, paper that has lowmoisture content will crack along foldsresulting in a lesser quality product orincreased wastage.

Maintaining a relative humidity of 50-55%RH in the press hall and binderyresolves these issues.

Web printingIf air is too dry in the paper store,laydown area and reel stand, theexposed edges of the paper rolls losemoisture and shrink. On the web press,the distorted paper is then undergreater tension at its edges than thecentre, causing tears. These web breaksmean substantial downtime as thepaper is spliced or rethreaded throughthe press.

In a dry press hall, the rapid passage ofpaper through the press generateselectrostatic charge. This results inproblems with stacking, cutting,trimming and folding, due to sticking.

Web printing is highly productive andany loss of production is costly, butproblems relating to dry air can beaddressed by maintaining the relativehumidity at 50-55%RH. In flexo, withwater-based inks, 55-60% is required.

Digital printingThe problems experienced elsewhere inprinting apply equally to digital butelectrostatic problems associated withmachinery can be a particular issue. Tocounter this, a relative humidity of 50-55%RH is recommended.

ASK FOR A FREE EXPERT CONSULTATION

Condair has a comprehensive range ofhumidification products to suit anyprinting facility. From wall-mountedsteam units for a small digital printroom to extensive spray systems forthe largest of press halls.

Condair also offers a wide range ofassociated products such as watertreatment systems, air compressors,pumps and humidity monitors.

SOLUTIONS FOR THE PRINTING INDUSTRY

JetSpray compressed air & water humidifier ML Princess high pressure humidifier

Draabe TurboFogNeo high pressure humidifier Condair EL steam humidifier

12/2018

Condair plcArtex Avenue, Rustington, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN16 3LN, UKTel: +44 (0)1903 850200 - uk.sales@condair.com - www.condair.co.uk