IMPORTANT ASPECTs OF VISCOSITY IN GRAVURE PRINTING PROCESS

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MAKARAND DOLE T.E. PRINTING

FEATURING

Understanding Liquids Understanding Viscosity Comparing Viscosities Automation in Viscosity measurement Effect in Gravure Printing Factors influencing Viscosity Control Conclusion

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Understanding liquids
Newtonian Liquids: The liquid will flow even the small force will be applied

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UNDERSTANDING VISCOSITY

Father of Viscosity: Sir Isaac Newton In simple words it is Resistance to flow Plays a major part in determining how ink, varnishes, adhesives and other fluids behave in printing and subsequent processes Flow of liquid affects its distribution on machine As well as rate of penetration and evaporation
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Experiment of SIR ISAAC Newton

The speed and shear rate were obtained from his test apparatus.

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Viscosity formula

This constant is known as the Viscosity of the liquid and its units are Ns/m2 (formerly Poise, p, where 1N/m2 = 10 p)

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VISCOSITY OF GRAVURE INKS: Through the physical necessity, the viscosity of the gravure ink is low, e.g. 15-25 secs Zahn 2(18-56 centipoises) under normal conditions This enables the ink to flow quickly and uniformly into the cells as well as out of the cells during contact with substrate For the critical works the narrow range of the viscosities will give the desired result
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THE CORRECT VISCOSITY OF THE GRAVURE INK IS GOVERNED BY : The cell The range of the depth of cells The speed of the press The evaporation rate of the solvents The distance between the Doctor blade and the point of the impression And to the affinity and the absorbency of the substrate for the ink
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COMPARING VISCOSITIES

Capillary Viscometers Falling Sphere Viscometers Rotational Viscometers Cone and Plate Viscometer Flow cups

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CAPILARY Viscometers

Used for low Viscosity fluids

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Falling sphere viscometers

Used for unpigmented vehicles Also for Adhesives Can be used in Newtonian as well as non Newtonian liquids Particularly useful for letterpress and litho inks May be used for non Newtonian liquids

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Rotational viscometers

Two cylinders- Outer and Inner Outer exerts a drag on inner Deflection of the scale is proportional to the drag, which is depend upon the Viscosity

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Cone and plate viscometers

The plate is stationary and the cone rotates The torque required for rotate the cone is measured

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Flow cups

Simple and basic procedure to measure the viscosity Used for low viscosity fluids

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AUTOMATION IN VISCOSITY MEASUREMENT

Viscosity Sensor Types: Rotation Deep Sensor Inline Sensor Inline Falling Body Sensor

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EFFECT IN GRAVURE PRINTING

With increasing Viscosity, Drying speed also increases At higher viscosity, ink do not transfer completely out of the cell because drying is too fast Reduced Viscosity will allow more ink to transfer resulting higher ink density The ink density reduces after reaching a saturation point

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Factors influencing viscosity control

Ink Consistency Temperature Color Consistency

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conclusion

The handling of viscosity has a direct influence on final print results and quality Quality production is the driving factor in selecting any viscosity or temperature control device Viscosity increases with increasing temperature Continuous monitoring by electronic viscosity controllers control solvent additions
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