Applications

Modern printing presses move at astounding speeds, while maintaining the ability to generate precision reprographics. Often, these fast-moving sheets or webs generate an electrostatic charge, which awaits its first chance to discharge through some sort of conductor – most often a press worker. These static charges also interfere with sheet-fed presses, causing multiple sheets to be picked up, or irregular stacking at the delivery end. Static electricity can cause many problems and always has an impact on productivity.

The Application

One of the ways we’ve been able to eliminate such static electricity issues is through the proper application of Simco-Ion industrial air ionizers. For example, by attaching an R55 ionizing nozzle and blowing ionized compressed air directly at a stack of sheets, we were able to counteract the effects of the static charge, allowing the sheets to release one at a time. At the other end of the press (the point of delivery), the installation of an R50 Blue Bar ionizer neutralizes the static charge on the sheets, allowing them to lay down and stack evenly.

In many such situations, where fast-moving sheets or webs produce an electrostatic charge, the proper product configuration and installation can eliminate the problem. There’s always a degree of customization and ingenuity needed to bring their full benefit to bear in a client’s specific environment.