Coupling reduces ink spillages

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jan 27, 2006

Black bulk ink system uses no-spill, quick disconnect coupling for high-volume print runs in industrial packaging.

Hewlett-Packard's Specialty Printing Systems (SPS) division helps companies integrate its thermal inkjet technology and products into their printing systems.

When SPS was developing its Versatile Black Bulk Ink System, a robust and flexible bulk ink delivery system for high-volume print runs used in industrial packaging, it turned to Colder Products for its quick disconnect connection.

Colder designs and makes plastic quick disconnect couplings for flexible tubing.

The couplings ensure easy, safe, and secure connecting and disconnecting for fluid handling systems, particularly in printing.

HP selected the NS4 non-spill coupling.

"We suggested using a coupler with a non-spill shut-off valve," said Andy Hass, Industrial Business Unit Manager at Colder.

"This augmented the product design by helping avoid messy ink spillage when the coupler is disconnected".

The Versatile Black Bulk Ink System is for companies that execute large print runs and have a need for a high-volume ink delivery system.

The system lets design engineers configure almost any combination of HP Q2320A print heads and Q2321A bulk ink supplies to achieve the desired print capability.

The Q2320A print head also produces high-quality, water-fast and crisp output with a 236dot/cm resolution from 300 nozzles.

The system uses black pigmented aqueous ink in large volume ink supplies (350cm3) that can print on a wide range of substrates, including kraft, corrugated and clay coated.

The industrial bulk ink delivery system is widely used for mail addressing, mail postage, carton coding, barcode printers and industrial applications that require long production runs, low cost per imprint and reliable, user friendly printing systems.

The mechanical connections between the regulator assembly and the print heads are essential parts of the ink delivery system.

Connections that are not secure or spill-proof can lead to messy ink spills when disconnected and require increased operator involvement.

The result can be costly job downtime.

The SPS design team approached Colder to develop customised couplings for the system that would reduce connection concerns and improve the serviceability of the print heads and ink supply system.

A bulk ink supply can be connected to one or several print cartridges.

A fluid regulator system lets the ink supply be located virtually anywhere convenient for the printing system, and still maintain reliable and controlled ink delivery to the print cartridges.

The modular ink supply station is linked through flexible tubing to the enclosed regulator assembly, which maintains pressure and ink flow.

Flexible tubes again connect the enclosed regulator assembly to the individual print-head stalls holding the print heads.

The tubing between the enclosed regulator assembly and the print heads can be easily connected and disconnected thanks to the Colder coupling.

The NS4 has a non-spill shut-off valve for use in ink handling applications.

As well as reducing spills, the valve also automatically reduces air inclusion or trapped air that may lead to print quality problems and expensive system delays and maintenance.

"One feature that makes our couplings unique is an easy-to-use thumb latch to allow for secure, single-handed operation," said Hass.

"An audible click confirms that a secure connection is made and assures a secure seal".

No tools are required to connect or disconnect the tubing and special training is not necessary for regular operation of the thermal inkjet system.