Impact of Water-based Ink Caking in the Ink Trough

Water-based ink caking in the ink trough can affect the printing process and quality in several ways.

1. Impact on Printing Quality
2. Uneven Ink Transfer: Caked ink doesn't flow or transfer well in the ink trough, leading to uneven distribution on the printed material. This can cause uneven color, blurry patterns, and text.
3. Clogging of Anilox Rolls and Printing Plates: Caked ink can block the cells of anilox rolls and printing plates, hindering ink transfer and affecting the fineness and clarity of prints. It may lead to missing prints,糊版, and other printing issues.
4. Reduced Adhesion: The structural changes in caked ink can weaken its adhesion to the substrate, making the ink layer on the print surface more prone to peeling and fading.

1. Impact on Printing Efficiency
2. Increased Downtime for Cleaning and Maintenance: Caked ink increases the difficulty and time required to clean the ink trough, pipes, and printing equipment, reducing production efficiency.
3. Ink Waste: Caked ink can't be used effectively, leading to waste and higher production costs.

1. Preventive and Solution Measures
2. Proper Ink Storage: Store water-based ink in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations. Check the ink's expiration date before use and avoid using expired ink.
3. Regular Ink Trough Cleaning: Clean the ink trough regularly to prevent ink from drying and caking.
4. Control Printing Environment: Maintain suitable temperature and humidity in the printing area to minimize the risk of ink caking.
5. Use Suitable Diluents and Additives: Adjust the ink's viscosity with diluents or thickeners as needed. Add anti-caking agents to improve ink flow and reduce caking.
6. Stir Ink Regularly: Stir the ink in the trough periodically during printing to prevent pigment settling and caking.

1. Dealing with Caked Ink
2. Heating to Dissolve: Place caked ink in a metal container, add a small amount of water, and gently heat it until the ink dissolves completely.
3. Filtering Ink: Filter caked ink to remove impurities and caked particles, ensuring ink purity.