Determining the compatibility of the pump with the type of ink is crucial to guaranteeing the final product’s quality and the printer’s longevity. For example, UV curable inks and coatings have a unique chemistry and composition, requiring unique handling and pumping needs. To ensure that the pump of your choice is fully compatible with ink, undertake the following steps:
① Examine the nature of the fluid in terms of type and concentration, temperature, gravity, viscosity, and solids content.
② Determine if the fluid characteristics of the pumped ink are chemically compatible with the materials the pump is constructed of.
③ Determine and evaluate the conditions of operation for the application, including:
Flow Rate: Calculated in gallons per minute or in liters per minute.
Head Pressure: Calculated in feet, PSI, or Bar and measured at the head of the pump, it determines how far and high the ink can be pumped.
Self-priming: In self-priming, you have to determine how many meters (feet) or centimeters (inches) there are from the fluid level to the pump.
Duty cycle: Determine the amount of time the pump is used during an average production day and week.
④ Select a pump size for the flow rate and pressure.