50 November / December 2024 - Issue 351 for operators and equipment, the system improves working conditions and reduces the risk of equipment malfunctions,” Finkel adds. Staying Efficient Another specialist provider in this market is Condair. Dave Marshall-George, UK and Ireland sales director at Condair, says In order to achieve maximum return on investment in a humidification system, PSPs need to consider the operating costs and the ongoing support available from the supplier. “Beyond the capital cost of a humidifier and its installation, the system will need energy to run and occasional expert servicing to remain efficient,” Marshall-George says, continuing: “So, decisions on which humidifier to install should factor-in efficiency of energy and water-consumption, necessary consumable parts, and available maintenance support. “There are many types of humidifiers, including steam, spray, evaporative, and ultrasonic. The most appropriate solution will depend on the project’s requirements, but getting advice from a supplier with a comprehensive range removes the possibility of any technology bias. Hygienic operation must be top of the checklist, with built-in features to ensure water cannot remain in the humidifier or pipework during downtime. Ease-of-use is also important, as is the ability for routine service tasks to be carried out in-house, to minimise service costs.” As we approach the colder winter months, Marshall-George reminds print companies that without proactively adding moisture to the indoor air, the relative humidity in a print hall will drop below 40%RH. At this level, paper will lose moisture from any exposed surface, resulting in dimensional changes. This can mean it will not run through a machine correctly, web breaks can occur from tight edges on a reel, or cracks can occur along folded edges. In addition, static electricity will build-up at lower humidity levels, possibly causing issues with paper not behaving properly, leading to machine downtime and even printhead damage. “Without humidity control, printers may experience equipment malfunctions beyond product quality,” Finkel explains, continuing: “Dry environments can lead to increased dust buildup, which affects machine performance and can cause frequent breakdowns. Maintaining consistent humidity levels ensures better product quality, printing equipment, and reduced downtime.” With this, Finkel draws attention to solutions available from Dristeem, primarily its Adiatec high-pressure system. This system provides high-capacity humidification across multiple zones with a single pump station, while its evaporative cooling effect helps offset the building’s cooling load. “The Adiatec system is designed for energy efficiency, using significantly less energy than traditional humidification methods by atomising water at high pressure into a fine mist, resulting in lower operating costs, which is critical for continuously operating print shops,” Finkel says. In addition to precise humidity control, the Adiatec system offers dual functionality by cooling the air as it humidifies. This, Finkel says, is especially beneficial in print shops where heat from equipment can raise temperatures and impact the printing process. “By creating a more stable environment www.printmonthly.co.uk Without humidity control, printers may experience equipment malfunctions beyond product quality ◄ Dristeem says maintaining optimal humidity levels is crucial to ensure high-quality output and operational efficiency ▼ According to Dristeem, a good system should provide precise humidity control, stability, scalability, energy efficiency, reliability, and ease of maintenance HUMIDIFICATION SOLUTIONS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjM0NDIxOA==