Viscometer Ensures Inkjet Printing Performance

Viscosity and temperature are critically important in inkjet printing and A2N of Somerset, Wisconsin (USA) turned to the Hydramotion Viscolite portable viscometer for measuring ink viscosity.

Viscosity and temperature are critically important in the inkjet printing process and A2N of Somerset, Wisconsin (USA) turned to the Hydramotion Viscolite portable viscometer with integrated temperature correction for measuring ink viscosity.

"The size of the Viscolite made it ideal for field service," commented Allen G Cork, owner of A2N.

"The equipment we had before was heavy and awkward." A2N supplies high-speed coding markers and inkjet printers for labelling, mailing and imaging, provides a round-the-clock repair service for the printing equipment used in the coding and marking industry and undertakes related engineering and design work.

The company needs to control the viscosity of MEK, acetone and ethanol printing inks for the inkjet printers the company sells or services.

With such volatile fluids and a working temperature of around 29 degrees C, viscosities are low.

Moreover, the required measurement range is narrow - from 2.5 to just 6.0 centipoise (cP).

For the company's engineers, who needed an easy-to-use instrument that could cope with such conditions whilst offering long-term accuracy and reliability in the field, the Hydramotion Viscolite provided an immediate solution, said the company.

Said to be fully portable and ready for use straight out of the box, the Viscolite can detect a viscosity difference of as little as 0.1 cP with repeatability even at low viscosities.

For A2N, that level of sensitivity is essential given the tight measurement requirements.

With no field calibration required and no delicate accessories to fit, the Viscolite itself is simple to operate, claimed Hydramotion.

Measured viscosity is displayed on the read-out unit as soon as the probe is dipped into the ink and the probe is just wiped clean after use.

The benefit to A2N, Inc, has been immediate, as field engineers are now equipped with a viscosity measurement tool that is accurate and convenient.

Allen Cork added: "We've eliminated potential guesswork by introducing an easily transportable method of testing viscosity in the field.".

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