In sheet fed presses, paper sheets with static will not easily separate in the pile feeder. Press operators experience misfeeds causing paper jams in the feeder. To eliminate this static, an Ionix is installed in the pressure or blast air line going from the feeder pump to the feeder. The Ionix can be installed at any point in the main air line going to the feeder. However, install Ionix before any lines branch off from the main blast air line since all air going to the feeder needs to be treated by going through the Ionix.
Explanation of Ionix Static Eliminators in sheet feeders
How static effects paper sheet separation and in turn feeding.
Static on the surfaces of paper causes the sheets to be electrically (not magnetically) attracted. The sheets are attracted because there are opposing charges on each sheet. One sheet has a positive charge and the facing side has a negative charge.
Opposing static charges will neutralize each other is they are allowed to come in electrical contact with each other. However, in the paper stack the in feeder, while to the naked eye it appears the sheets are touching, in reality there is a thin layer of air insulating the sheets preventing the opposing charges from conducting to one another.
How Ionix operates to dissipate the static charges in sheets in a feeder.
When installed in the main feeder blast/pressure air line, the feeder pump forces air through Ionix. Air enters the Ionix acting like an electrical insulator and exits our unit acting like an electrical conductor (like copper wire).
When the feeder blows into the feeder, the air that was originally in the paper pile acting as electrical insulator is blown out and replaced with Ionix air acting as an electrical conductor. The charges on the interior paper surfaces that were before electrically isolated from each other by the air are now able to conduct through the Ionix electrically conductive air. The opposing charges on the paper surfaces conduct to each other through the Ionix air and ground each other out.
Why Ionix is superior to electronic ionizers in sheet feeders.
Electronic ionizers create a stream of charged air molecules. It produces a rapid succession of a pulse of negatively charged air and then a pulse of positively charged air. That air is directed into the paper stack.
When a blast of charged air meets an opposing charge, the ionized air and paper static charges neutralize each other. At that point, the air has no more ability to neutralize a charge because it’s charge was used to eliminate a charge. The ionized air is consumed in the process of eliminating the static.
Also, since opposing charges are attracted to one another and will neutralize each other, an ionization air stream will neutralize ITSELF within about 6-12” inches. Therefore, the effective range for ionization is only about 2” into a stack of paper before it recombines on itself
Ionix has neither of these drawbacks. Since Ionix makes the air electrically conductive, it is not consumed in the process of neutralizing static. Ionix treated air is as effective at the rear of the sheet as it is in the front. The only thing that diminishes the performance of the Ionix treated air is when the ambient air mixes in with the treated Ionix air. Secondly, Ionix does not ionize the air, it does not neutralize itself like an ionizer. There is no recombinant effect.
When the compressor air goes through the Ionix, the feeder mechanism blows out the air between the paper sheets which is acting like an electrical insulator and replaces it with Ionix air that acts like an electrical conductor which discharges the static on the interior surfaces of the paper. This eliminates the static attraction within the paper in the feeder.
Ionix for presses are sized based upon 1. the maximum sheet size of the press and 2. the inside diameter of the main blower air hose. Therefore, in order to install Ionix on a sheet feeding press you must have this information.
Sizing Ionix for sheet fed presses, diecutters and other sheet feeding machines
For presses up to 22" (550MM) x 36" (850MM)
for 1/2" (10MM) inside diameter feeder air hose: Ionix Model 200-2
for 3/4" (20MM) inside diameter feeder air hose: Ionix Model 200-3
for 1" (25MM) inside diameter feeder air hose: Ionix Model 200-4
for 1 1/4" (30MM) inside diameter feeder air hose: Ionix Model 200-5
for 1 1/2" (40MM) inside diameter feeder air hose: Ionix Model 400-6
for 1 3/4" (45MM) inside diameter feeder air hose: Ionix Model 400-7
for 2" (50MM) inside diameter feeder air hose: Ionix Model 400-8
For presses over 22" (550MM) up to 26" (650MM) and over 36" (850MM) up to 40" (1000MM)
for 1/2" (10MM) inside diameter feeder air hose: Ionix Model 300-2
for 3/4" (20MM) inside diameter feeder air hose: Ionix Model 300-3
for 1" (25MM) inside diameter feeder air hose: Ionix Model 300-4
for 1 1/4" (30MM) inside diameter feeder air hose: Ionix Model 300-5
for 1 1/2" (40MM) inside diameter feeder air hose: Ionix Model 400-6
for 1 3/4" (45MM) inside diameter feeder air hose: Ionix Model 400-7
for 2" (50MM) inside diameter feeder air hose: Ionix Model 400-8
For sheet fed presses feeding plastic or synthetic sheets, install TWO of the appropriate size Ionix for your press in series (one Ionix after another separated by a short section of hose).
For presses other than sheet fed presses, sheeters or sheet fed presses greater than 26" x 40", please contact Ionix at info@ionixtechnologies.com for sizing.
Very few presses have an issue with static causing delivery problems in a sheet fed press. However, since there is no air handling system in the delivery of sheet fed presses, Ionix cannot be used to eliminate static delivery problems in sheet fed presses if it occurs.
Remember that static eliminators are only effective in eliminating static at the point they are installed. Static eliminators are not static preventors. If you do have static in your delivery, installing a static eliminator in your feeder will not solve the static problem in the delivery. Contact Ionix if you are having difficulties with static in press deliveries and we will attempt to help you solve the problem.
Ionix installation in spray powder systems results in less powder usage and more even spreading of powder.
Since offset powder is an electrical insulator, when the air pump blows into the offset spray powder, static is generated on the powder by the friction of the moving powder . The static charge on the powder causes the powder to stick together. Therefore, you get excessive powder usage and uneven powder application.
When you install an Ionix in the air line going from the pump to the spray powder unit, the offset spray powder system is static free. The Ionix treated air which enters the spray powder system eliminates any static present in the powder and prevents its buildup. Less powder is needed since the powder lays down thinner and broader. You will also have less powder buildup on your presses.
Install the Ionix in the pressure air hose going from the compressor to the spray powder unit.
For spray powder units in presses up to 22" (550MM) x 36" (850MM)
for 1/2" (10MM) inside diameter spray powder air hose: Ionix Model 200-2
for 3/4" (20MM) inside diameter spray powder air hose: Ionix Model 200-3
for 1" (25MM) inside diameter spray powder air hose: Ionix Model 200-4
For spray powder units in presses over 22" (550MM) up to 26" (650MM) and over 36" (850MM) up to 40" (1000MM)
for 1/2" (10MM) inside diameter spray powder air hose: Ionix Model 300-2
for 3/4" (20MM) inside diameter spray powder air hose: Ionix Model 300-3
for 1" (25MM) inside diameter spray powder air hose: Ionix Model 300-4
Sometimes press operators will experience paper that will separate and feed but the sheets will not uniformly feed down the feeder board. Either sheets will not jog to the head stops or will not be pulled by the side guide. This particular static problem is caused by the friction of the feeder tapes moving over the surface of the feeder board. The feeder tapes have a static charge on them which attracts the paper to it while going down the feeder board.
To eliminate feeder board static, Ionix air must be blown between the bottom of the paper going down the feeder board and the top of the feeder board. Since virtually all machines do not have air delivery to these point, it is necessary to fabricate an air delivery system for each particular machine. Please contact Ionix and we will help you install an appropriate air delivery system for your machine.
Generally most static issues in web presses occur in the forming cone or at the sheeter cutoff. Ionix has been successfully used in web presses. Please contact Ionix for more details.
Call Ionix at 800-246-1784 to order using a credit card or go to www.TheIonixStore.com
Downloadable instructions for Ionix Graphic Arts models (pdf - requires free Adobe Reader)
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