Harris & Bruno Accessories for Presses Introduction: Harris & Bruno has specifically designed this high-performance ancillary equipment line to complement the Mitsubishi inline press. This equipment will enhance the performance of the press and increase productivity of the coating and inking processes. The following descriptions will assist in determining the best combination of components to meet the customer s expectations.
LithoCoat Chamber/Anilox System Chamber/anilox coating systems have become recognized as the accepted method of applying virtually all of the desirable aqueous and UV coatings demanded in today s competitive marketplace. The Harris & Bruno LithoCoat System is the leading worldwide supplier of these systems to both the OEM press manufacturer s as well as the retrofit market. Models made specifically for all Mitsubishi presses bolt directly into the coater tower and no modifications to the press are required. Description of Major Components Chambered Doctor Blade System The patented H&B chamber is the device that supplies and meters coating to the engraved surface of the anilox roll. This unit is mounted into position and travels with the anilox roll as it goes on and off impression with the blanket cylinder. Reverse angle doctor blades meter the surface of the roll leaving only the coating inside the confines of the anilox cells. This coating is transferred to the blanket roll and then onto the sheet.
The Anilox Roll The core of the anilox roll is made of aluminum and fitted with steel journals. This offers a lightweight roll with excellent strength characteristics. Ceramic coating is applied onto the surface and then laser engraved to the exact specification. For certain special coating applications it may be desirable to remove the anilox roll and replace it with one having a different engraving. On most presses this changeover only takes a few minutes. H&B has the in-house technical staff to help select the proper engraving specifications for most applications seen in the industry today. Coating Circulator Options LC2 (Aqueous Only Fully Automated) This fully-automated, PLC-controlled circulator is integrated into the H&B LithoCoat Chamber/Anilox system and is designed specifically for use with various aqueous coatings. Automated coating and wash cycles allow for a simple touch screen operator interface. The control panel can be mounted remotely depending on the application. A heated wash water tank aids in the cleaning cycle. All of Harris & Bruno s new PLC circulators incorporate the revolutionary breakthrough of H&B Smart Pumps and IVL (Intelligent Viscosity Logic) technology. This enables the circulator, through the use of continuous feedback loops, to automatically adjust its own timers for coating and wash cycles.
LC2 with LC1A (Aqueous & UV - Fully Automated) This circulator is designed for the printer that routinely changes between UV and aqueous coatings and wants to keep the coating chemistries completely separate while maintaining a high degree of automation. The LC1A is positioned underneath an LC2 (described above) and is a direct plug and play into the circulator s PLC control. This set up provides a separate set of pumps and hoses for both the UV and water base coatings. The operator switches these line connections on the chamber body to coincide with the chemistry being run. Completely independent circuits eliminate any cross contamination concerns. LC4 (UV Only - Fully Automated) This fully automated, PLC-controlled circulator is designed specifically for use with various UV coatings. Automated coating and wash cycles allow for a simple touch screen operator interface. The control panel can be mounted remotely depending on the application. The LC4 incorporates Harris & Bruno s innovative Intelligent Viscosity Logic (IVL) and Smart Pump technology, delivering automatic adjustments for viscosity variations and dependable longevity.
Smart Pump with IVL (Intelligent Viscosity Logic) (Standard on all H&B LC series circulators) The heart of the new Harris & Bruno Intelligent Viscosity Logic (IVL) Circulators is the unique type of pumps that are incorporated into the design. Exclusive to H&B the revolutionary Smart Pump enables the circulator to adjust itself, through the use of continuous feedback loops, for coating viscosity variations, run speeds changes, and associated wash and purge cycles. The longevity of this pump has already proven to be far superior. The solenoid controlled triggering of the pumps along with special porting and internal components all specifically designed to handle coating chemistries seen today will clearly make this proprietary fluid handling technology the next generation of coating tower automation. Additional Circulator Options Inline Heater The Inline Heater unit is designed to install directly into the coating supply line between the LithoCoat circulator and the chamber. The temperature of the coating can be set on the PLC touch screen through the optional control interface, and maintained within + or 2 degrees F by an infrared sensor located at the anilox surface. The heater fits under the press walkway and washes up with the circulator. The use of this heater can improve coating gloss levels, coating release characteristics, job repeatability and process control.
Duo Mixer The Duo Mixer is an advanced mixing and antifoaming device that works by introducing a large air bubble into the bottom of a tank. As the bubble rises, it mixes the liquid and helps to dissipate foam. This significantly reduces foam & micro foam in inks and coating. Applicable for all tank sizes, the pneumatic agitation requires no electricity. A welcomed feature of this system is its easy start-up and handling. Specialty Coating Circulator (SCC) This system is specifically designed with peristaltic pumps to allow the handling of specialty coatings such as metallics, pearlescents, opaques, and other difficult-to-run materials. The unit will pump a wide range of viscosities and can be supplied with an optional chiller and mixing tank. It can function as a standalone system, fully integrated with the LithoCoat Chamber/Anilox System, or connected to the PLC controller of another H&B circulator for touch screen operation. The system incorporates a manual wash-up procedure to minimize coating waste. Jacketed Chilled Water Tank (optional on SCC) Some coatings require temperature control to maintain sustainability. For these materials, Harris & Bruno offers an optional dual walled (jacketed) SST coating container. Cold water, often tapped from existing press chiller system, is run through the jacketed tank helping to chill the coating to the desired level.
Additional Options Ink Agitator To assist in conditioning and stabilizing the ink in the fountain, the Harris & Bruno ink agitator design combines innovative technology with quality, reliability and simplicity. Since ink is selectively removed from the fountain depending on ink key settings for varying coverages, color variations can occur because of differences in ink metering volumes in the fountain. The constant rolling of the ink by the traversing dual agitator cones keeps the ink evenly distributed on the fountain roller and eliminates this problem. In addition, this action eliminates the tendency for UV and other specialty inks to back away from the ink fountain roller and assures ink film consistency throughout the run. Conventional ink skinning (dried ink) in the fountain is prevented thus minimizing ink train hickies. The system swivels away from the fountain and the agitator cones are easily removed for cleaning and color change.