Industrial Markets Graphic Arts> Selection Guide for Digital Printing Systems

Selection Guide for Digital Printing Systems

Filtration Solutions for
Optimal Ink Jet Performance

Pall has designed specific filtration technologies for digital printing systems with performance and output quality in mind.

The use of digital printing systems that employ ink jet technology has increased significantly in recent years. With the growing reliance on digital printers, performance and printhead longevity have become paramount. A good printer performs dependably, produces quality output, and requires minimal maintenance — all of which are achievable when proper filtration is selected.

Choosing the right filtration for your system can be difficult. That’s where we can help. Pall scientists, technical specialists, and sales staff are highly knowledgeable about the inks, chemistries, applications, and cleanliness required for digital printing. Our team works with yours to select filtration that ensures efficient system performance and excellent results.

Download this content in a brochure format (PDF)

Considerations When Selecting Filtration

Filtration is essential to ink jet printing and is key in the design of fluid delivery systems. This guide contains the necessary information to select optimal filtration technology and products. Use it as a resource during system development to ensure optimal printer performance down the road.

Effective Dual-Filter Strategy

Although most ink jet inks are filtered well during formulation, filtration on-board a digital printer is necessary to capture any degradation byproducts, environmental contaminants, and residual printer component debris. The objective is to achieve optimal speed and quality of printer output over the long term.

Filtration on-board a printer is most effective when two filters are used: a bulk filter followed by a last chance filter. The bulk filter has the capacity for high flow and retaining contaminants, and is commonly a self-contained, disposable capsule filter. The last chance filter is positioned very close to the ink jet printhead for point-ofuse filtration. Its purpose is to protect the printhead from contamination by debris, which can cause catastrophic failure.

Role of filter types on board an ink jet printer

Filter Requirements

When evaluating a filter, consider these basic requirements.

Flow rate. Higher flow rates necessitate larger effective filter areas (EFA).
Long service life. A service life of at least three months is necessary. The high dirt-holding capacity of depth and pleated-depth filters extends service life, making them the best choices for filtering digital inks.
Long-term chemical compatibility. The filter should be able to withstand exposure to the ink chemistry over time; media and capsule compatibility pressure boundary should remain intact.
Pressure, temperature, and maximum exposure time. A filter capsule is a pressure vessel. It is important to take this into account when considering requirements for pressure, temperature, and maximum exposure time. Pressure and temperature, including any hydraulic or thermal cycling, must be well understood in order to select a filter capsule that is reliable and safe under the specified operating conditions.
Serviceability. The type and orientation of the connections should facilitate quick filter changes with minimal mess.

Media Characteristics

To select the appropriate media, check for the following features.

Beta-rated. Beta-rated media provide higher removal efficiency and perform more consistently than nominally rated media. They have repeatable performance, which is ensured during manufacturing.
Depth structure. Depth media and pleated-depth hybrid media generally have the most effective combination of cost savings, extended service life, and removal efficiency.
Fixed-pore media. The media should be verified as nonshedding. Media migration can be catastrophic for an ink jet printhead.
Gel retention. The media must be able to capture and retain gelatinous contaminants. This is a mandatory capability when using UV curable inks. Depth and hybrid media are preferred to ensure gel retention.
High flow capacity. The ability of the filter media to handle high flow conditions is critical, especially in the case of solvent purge and high-speed printing.
Low pressure loss. In the LCF application, low pressure loss is critical to prevent ink starvation and ensure proper printhead operation.
Particle morphology. The morphology of various dispersion or colorant particles of similar chemistries is not necessarily the same. The media should be tested and evaluated for its long-term efficiency and service life with each dispersion or colorant type.

Relationship of Dispersion Profile to Filter Transmittance

The relationship of the ink dispersion profile to the filter transmittance is important in media selection. Filter media that is too coarse or that has an efficiency range that is too broad should not be used.

The graphs to the right illustrate the relationship of the dispersion profile and the filter transmittance for the following three conditions: