Infrared Solutions for Printing Presses
Our infrared drying systems for printing presses are highly flexible and can be used for packaging printing, decorative printing, label printing, digital printing, gravure printing or flexo printing.
More efficiency for your printing process
Producing new, high-quality printed materials requires ever more powerful machines and makes production processes more complex. This results in more residual solvents, reduced machine speeds or longer drying times. When existing drying solutions reach their limits, our infrared systems are the solution for your printing process:
- Dry water-based and solvent-based inks in seconds
- Available in all working widths and various power options
- Can be used in EX areas
- No pre-heating and cooling times, no fire hazard
- Integration into existing machines thanks to high-energy technology
- Increase production speed
- Reduce production costs
- Reduction of solvent residues
Our infrared systems will be tailored to your printing process, materials or inks and can be used as an additional drying system or as a stand-alone solution. The result is a sustainable increase in the performance, quality and efficiency of your printing presses.
MICOR represents 45 years of market and technology experience. Our products are continuously refined and utilize our unique MICOR *NIR technology, which features instant on/off capability, eliminating the need for preheating or cooling times. Our products are ATEX certified and comply with EU regulations.
Drying and heating solutions for the printing industry
All of our infrared products are designed to fit your application in terms of power and size, and can be seamlessly integrated into existing systems.
Are you unsure which infrared solution is right for your application? Contact us! We offer free, no-obligation consultations.
Success stories from the printing industry
Drying optimization of a gravure printing machine for flexible packaging
Problem: The production speed of the Schiavi Concorde gravure printing machine (8 colors) is to be increased.
MICOR solution: In the existing drying hoods of the various printing units, some convection air nozzles were removed and MICOR *NIR cassettes with a power of 44 kW each were installed.
Result: In printing unit 8, the speed for processing topcoat on paper was increased from 120 m/min to 250 m/min by optimizing the drying process.
In addition, the speed for processing 2K white on printing unit 1 or laminating white (reverse printing) on printing unit 7 and printing unit 8 on foils was increased from 160 m/min to 200 m/min with a simultaneous reduction in residual solvent.
Drying optimization on a flexo printing machine for napkins
Problem: An OMET TV840 Combiprint flexo printing press only runs at a speed of 150 m/min when using water-based inks.
Result: By installing two MICOR *NIR cassettes, the printing speed was increased to 280 m/min with 250% ink coverage and 7% residual moisture.
Process test on a flexo printing press for flexible packaging
Problem: Due to the insufficient drying performance of the conventional hot-air dryer of an eight-color central-cylinder flexo printing press, the inks doubled and the constant, time-consuming cleaning of the flexo printing forms took up a lot of time.
MICOR solution: A MICOR *NIR cassette in EX version with a working width of 1050 mm and a total maximum power of 57 kW was installed for the tests.
Result: The printing speed was increased from 130 m/min to 180 m/min and the combination of hot air and IR radiation eliminated the need for constant cleaning of the flexo printing forms.
Improving product quality in digital packaging printing
Problem: Improved drying at a constant press speed (110 m/min.) should prevent ink smearing and produce a sharper print image.
Result: By using two MICOR *NIR modules with a drying width of 410 mm, the desired drying result was achieved without smearing of the ink, even at 130 m/min (the maximum speed of the digital printing press).
Drying water-based inks for label printing on a flexo printing press
Problem: Converting the press from UV to water-based coatings required the installation of a suitable drying system without reducing the press speed (currently 130 m/min).
Result: Using our MICOR *NIR modules, the full-surface water-based ink printing could be dried without additional air drying and the maximum possible production speed of the press of 150 m/min. could be achieved.
Is your application or problem not listed? Please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to show you other applications or simulate real production conditions on your own system as part of our MICOR Operational Test.
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