SEPIAX Ink Technology GmbH has announced the latest refinement of the Aquares resin ink technology - Generation 3. During the last 2 years SEPIAX has gained a lot of experience in the field of semi-industrial print applications. “This market segment actually shows the biggest response to our outstanding ink technology,” says Karl Ebner, marketing & sales director. “In fact, this is not really surprising to us since industrial manufacturers nowadays still struggle to find appropriate inkjet-printing solutions for their print jobs. In many cases SEPIAX inks are the only ones which adhere even on very special surfaces. They even survive tough production conditions e.g. high temperatures up to 280 °C or high pressure during production.”
“A lot of feedback for this latest ink improvement came from the industrial segment,” adds Franz Aigner, CEO at SEPIAX with responsibility for the company’s product development. “In addition SEPIAX can be seen as the inventor of water-based resin inks for piezo printheads. We now have more than 5 years of experience with this new ink technology. Of course, our leading position helps to develop this technology to the next level while others are now starting to launch their 1st product generations.”
The new Aquares V3 formulation is backwards compatible and can be mixed with the V2 ink without any problems. Furthermore, customers now can print at even lower temperatures than they did before with the SEPIAX Aquares version 2. The average drying temperature for plastic films is now below 50°C.
One main requirement especially from industrial customers for the new SEPIAX Aquares V3 was to improve reliability on long print runs while prolonging cleaning intervals at the same time. In the past, improper handling and excessively high heater temperatures caused some problems.
“The users of our ink have now realised that they don’t need to switch heaters up to the highest level possible. It is simply in the nature of this ink technology that, over time, the resins in the ink will form a dry ink layer on the nozzle plate if you work with temperatures over 60 °C and more in the area of the sensitive print-heads. Our ink specialists have succeeded in developing a new “self-cleaning mechanism” which is integrated in the ink. This development represents a milestone in terms of printing reliability and is already protected with patent rights.”, explains Franz Aigner.
”The results of this 'self-cleaning mechanism' technology are really impressive!“ Ebner adds, excitedly. “During the intensive one-year beta-testing phase we haven’t had one single problem in terms of print-head clogging. This new aquares 3.0 is even capable to clean itself after too “hot” printing conditions via a standard cleaning procedure. The new improved 3.0 formula also shows further improved abrasion, water and alcohol resistance as well as less sensitivity to well known and ink-challenging printer “specialties” like Y-tubing connectors or sub-tanks."
The SEPIAX Aquares ink technology is today the most advanced water-based ink and still one of the rare inks capable of printing onto virtually every surface without the need of special primers or coatings, including many difficult materials like hydrophobic glass without priming, acrylics, polycarbonate, wood, metal, textile (including natural fabrics). SEPIAX customers nowadays print on such diverse items as: Skis, flooring, signage, safety glass, food packaging, cork decoration, mobile phone glass & film positives for offset, etc. The wider capabilities of the 3rd generation of SEPIAX Aquares inks will undoubtedly hasten the changeover to this exciting new ink technology.
SEPIAX will be at the EcoPrint show 26/27th September presenting the Aquares 3.0 ink for semi-industrial and signage customers and introducing other surprising new products for OEM partners.
Ebner says, "The EcoPrint show is a perfect platform for our company since we have been one of the first ones in this business defining 'ecology & green chemistry' as our company's principles. The latest market developments prove that moving away from harmful solvents and reducing power consumption are major steps for the graphics industry. Together with the theme of this show it confirms the direction SEPIAX had already chosen years ago."
"We are in the satisfying position that SEPIAX Aquares inks contain no SVHC (substance of high concern) or HAPs (hazardous air pollutants) as defined by the new GHS (globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals) which is now implemented by the United Nations.”, adds Ebner.
All other components in the SEPIAX Aquares V3 ink are harmless to humans and the environment. In practice, this leads to the unique situation that SEPIAX is able to provide a virtually 'empty' MSDS without any hazard classification. It is already well known that SEPIAX inks are non-flammable, they have no odor and are free of ozone-depleting chemicals and aromatic hydrocarbon solvents.
This leadership position in creating green ink formulas makes it natural for SEPIAX to take part into the EcoPrint show.