Green Solution for Heatset Presses


Increase line speed while reducing energy consumption with electrostatic tacking
(Windsor Locks, Conn.) - To offset high energy costs associated with driers in heatset web printing, the E-Tac chill roll tacking system from MKS, ION Industrial uses electrostatic charges to hold the web in intimate contact with the chill roll. In doing so, the boundary layer between the web and chill roll is eliminated. By improving web-to-roll contact, web temperature can be reduced by 59-68°F (15-20°C) depending upon the charging current and web speed.

This results in an immediate cost savings to the printer while also reducing the consumption of carbon-based fuels that cause green house emissions. The electrical energy consumed by an E-Tac system is minimal - less than 150 watts.

Electrostatic chill roll tacking also helps to optimize press speed while avoiding unwanted ink marks or streaks. The E-Tac system enables printers to run at higher speeds with more ink coverage than before. Vertis Inc., in Elk Grove, Ill., reported increasing press speeds from 44,000 IPH to 51,900 IPH using the E-Tac chill roll tacking system. This eighteen percent increase in line speed translated into a significant jump in printed output. Actual performance data and a demonstration video of the E-Tac Charging System can be seen online at www.mksinst.com/Croll

MKS Ion Systems has more than 20 years of experience in the design and manufacture of ionization products for the control of static charge in manufacturing processes. Having previously and primarily served high tech manufacturing, Ion Systems formed Ion Industrial to service the paper and film converting and plastics industries in 1997.

In 2005, Ion Industrial acquired Tantec Inc., a well-established manufacturer of electro-static products for the commercial printing and graphics arts, film and plastics industries. In 2006, Ion Industrial became a part of the Ionization Group of MKS Instruments. For additional information on Ion Industrial, please contact Mark Blitshteyn, vice president, at (860) 292-6847 or visit Ion's web site at www.mksinst.com/ion-industrial.

About MKS Instruments, Inc. MKS Instruments, Inc. is a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, control, power, monitor and analyze critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes to improve process
performance and productivity. Our products are derived from our core competencies in pressure measurement and control, materials delivery, gas composition analysis, electrostatic charge management, control and information technology, power and reactive gas generation, and vacuum technology. Our primary served markets are manufacturers of capital equipment for semiconductor devices, and for other thin film applications including flat panel displays, solar cells, data storage media, and other advanced coatings. www.mksinst.com

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