In the modern printing and advertising production industry, the ink pump, as the core component for conveying ink, is one of the key technologies ensuring efficient and precise printing. It is widely used in various inkjet printers, coding and marking systems, large-format printing equipment, and digital printing platforms, serving as an important driving force behind technological advancements in the industry.
The compatibility between ink pumps and printer inks is a focal point of concern for printer manufacturers. The compatibility of ink pumps mainly refers to the mutual adaptation and matching degree between the ink pump and the ink being used in terms of physical, chemical, and operational performance. This not only directly affects the quality of printing but also influences the operational efficiency and long-term stability of the equipment. Poor compatibility can lead to subpar printing results, such as color distortion, blurry images, or streaking, and may even cause equipment malfunctions, such as pump body corrosion, seal failure, ink leakage, etc., thereby significantly increasing maintenance costs, reducing production efficiency, and possibly shortening the lifespan of the equipment.
Specifically, compatibility covers the following aspects:
Chemical Compatibility
Market Pain Points:
Common types of printer inks on the market include aqueous inks, solvent-based inks, UV-curable inks, and so on. The materials of the ink pump (such as the pump body, seals, bearings, etc.) need to be able to resist the erosion from various chemical components in the ink (such as solvents, pigments, additives, etc.), without causing corrosion of the pump material, reduced efficiency, or shortened lifespan due to chemical reactions.
When selecting pump materials, the chemical properties of the ink must be considered, such as pH value, solvent type, and whether it contains corrosive substances. For special inks, like UV-curable inks and solvent-based inks, particular attention should be paid to the chemical resistance of the pump materials.
Topsflo Solutions:
Topsflo provides customized material selection solutions based on different application conditions of customers. The pump head material of the diaphragm pump can be selected from PA, PP, PPS, etc., which have characteristics such as high and low-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, high mechanical strength, and good processing performance. Diaphragm materials can be chosen from EPDM or PTFE, while valve materials can be selected from EPDM, FKM, or FFKM, all of which offer excellent chemical resistance, temperature resistance, and electrical properties with wide application ranges. For pigment inks, YT alloy gear pumps are mainly used, and for dye inks, PEEK gears can be utilized.
All these materials undergo strict screening and use internationally renowned top-tier brands, with their material performance, quality, reliability, and batch consistency far exceeding those of ordinary materials, allowing Doppler pumps to exhibit higher performance, maintaining high corrosion resistance and wear resistance even in extreme environments, and precisely meeting the specific needs of customers.
Physical Performance Match
Market Pain Points:
The viscosity, density, and flowability of inks need to match the design of the inkjet pump. For example, high-viscosity inks may require pumps with stronger conveying capabilities; whereas low-viscosity inks may require more precise flow control. Additionally, the ink pump must be able to handle solid particles or impurities in the ink to prevent clogging or wear.
Topsflo Solutions:
Topsflo offers customized ink pump solutions by gaining a deep understanding of the customer's ink composition, equipment type, and usage environment, providing the most suitable pump body materials and design solutions for customers. Topsflo recommends two star products in the printing industry, TF22 and TF30H, whose outstanding performance and stability have won widespread recognition in the market.
TF22-A-C06 inkjet printer Pump
Designed specifically for high-precision inkjet systems, this pump has high pressure-bearing capacity and low flow rate, with a maximum pressure of up to 6 bar and a flow rate of 200ml/min. It comes equipped with a high-quality brushless motor, with a lifespan of up to 10,000 hours, making it ideal for use as a pressurization pump or ink supply pump in inkjet systems, catering to the demand for ultimate printing effects.
Maximum Flow: 350ml/min, Maximum Pressure: 1bar, made of highly chemically resistant materials, suitable for various types of inks, effectively reducing maintenance costs and improving production efficiency. Suitable for all types of inkjet printing devices.
Sealing Performance
Market Pain Points:
The sealing structure of the ink pump ensures the continuity and stability of ink during transmission, directly affecting the uniformity of the ink. Poor sealing performance can lead to ink leakage, not only wasting ink resources but also reducing the transmission efficiency of the ink. Ink leakage can also contaminate other parts of the printing machine, affecting the overall performance and lifespan of the equipment.
Therefore, the ink pump must have good sealing performance to prevent ink leakage during the transmission process. The material of the seals must be able to tightly fit the pump body and maintain its elasticity and sealing effect in an ink environment.
Topsflo Solutions:
Topsflo pumps adopt a closed diaphragm surface and advanced static sealing technology, ensuring excellent sealing performance without the need for packing seals or mechanical seals, no vulnerable parts, truly achieving zero leakage during ink transmission, and no backflow when the motor is powered off.
Operational Compatibility
Market Pain Points:
The working mode of the ink pump (such as pressure, flow, speed, etc.) needs to be coordinated with the printer's control system to achieve accurate ink ejection and uniform printing effects. In addition, the ink pump must be able to adapt to different working environments and conditions (such as temperature, humidity, etc.) to ensure stable operation under various conditions.
Topsflo Solutions
Topsflo ink pumps can seamlessly integrate with multiple printer control systems, achieving precise flow and pressure control. At the same time, a comprehensive after-sales service system ensures that customers receive prompt responses and professional support when encountering issues.
Topsflo has always been committed to providing high-quality products and services to customers. If you have any questions about the compatibility between printer ink pumps and inks or need further assistance, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to working with you to create a brilliant future for the printing industry!