Blower-Driven Drier provides mulitple
benefits for DEK's Precision Printing Screens Production Operation
Application: Manual drying of precision screens
When DEK replaced compressed air screen drying systems with
blower-driven driers, as part of a continuous up-grading process
of the company’s screen production operation, they benefited
from more than improved drying procedures.
DEK specialises in the supply of precision screens for printing
electronic circuitry employed in the medical, aerospace and
automotive industries, working to accuracy’s of 10 microns.
The company pursues a tight quality control policy linked
to demanding production schedules, consequently, improvements
in speed and quality control during screen manufacture play
an important role in the overall production process.
“Until recently we used compressed air to dry screens,
which measure from 150mm x 130mm up to 1200mm x 1500mm. Drying
takes place after degreasing them to remove the lubricants
employed during the weaving process of polyester and stainless
steel mesh. And after washing to remove water from apertures
within the image areas of the developed screen”, said
Brian Greatrex, Process Engineer at DEK’s Weymouth plant.
“The small orifice of the jet resulted in times of up
to 10 minutes drying time per screen.”
“However, with the new blower powered drying equipment,
‘Jetblack’ units from Air Control Industries (ACI)
of Chard, that time has been cut down to 2 minutes or less.
Also, in addition to the significant time advantage the Jetblack
provides, it is safer, quieter and more comfortable to use
whilst eliminating screen rejects resulting from deposition
of contaminants from the compressed air line”, he added.
The improved drying results from the Jetblacks use of high
volumes of air at low pressure delivered from a hand gun with
a large outlet, enabling the user to dry large areas quickly.
Drying is further accelerated by the air friction warming
the hand gun which in turn heats the air being delivered.
The high volume/low pressure air delivery also results in
quieter operation, making for an improved working environment
and safer operation with no risk of air penetrating the skin.
Finally, the Jetblack is better for long periods of use because
instead of a finger trigger that becomes uncomfortable it
is foot operated.
