Contiweb, a specialist in state-of-the-art technologies for printing, advanced drying and web-handling, announces today the launch of its Digital Fluid Applicator (DFA), a standalone remoistening applicator for digital web presses, developed to significantly improve the quality of digitally printed products.

Based on the popular Contiweb Fluid Applicator for heatset web offset applications, the DFA is an innovative and user-friendly system, which uses tap water and a surfactant to intelligently and very precisely remoisten the paper on digital web presses. Silicone can also be added as an option, decidedly advantageous if inline finishing is being employed.

“Common quality issues such as loss of signature flatness, growth of cut books, curling and broken folds are overcome with our new DFA system. Furthermore, damage on the printed surface due to friction from inline finishing modules can be overcome by the integrated siliconizer,” explains Rutger Jansen, CEO at Contiweb, adding: “There may be a perception in the market that digital inkjet printing does not require remoistening, however the process generates high temperatures during drying, resulting in significant loss of moisture and diminished quality of the printed matter, a difficulty we’ve been determined to resolve.”

The Contiweb DFA mixes tap water and a surfactant within the system, which is then continuously circulated, rather than using specially treated deionized water. The amount of remoistening can be adjusted quickly to suit requirements, and due to a sophisticated control system, are steadfastly consistent. The system ensures constant coverage, even with changing press speeds, and can be set differently for each side of the paper if desired. Settings can also be saved, slashing set-up times for repeat jobs.

“The Contiweb team has developed a Plug and Play system that is compatible with digital web presses from all well-known manufacturers. Using economical, easy-to-access tap water, with high performance pure silicone, the Contiweb DFA will provide a step-change in the quality of digitally printed products. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the results for our customers,” concludes Jansen.

From left to right: Clemens de Vroome, Contiweb Senior Development Engineer; Hans Heijnen, Contiweb Senior Mechanical Engineer and Rutger Jansen, Contiweb CEO.