Brummen, Netherlands - At Labelexpo Americas 2016, GSE Dispensing (booth 558) introduces ink logistics solutions that enable label and packaging printers to reduce costs throughout the workflow and achieve repeatable color, on-demand – regardless of ink set used. Designed for flexo, gravure and screen ink applications, these comprise dispensing systems for solvent, water-based and UV inks, ink bucket washers and integrated ink management software. 

GSE presents its offering at the show under the slogan ‘Nothing to Waste.’ Maarten Hummelen, marketing director at GSE Dispensing explains:

“Maximizing value in manufacturing depends on eliminating expenditure of all related resources that do not create added value for the customer. Everything we do at GSE Dispensing is focused on helping printers eliminate waste at all stages from procurement to product delivery. Beyond the waste of ink itself, this includes time, materials, tools, techniques, people and space. Our approach has helped over 1,000 printers worldwide gain control of their processes and boost profitability, and our Labelexpo Americas stand gives visitors a first-hand appreciation of the possibilities.” 

Colorsat® Dispensing Program Enables ‘Color on Demand’

GSE’s Colorsat® range of modular dispensing systems mix and dispense inks, to precise quality and quantity specifications, in minutes. Benefits are reduced setup times, ink-yield improvements of over 30 percent thanks to easy re-use of press-return inks, a cleaner color mixing environment and better stock management.

The dispensers cater for the full range of ink sets and volumes commonly required in flexo, gravure and screen package printing. For label-printing applications, the company offers two automatic systems that dispense spot colors in 1kg to 10kg volumes and vary in the way they store the base inks.   

The Colorsat Switch dispenser, for aqueous, UV-curable and solvent inks, features a dispensing unit and a control cabinet connected to a maximum of 20 exchangeable buckets of max. 25 kg, stored by modular waterfall frames. It is also possible to connect high-volume components to the dispenser (e.g. 200-litre barrels or 1,000-litre containers).

The Colorsat Match dispenser prepares aqueous and UV-curable inks from a maximum of 20 base components. The Match has a small footprint and is equipped with fixed, refillable storage tanks as standard: ten with a 20-litre capacity and a further two with a 40-litre capacity. Optionally, the system can be extended with extra internal 20-litre tanks, external barrels or containers for high-volume components. A bubble mixer in the ink tanks maintains uniform flow rate and viscosity levels, and an automatic wet – dry cleaning unit assures easy maintenance and changeovers.

Furthermore, GSE’s Colorsat Solo offers an accurate and efficient way of supplying process colors, base ingredients and coatings to the flexo or screen printing press. It is suited for packaging and graphics applications, and is compatible with UV-curable, aqueous and solvent ink types.   

Formula Checkweigh System

The Formula Checkweigh System (FCS) for flexo, gravure, offset and screen applications, provides simplified, controlled management and weighing of ink batches. The computerized FCS, comprising a 15kg / 33lb scale (35 kg / 77lb optional), bulks up the ink formula to a desired batch size, calculates the individual weight of each formula component, then leads the operator through a step-by-step controlled weighing process. For every batch weighed a label is printed with an optional label printer for easy identification.

Ink Management Software

All dispensing units use GSE's Ink Management Software (IMS™), a user-friendly production management tool that can be integrated with the packaging converter’s chosen color formulation software. IMS enables the operator to view recipe data and ink costings related to each job, store new color specifications and re-use return inks in new jobs. The software also facilitates ingredient tracking through the supply chain, by storing batch data about every job.   

Dispensing Solutions Grounded in Safety Thanks to Certification ‘World First’

GSE Dispensing has also strengthened its commitment to safe working environments for solventbased-ink users, by becoming the first supplier of dispensing components with IECEx explosion-proof certification. IECEx stands for the International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres.  

GSE Dispensing has introduced earthing (‘grounding’) solutions for conducting static electricity from containers and inks. The earth clamp, secured inside the bucket and connected by wire to the ground, eliminates the risk of sparks that can lead to explosions when highly flammable vapors are present in the atmosphere.

The new optional system for securing the earth connection of base colors increases safety even beyond standard requirements. This safety system is equipped with an alarm light that flashes when the quick connector is not connected properly to the drum