Flow on effects of water cooling press peripheral cabinets can
turn your factory hot spot into a cool haven.
Air cooling of press peripheral cabinets is standard practice
but water cooling of cabinets, particularly on larger presses, is
increasing in popularity…and with good reason.
With increased sales of large format and specialist presses
(UV and double coater IR) in our market, demand for more effective
peripheral cooling systems has also increased.
It is common for the peripheral cabinets delivered with
presses to run the full length of the press and the waste heat
generated by these cabinets is a problem for many print shops.
Waste heat must be removed from the print room so that
presses can operate at a constant temperature to ensure optimal
performance.
Normally peripheral equipment is cooled with radial fans
blowing air through the cabinets. The heat exchangers within are
cooled and hot air is piped outside.
Air cooling is not very efficient and a lot of the waste heat
stays in the print shop for the air conditioning system to deal
with. This causes large swings in the temperature of press systems
and major room temperature changes occur during shifts. The
turbulence generated by radial fans also leads to waste spray
powder being blown around the print shop.
Following the lead of the car and motorcycle manufacturing
industries, where water cooling as a temperature control method has
been used for many years, Heidelberg has recently adapted this
technology as an option to cool peripheral cabinets on its A2 and
A1 presses.
Water cooled cabinets are sealed and are cooled with a heat
exchanger fitted in the top. Water is circulated through the
exchanger carrying the waste heat away through water pipes to an
outdoor fan cooling unit. The circulation system is a closed loop
much like commercial reverse cycle air conditioning unit.
Ninety percent of the heat is removed using this method and
print shop temperatures can be more easily controlled, taking
pressure off over-worked air-conditioning systems. As well, power
consumption is reduced, as is air turbulence, resulting in lower
operating costs and a cleaner, safer place to work. Longevity of
equipment is improved through a more regulated factory environment,
ultimately resulting in better quality print.
Further Information:
Lindsay Barnes - Product Manager, Sheetfed
Email:
Lindsay.Barnes@heidelberg.com