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Novomatics Operation Manual 

AlphaTackPlus 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

33 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

Insert new teflon piston from top side, 
arrange position of its mounting hole, 
when there is a colour marked point set it 
to front side 

 

 

 

 

Insert new teflon piston form top side, 
arrange position of its mounting hole 

 

 

 

Insert and fix internal screw with a fitting 
flat screw driver 

 

 

Mount metal cover with two hexagonal 
screws 

 

Summary of Contents for AlphaTackPlus

Page 1: ...asuring Instrument Owners Manual Operation Manual Issue 06 2018 c 2016 by NOVOMATICS GmbH NOVOMATICS GmbH Aubachstr 1 D 56410 Montabaur Germany Phone 49 26 02 919 9622 FAX 49 26 02 919 8052 solutions novomatics com www novomatics com ...

Page 2: ...he AlphaTackPlus 15 4 2 1 Instrument cables and connections 15 4 2 1 1 Mains cable 15 4 2 1 2 USB cable 15 4 2 1 3 Switching on the AlphaTackPlus Start of WinAlphaTack 15 5 Start of a first tack measurement 16 5 1 Sample settings 16 5 2 Program settings 17 5 2 1 General Settings 17 5 2 2 Basic Settings 18 5 2 3 Program steps 18 5 3 Automatic ink dispenser 19 6 Cleaning 21 6 1 Rapid cleaning 21 6 2...

Page 3: ...iles w2d 30 9 4 Sample Operation Procedure Files sop 31 10 Maintenance 32 10 1 Exchange of teflon piston of dispenser 32 10 2 Exchange of elastomer roller 35 10 3 Approving of tack measuring sensor 36 11 Technical specification 37 12 Contacting Novomatics 39 ...

Page 4: ...novative tack measuring instrument It features a fully automated system providing accurate results under controlled conditions Features operator independent fully automated measuring system stable measurements over the lifetime of the instrument accurate reliable and easy to operate cost savings through minimal labour time and accurate measurements automated embedded ink film dispensing unit inter...

Page 5: ...ck is a critical issue in the lithographic process and tack is relevant to all stages of distribution or transfer in the printing process Therefore accurate tack measurements are essential for a good performance of ink on the press 2 2 How to measure ink tack Conventional instruments being developed to measure tack all rely on the same principle of measuring the force exerted on a measuring roller...

Page 6: ...ticity ball bearing friction and forces for ink film formation Owing to its innovative technical design the AlphaTackPlus overcomes all the principle based difficulties of the usual tack measuring method A solid state force sensor is embedded seamlessly into the surface of driving metal roller This sensor measures the complete pressure profile in the roller nip and transfers this data to the PC af...

Page 7: ...marized parameter is called LineTack N m and expresses the pure force for film splitting based on SI units Consequently factors like variations of elastomer roller elasticity or ball bearing friction are eliminated and do not influence the test results anymore That s why the AlphaTackPlus provides uniquely accurate and reproducible measurements over the lifetime of the instrument Figure 2 Figure 3...

Page 8: ...ared to water bath only a fracture of electrical energy is consumed essentially lowering operational costs during the instruments lifetime Why does the AlphaTackPlus stabilize the elastomer roller temperature Controlling only the metal roller may lead to deviations of nip temperature Measurements have shown that the yielding nip temperature is determined approximately 70 by metal surface and 30 by...

Page 9: ...ration Manual AlphaTackPlus 9 External water baths or closed cycle cooler are thermally inert and demand extra space and energy Because of the integrated solution extra devices for temperature control are eliminated ...

Page 10: ...isconnected from all voltage sources before it is opened for any adjustment replacement or repair The manufacturer does not take any responsibility for any adjustments maintenance by the user Consult NOVOMATICS if repairs are necessary Whenever it is likely that the safety of the instrument has been impaired it should be made inoperative and secured against any unintended operation Safety could be...

Page 11: ... rollers the AlphaTack HS is equipped with ultrasonic proximity switch for instant roller stop A periodic peep sounds as soon as there any object closer than 40 cm in front of the rollers In case the distance is shorten down to 30 cm the rollers and so also the test stop within one second Washing is possible without any limitation since elastomer roller is separated from metal roller Figure 5 show...

Page 12: ...net 1 Visit http www novomatics de downloads 2 Login in with username and password 3 New users please fill out the registration request to receive login details 4 Download winalphatacksetup exe 5 After downloading from Novomatics server start the program winalphatacksetup exe manually 6 Follow the default adjustments by pressing Next 7 The WinAlphaTack will be installed USB driver is placed at ins...

Page 13: ...Novomatics Operation Manual AlphaTackPlus 13 Figure 6 Setup Executable Run as administrator ...

Page 14: ...ur PC If so click yes to continue Press the Extract button Follow all installation including license terms agreement acceptance shown and the driver will be automatically installed From a legal point of view the user must accept the license terms of the driver Successful installation is shown in Figure 7 wizard Figure 7 Driver Installation Completion ...

Page 15: ...change the hose cable before the instrument is taken in further operation In case of doubt contact your supplier or Novomatics please refer to page Fehler Textmarke nicht definiert 4 2 1 1 Mains cable Please only use cable from the manufacturer These are tested and delivered in mechanical stable version Your socket must have a secure electrical ground connection 4 2 1 2 USB cable Please only use c...

Page 16: ...overlays automatic creation of measurement reports data transfer to other programs etc Open the dialog Measurement AlphaTackPlus Sample Preparation Enter sample names and correct sample weight Eventually you add a comment which is saved for later evaluation within the result file 5 1 Sample settings Figure 8 Please select program standard within the upper toolbar ...

Page 17: ...haTackPlus 17 5 2 Program settings Open the dialog measurement programs for checking the program settings The WinAlphaTack software provides a maximum of flexibility for creating own measuring programs 5 2 1 General Settings Figure 9 ...

Page 18: ...hecked and modified at Measurement Programs Steps The program is organized in steps For every step the parameter can be set separately Usually the temperature should not be changed within a measuring program so please set all temperature set point to the equal value For adding new steps at list end use the add button For inserting steps after list selection use the insert button For deleting steps...

Page 19: ... film thickness parameter of the selected measuring program The setting volume can be defined within the basic program settings The standard volume is 100 µl Press the start button on upper toolbar for starting the test After Manual ink dispensing units for tack tests based on piston tube design are known from lab practice The AlphaTackPlus has been equipped with a similar but embedded automated i...

Page 20: ...h a small smooth spatula to its upper edge During the first seconds of test the ink is continuously dispensed and in cooperation with the oscillating elastomer roller a reproducible ink film is created The ink dispensing unit does not require attention for cleaning It is cleaned during the roller cleaning process ...

Page 21: ...es only a minimum of cleaning time Just the metal roller has to be wiped off and so the elastomer roller and piston of embedded dispenser unit are cleared at the same time Because small amount of required solvent and short cleaning time the operators are only in minimal contact with solvent 0 sec 5 sec 10 sec 20 sec ...

Page 22: ...best tack reproducibility the cleaning agents are not allowed to have non evaporating ingredients like surfactants or salts For conventional roller cleaning it is highly recommended to use simply petroleum benzine For UV Inks a mixture of ethanol and ethyl acetate has been proved to be successful like Wash Up W907 Art No W907 K042 25 kgs can Supplier Zeller Gmelin GmbH Co KG Schlossstraße 20 73054...

Page 23: ...ult window by pressing Window New Result Process Press the right mouse button over it and press Content Select one ore more measuring files which have to be inserted into this diagraph Please note that the complete diagraph axes colors content can be saved by pressing File Save and reloaded by pressing File Open Diagram or File Recent Diagrams Figure 13 7 3 Measuring reports WinAlphaTack contains ...

Page 24: ...compatibility mode to the instrument geometry of your choice Please that testing conditions like temperature surface speed and film thickness have to be equal to the instrument you want to simulate Please ask Novomatics for further details The compatibility is expressed by the parameter y bx c of a linear regression line Perform a series of test with the instrument that has to be simulated and the...

Page 25: ...anual AlphaTackPlus 25 similar like the comp inkometer example xls that was installed with WinAlphaTack software Figure 15 Determine the line parameter b and c and take these over into the dialog Measurement Data Evaluation ...

Page 26: ...e cannot be better than the accuracy of your simulated instrument It is like a snap shoot at a certain time Furthermore it simulates this instrument and not necessarily this instrument type It is known that there can be larger differences in tack reading of classic instruments of the same type ...

Page 27: ...ends on applied conditions like line force elasticity of elastomer roller but also on friction of applied ink The splitting behavior is described by the second part of the line course X m P kN m2 Pressure Distribution Function and related Variables Average Pressure kN m2 Average Tack kN m2 Peak Pressure kN m2 Peak Tack kN m2 Gap Width m m Tack Width m m Integrated Pressure equal to LineForce N m N...

Page 28: ...Independent Variables Time s min Indicates the time since start of measurement Temperature C F K Indicates the temperature of measurement roller surface The measurement roller contains a PT 1000 temperature probe that is placed very close to roller surface This arrangement grants a smallest temperature difference between surface and probe For details please refer to temperature control system The ...

Page 29: ...t indicates the maximal vertical tack force that is effective to the ink during the film splitting process Integral Tack N m The integral tack denotes the complete vertical force that is needed to split the ink film after leaving the nip It is the integral of the pressure distribution function over the film splitting process The integral force is expressed in relation to roller length It is the fo...

Page 30: ...Plus instrument During test the running measurement can be saved explicitly by clicking File Save Online As After a test a File Saving Box is opened automatically for saving the online data in a measurement file Names may be designated and or suggested using the Options Preferences Auto Designation Dialog automatically The current measurement is saved into last res automatically after every saved ...

Page 31: ...p to eight pre selectable programs for direct access Using the combo box within the measurement control bar placed on top of WinAlphaTack mainframe for program selection Use SOP files if more than eight programs must be saved and or programs must be transferred to other users For loading and restoring open the measurement programs dialog Programs can be set to and saved from of any the eight pre s...

Page 32: ... piston of dispenser The embedded ink dispenser consists of minimum of moveable parts only The only part that requires attention is the teflon piston Usually it is usable over several thousand of dispension but can be replaced by operators themselves Switch of the instrument for assure that the metal can not rotate Loose the two hexagonal screws that hold the metal cover on front of metal roller a...

Page 33: ...ide arrange position of its mounting hole when there is a colour marked point set it to front side Insert new teflon piston form top side arrange position of its mounting hole Insert and fix internal screw with a fitting flat screw driver Mount metal cover with two hexagonal screws ...

Page 34: ...p position That s why the top position has to be re tuned Feel with you finger tip whether the piston is to high to low or in exact position Use the dialog Instrument Ink Dispenser settings for returning the top position Figure 18 Release the dialog with ok when you feel a smallest or no edge Please note your finger tips are very sensitive usually you can feel edges down to 10 microns ...

Page 35: ... rollers may be used for much longer time Only in case of massive surface wearing the roller has to be exchanged The second need of roller substitution is the change of ink type Novomatics offers suitable elastomer materials for conventional and uv inks Loose the hexagonal center screw for exchange Before the new roller is mounted make sure that there is no pollution or particle on conus of roller...

Page 36: ...ration roller is an optional accessory part ordering part number 970010 can be used for all instruments in lab The calibration check takes less than 5 minutes 1 Mount slim calibration roller 2 Prepare a pipette with demineralized water 3 Open the dialog Instrument Check Tack Sensors 4 Press start button 5 Keep the rollers wet with demi water sufficiently as shown on figure 20 That prevents any min...

Page 37: ...er inks may have a linetack down to 20 N m heatset inks may have a linetack of 120 N m high tack varnishes may have a linetack of up to 300 N m roller system two roller slim system consisting driven metal roller and engaged oscillating elastomer roller metal driving and measuring roller 120 1800 rpm 30 450 m min higher speeds on request embedded tack measuring and temperature measuring device self...

Page 38: ...e to surface self calibrating by internal references setting range 20 to 40 C accuracy 0 05 C setting time to 0 1 C accuracy 3 min water bath obsolete power supply Operation voltage 100 250 V 50 60 Hz Power consumption 200 VA dimensions weight L x W x H 36 x 28 x 27 ccm Weight 20 kgs computer Interface to AlphaTackPlus USB 2 0 Operating system Windows 10 software WinAlphaTACK provided with the mea...

Page 39: ...Korea BOB KOREA Ltd B 809 Garden5 Works Chungmin ro 52 Sonpagu 05832 Seoul Phone 0082 10 9745 5255 Fax 0082 2 4085 524 Email eric choi bobtd com contact Eric Choi Japan Morimura Bros Inc Toranomon Towers Office 1 28 Toranomon 4 chome Minato ku Tokyo 105 8451 Phone 0081 3 3432 3532 Fax 0081 3 3432 3533 Email h sone morimura co jp contact Hayato Sone Taiwan Dia Var Chemical Company 1 Fl No 102 Meilu...

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