Oce Arizona 250 GT, User Manual

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124 Chapter 7 How to Use the Static Suppression Upgrade Kit
Reduce Static with a Static Suppression Kit
Reduce Static with a Static Suppression Kit
Introduction
The Océ Static Suppression Upgrade Kit is a Commercial Product that can be
ordered as part # 3010106603. If you are experiencing static-related imaging
problems this optional upgrade kit contains an ionizer bar that provides a solution to
reduce static. Some rigid media can have a large static surface charge. If the charge
is high enough, ink can be repelled from the media. This ink mist can show up as
cloudy areas in white sections of the image. Static not only causes these printing
artifacts, but can also result in excessive ink accumulation on the bottom of the
carriage.
Note: You must have at least printer software revision 1.7 or greater, installed to
support the static suppression ionizer bar.
Purpose
Ionization is a solution to the problem of static. A common print industry method of
controlling static electricity is the use of ionization. For the Océ anti-static bar to be
effective, it must be close to the media. The bar uses AC current to create positive
and negative ions, which are attracted to the unbalanced surface of the material. This
neutralizes the media and ink is more readily accepted. It is important to note that
static electricity cannot be entirely eliminated; only reduced. To eliminate static
electricity, something physically would have to be done to the conductivity of the
material.
Humidity is also important to control static. Static-related print issues can be greatly
reduced by an increase in print environment humidity. While most media will print
without difficulty at humidity levels between 30 and 50%, thermoplastics will print
more successfully when humidity is above 40%. Some locales, such as desert areas
frequently deal with very low humidity, while other regions only experience this at
certain times of the year. If a printer is installed in a low-humidity area and/or a large
volume of printed work is on media that is prone to static, we recommend the
installation of a humidity control system.
When to do
Why Static is a Problem
Many standard print materials such as PVC and acrylic are electrical insulators, and
the static charge generated and held by these materials can provide some printing
challenges. Thermoplastic materials are the most common static-laden print media.
Static-prone materials tend to attract dust and hair and release charges that can be
felt and seen.