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Viscometer Keeps Toner Production Running
Viscosity
is not usually a property associated with the highly-staining powdered
ink toner used in printers and photocopiers.Viscosity is not usually a
property associated with the highly-staining powdered ink toner used in
printers and photocopiers. But an intrinsically safe XL7 on-line
viscometer from Hydramotion is said to be playing a key role in keeping
the production lines running for a toner producer. Toner consists of
pigment particles encapsulated in a thermoplastic resin.In a
photocopier or printer, the toner is transferred electrostatically to
the paper, which then passes between a pair of heated rollers.The toner
particles melt and fuse with the paper fibres to produce the finished
image.The electrical charge and fixing characteristics of the toner are
largely determined by the resin, which is typically a styrene-acrylic
copolymer.In the production of polystyrene the degree of polymerisation
directly affects its viscosity, which in turn determines the quality of
the final product.According to Hydramotion, careful monitoring of
viscosity is, therefore, essential throughout the production
process.The toner company’s research department recommended Hydramotion
and the XL7 is said to be easy to install and simple to operate,
requiring virtually no maintenanceIt is also said to provide a
continuous real-time read-out on a dedicated signal processor, as well
as 4-20mA analogue and RS232 serial data outputs.As the polymerisation
is carried out in a hazardous area at 200 degrees C, Hydramotion
supplied an intrinsically safe version of its standard high-temperature
instrument, enabling production staff to track polymer viscosity during
the whole production process.The viscometer has given managers a much
higher level of control over the process than was previously possible
and the reduction in downtime has led to substantial savings, added the
company.One of the engineers at the toner company’s site, said: ‘It
operated fine.We now have continuous read-out of product property.’ for
the company.
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