The proper connections to the ink pumps and viscosity control units are vital for proper operation and quick change over.
The day of the hose clamp and screwdriver are a thing of the past. Having the proper connections and the ink hoses routed correctly make for a smooth ink delivery system. This also reduces downtime and waste due to kinks in the hose, ink starvation, poor ink return and improves housekeeping.
When I am out in the pressroom I often see a lot of ball valves installed on the discharge return pipe of the pump. This setup makes it very difficult to adjust the flow of the ink. The operator must come down from the deck and adjust the ball valve, and then return to the deck to see if the flow is adequate. This is very time consuming and can cause the anilox roller to run dry for periods of time. The ball valves should be installed directly onto the blade cavity. This allows the operator to engage the anilox drive motor and adjust the flow at the same time. Also, all connections in the pressroom, whether it's an ink pump or inline viscosity control unit, should have quick release cams and grooves.