Printhead cleaning with Evolution Clean by Elema

Evolution Clean is the innovative machine developed Elema for cleaning and recovering digital printheads by removing internal obstructions and residues. Evolution Clean can be used with different brands and types of printheads mounted on the leading digital printers and serves to simplify inkjet machine maintenance performed by the operator, making it the ideal solution for any ceramic laboratory.

Thanks to its patent-pending cleaning system, the machine created by Elema is capable of clearing obstructions from a printhead in just over an hour. This results in time savings, reduces the costs of replacement or external maintenance and maximises productivity. By using dedicated adapters, it can switch easily and safely between different types of printhead. Dedicated control instruments (sensors, detectors, processing units) monitor the operating conditions and prevent accidental printhead damage. A few examples:

• The external cleaning system uses an ultrasound generator controlled by the machine which constantly monitors the level of immersion and the operating temperature.
• The internal and nozzle cleaning system is controlled according to flowrate and the pumps are automatically regulated by the machine.
• The cleaning and recirculation tanks are fitted with level and overflow sensors.

These and other systems guarantee maximum efficiency, higher speed and less use of cleaning liquid and electricity, thus minimising waste and maximising the results.

Recently upgraded to the new 2016 version, Evolution Clean is used by the world’s top ceramic groups. It is also being increasingly adopted by the Italian ceramic industry thanks to its outstanding results and its renowned quality as an Italian-made product. Elema is currently engaged in major commercial partnerships to expand its sales network and is performing testing in collaboration with ink producers, service companies and digital printer manufacturers.

The technical aspect of Evolution Clean that is proving most popular amongst users is its ability to almost entirely customise the cleaning cycle. This improves efficiency and optimises operating times, allowing printheads to be analysed in advance to determine the most suitable cycle in terms of intensity and duration. Some customers have reduced their average duty cycle from one hour to just over twenty minutes. Others, for the sake of practicality, have extended the long cycle from 4 to 13 hours so as to attempt to restore long-clogged printheads, leaving the machine to work overnight and checking the results during the subsequent shift.