Static experts Eltex have used Drupa to launch a series of new ancillary products for web printing. As well as new generation products of the Webmoister system, and the ESA electrostatic assist device for cleaning gravure cylinders, Eltex also announced an early prototype version of the new EFD electric field drying device, which uses static to break down the air boundary layer on a web to make drying easier and faster.

Conventional hot air and IR dryers use air nozzles to blast air at the web and break down the air boundary layer; these demand a high level of energy. By contrast, the new EFD device generates a plasma stream which completely destroys the boundary air layer while using as little as 50% of the energy required to drive a conventional dryer. Eltex expects to be launching production models of the EFD aimed at the packaging and publications gravure markets shortly, and in the following five years will produce variants suitable for the web offset sector. We see huge potential business in this area, said managing director Lukas Hahne, because cutting energy costs is a very important requirement for web printers in all sectors.

Story by Karen Charlesworth