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Burt Process Equipment is the premier distributor of pumps and equipment for the textile and digital printing industries. ARO and Micropump are leading pump manufacturers for powders, dyes, and inks as highlighted in the case studies below. Pumps range from large 3” diaphragm pumps for larger quantity transfer rates to small gear-driven precision pumps. Our team of pump experts can help you identify the best equipment for your printing application for optimal performance and efficiency.

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ARO 3" Powder Pump Application

Forecast 3D Printing

Application: Transfer 55 Gallon Drum of Nylon Based Printing Powder 

3D printing involves several different processes which require different “inks” or printing materials. The main ink used is a nylon-based fine powder, which feels similar to talcum powder and has a weight of roughly 88 kg for a 55-gallon drum. Printing powder used is purchased in large octagon-shaped totes directly from HP. 

Once one of the large bins is received, the powder is transferred into 55-gallon drums using a vacuum-based filling system that is in place currently. This allows them to easily roll the drums of powder into the printing area. After the printing process, there is an excess of unused powder (basically the powders surrounding the 3D printed parts). This powder can be re-used a certain number of times – so after printing, they need to take this powder from the printer, remove the printed parts, and dump the unused powder back into the 55-gallon drums.

55 Gallon Drum of Nylon Based Printing Powder
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55 Gallon Drum of Powder about to be transferred to the large tote by the ARO 3” Powder Pump
This printing facility has approximately 100 3D printers that each goes through one 55-gallon drum of powder every 1-2 days. This generates a lot of excess powder and requires a solution to transfer the drums of unused powder back into the large bins. The current vacuum system in place cannot transfer from the 55-gallon drum back to the tote due to a lack of a seal on either of the containers to create the vacuum needed. The current system only works to transfer the powder from the tank into a sealed 55-gallon drum. As a result, the material has to be put back into the bins manually which is labor-intensive and very messy.

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The solution proposed for this problem is the ARO 3” double diaphragm pump. For the first run, the pump went for about a min and a half until the pump eventually slowed to a stop. After removing the top manifold of the pump, we found one side of the pump completely packed with powder. After further investigation, we found that the air valve, which distributes air to each side of the intake to help fluidize the powder, was completely packed with wet powder from a previous trial

Forecast asked Burt Process to hang on to the powder pump for a bit longer so they can experiment with implementing this into their workflow. Utilizing a custom-designed, and 3D printed intake manifold for the pump created by Forecast, will allow easy and autonomous pumping of media without an operator present during the transfer. A total of three powder pumps will be used to address cross-contamination concerns of different printing powders.

ARO Powder Transfer Pumps

Transfer and handle your dry process powders faster, cleaner, and at a fraction of the cost associated with installed “systems.” Consistent trouble-free transfer of powders up to 45-lbs. per cubic foot (721 kgs. per cubic meter) dry-weight, such as carbon black, expanded mica, silicones, acrylic resins, 3D printing powders, and pharmaceuticals.

Available in 1", 2", and 3" Parts

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Features: 

  • Replaces Manual Powder Processes 
  • Reduce Airborne Contamination - With direct transfer from the powder container to your recipe 
  • Unique Patented Air-Induction System - Avoids the possibility of powder pack-out 
  • Economical and Simple - Unlike large, complex systems · Portable - Can be moved from site to site 
  • Advanced Air-Induction Technology - 4-Way air efficiency valve, delay timer, pump major air valve, air induction valve, main air control valve, and air motor muffler 
  • NPT, BSP, and Tri-Clamp material connections


Ceramic Printing

Application Summary

Digital Printers are used to print patterns on ceramic tiles and other ceramic objects. The printing operation occurs before the ceramic is fired. A gear pump is used to supply ink to the print heads of the printer. The ink is continuously circulated over the inlets of the print heads to keep pigmentation particles in suspension; thus, preventing blockage of the inlets.

The speed and flexibility of today's digital printers have opened up new opportunities for printed ceramic tile applications. These tiles are used for flooring, countertops, and a broad range of decorative applications. Micropump pumps are used in digital ceramic tile printers to circulate pigmented ink over the inlets of the print heads. This circulation is important to keep the pigments in suspension and prevent blockage of print head inputs. 

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Textile Printing

Application Summary

Reduced lead time, power consumption, material waste, water consumption, and CO2 elimination are strong drivers for the textile industry’s rapid conversion to digital textile printers. Markets addressed by these printers include Graphics Textiles, Garment, Décor, and Industrial.
Micropump pumps are used in digital textile printers to circulate pigmented ink over the inlets of the print heads. This circulation is important to keep the pigments in suspension and prevent blockage of print head inputs.

Micropump Products

Optimized for this Application

Micropump CA Series centrifugal pump and GJM and GJR Series gear pumps are most commonly used in this application. They provide a reliable, smooth flow for ink circulation.
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Typical Gear Pumps for Ink

Application Summary

GJR

GJR:

The GJR pump will be good with most pigmented inks, including very abrasive white ink. The GJR is currently available in two gear widths (N21 and N23).

GJM:

Like the GJR, The GJM pumps will be good with any of the abrasive pigmented inks. The GJM is currently available in three gear widths (N21, N23, and N27). The main difference between the GJR and the GJM is gear material, nickel carbide (GJR) vs. PEEK (GJM). The GJM pump life may be less than the GJR in comparable applications.

GJ-380A:

The Gj-380A Pump has proven to be good with UV Ink. The GJ is currently available in three gear widths (N21, N23, and N27). The GJ gear material is PEEK.

Where used, Ink jet Inks, ceramic Inks, and UV Inks

Application Summary

textile

    Ink-Jet Inks:

  • Water, Solvent, and oil base
  • The typical particle size is 1 to 1.5 micron
  • Continuous Inkjet Printing
  • Flexographic printing
  • Textile printing

    • Ceramic Inks:

  • Ceramic printing
  • Glass Printing

    • UV Inks:

  • Emerging Gear Pump Technology under development

Ink Re-Circulation System & Diagram


Diagram

    Pumps work very well with recirculating systems

  • No pulse dampener
  • No degasser

Advantages


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  • Pulseless, leak-free flow – dampeners not needed
  • Longer life than competing gear and diaphragm products
  • Precise pressure and flow control
  • Linear control response – enables simple and reliable control systems
  • Fast response times – low inertia
  • Low power
  • Technical Support