Reduce Static With A Static Suppression Kit - Oce Arizona 550 GT User Manual

Reduce Static with a Static Suppression Kit

Reduce Static with a Static Suppression Kit
Introduction
The Océ Static Suppression Upgrade Kit is a Commercial Product that can be ordered
as part # 3010106603. If you are experiencing static-related imaging problems this op-
tional upgrade kit contains an ionizer bar that provides a solution to reduce static. Some
rigid media can have a large static surface charge. If the charge is high enough, ink can
be repelled from the media. This ink mist can show up as cloudy areas in white sections
of the image. Static not only causes these printing artifacts, but can also result in excessive
ink accumulation on the bottom of the carriage.
Note:
You must have at least printer software revision 1.7 or greater, installed to support the
static suppression ionizer bar.
Purpose
Ionization is a solution to the problem of static. A common print industry method of
controlling static electricity is the use of ionization. For the Océ anti-static bar to be ef-
fective, it must be close to the media. The bar uses AC current to create positive and
negative ions, which are attracted to the unbalanced surface of the material. This neutralizes
the media and ink is more readily accepted. It is important to note that static electricity
cannot be entirely eliminated; only reduced. To eliminate static electricity, something
physically would have to be done to the conductivity of the material.
Humidity is also important to control static. Static-related print issues can be greatly re-
duced by an increase in print environment humidity. While most media will print without
difficulty at humidity levels between 30 and 50%, thermoplastics will print more success-
fully when humidity is above 40%. Some locales, such as desert areas frequently deal with
very low humidity, while other regions only experience this at certain times of the year.
If a printer is installed in a low-humidity area and/or a large volume of printed work is
on media that is prone to static, we recommend the installation of a humidity control
system.
When to do
Why Static is a Problem
Many standard print materials such as PVC and acrylic are electrical insulators, and the
static charge generated and held by these materials can provide some printing challenges.
Thermoplastic materials are the most common static-laden print media. Static-prone
materials tend to attract dust and hair and release charges that can be felt and seen.
136 Chapter 7 - How to Use the Static Suppression Upgrade Kit