Electrostatic Ink Transfer.

The background to the development of Hurletron Inc.'s Electrosist system is outlined, and the implications of electrostatic assist for gravure printing are discussed. A physical analysis of gravure ink transfer is presented. The principles and operation of the Electrosist system are explained, and its application to packaging and publication presses is considered. The structure, properties and behavior of the semiconductive impression rollers employed in Electrosist are examined. The effects of electrostatic assist on the behavior of different ink solvent combinations are analyzed.