HydrOscope

HydrOscope: to measure the emulsification behaviour of an ink using a roller based system. Performs tack measurement in combination with torque measurement.

This device uses tack as function of emulsification. A torque sensor provides information about the change in rheology of the ink as function of emulsification. The HydrOscope tests are based on emulsification of ink and dampening fluid on a roller system, like the conditions on a printing press. In terms of droplet size and droplet distribution, the emulsified ink from the HydrOscope is fundamentally different from testers with stirrers. The ink emulsion created on the HydrOscope offers an awfully close correlation with emulsified ink as found on-press. The HydrOscope enables the user to build a database based upon known performance of ink-fount combinations and enables the inkmaker to detect and predict combinations which can cause ink/water related problems during printing.