Reference Book
The ink fountain holds a pool of ink and controls the amount of ink that enters
the inking system. The most common type of fountain consists of a metal
blade that is held in place near the
fountain roller. The gap between
the blade and the fountain roller
can be controlled by adjusting
screw keys to vary the amount of
ink on the fountain roller. Printers
adjust the keys in or out as the
fountain roller turns to obtain the
desired quantity of ink.
Ink agitator :- Ink is supplied to
the system by an ink fountain. On
large presses and ink agitator may
be used to help maintain a constant
ink flow. An agitator is a revolving
device that moves along the
fountain and stirs the ink to keep it at the same flow level.
Ductor roller :- The ductor roller is the intermediate roller between the fountain
roller and the distribution roller. Ductor roller is a movable roller that flops
back and forth between the ink fountain roller and an ink distribution roller.
As the ductor roller contacts the fountain roller, both turn and the ductor is
inked. The ductor then swings forward to contact a distribution roller and
transfers ink to it. The rate of rotation of the ink fountain rollers and the gap
between the fountain blade and the fountain roller controls the amount of ink
added to the distributing system.
Form rollers:- The rollers that are actually in contact with plate are called
form rollers. They ink the plate.
Distribution rollers:- Distribution rollers spread the ink out to a uniform layer
before it is placed on the plate. The greater the number of distribution rollers
the more accurate the control of ink uniformity. There are generally two types
of distribution rollers. Rotating distribution roller and oscillating distribution
roller. Rotating distribution rollers rotates in one direction. Oscillating
distribution rollers rotates and also move from side to side.