Platform on production and process automation
Recently, the specialist introduced the new diaphragm pumps KNF FP 400 and FK 1100 for pumping liquids with a quiet low-pulsation flow. These pumps are ideal for use in industrial inkjet printers, as well as numerous other applications.
Text Johan Debaere | Image KNF
With the KNF FP 400, KNF introduces a new diaphragm pump specifically designed to meet the requirements for UV inks in industrial inkjet printers. The five diaphragms cause a low friction force on the inks, which prevents premature curing. With an adjustable capacity of up to approximately 5 l/minute, this pump achieves the higher recirculation volumes for modern inkjet printers, which can hold up to 36 printheads per color. Since this pump can be used for most fluids, it is also suitable for applications in the medical field, laboratories, semiconductor industry and many others where low pulsation is important. "Low pulsation is the hallmark of this FP 400, as at rated capacity values of less than 150 mbar are achieved on the discharge side of the pump. Although the pulsation is similar to that of a gear pump, the traditional advantages of diaphragm pump technology remain. It is self-priming, chemical resistant and allowed to run dry," says
Guy Janssens, manager at KNF Further. "Moreover, this diaphragm pump has very good linear controllability between 10 and 100 % of nominal capacity and is stable in backpressure situations (up to 1 bar) and viscosity changes.
KNF's FK 1100 is a robust three-diaphragm diaphragm liquid pump that achieves high capacity despite low pulsation.
KNF's range is further expanded by the robust, linearly adjustable pump FK 1100 with three diaphragms. Despite its low pulsation, it still delivers a high capacity, which is an advantage in industrial inkjet printers, as well as in food processes or refrigeration applications. This diaphragm pump pumps almost any liquid, is self-priming with a suction head of 4.5 m and can run dry. The elastomer diaphragms prevent contamination of the medium. "This FK 1100, equipped with only one inlet and one outlet, is characterized by an exceptional capacity of more than 11 l/minute. Due to the mutually different position of the membranes, they compensate for each other's pulsation resulting in a low final pulsation. Tests have shown that the pulsation value is below 200 mbar on both the inlet side and the outlet side," adds Janssens. "Thanks to its powerful motor, this pump is capable of a continuous back pressure of 6 bar while still achieving a capacity of 8 l/minute. There are different versions including a wide variety of materials for the parts in contact with the medium as well as different motors such as brushless DC motors or AC motors. The speed of the brushless DC motor can be controlled with an analog or digital PWM signal, allowing linear control of the pump's capacity."
