Projects

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Printer heads from metal packaging printer

PROJECT DETAILS:

Metal Packaging Inker Heads

CATEGORY:

Metal Packaging industry

Metal packaging printers — the high-speed presses that apply decorative and informational printing to beverage cans, food containers, and metal closures — depend on precision inker heads to deliver consistent ink coverage at production speed. Over time, these heads accumulate dried ink, varnish, adhesive overspray, and lubricant residues that degrade print quality and can cause defects that lead to rejected product runs.

In this project, Calumet Chicago cleaned a set of inker heads pulled from a metal packaging printing press. The heads were placed in a Cuda aqueous parts washer, where the combination of heated water, pressurized spray, and biodegradable industrial detergent dissolved the layered ink buildup that had accumulated over multiple production runs. The cleaned heads were returned to production-ready condition without damage to their precision surfaces.

Metal packaging plants operate in a highly competitive environment where print quality, production speed, and regulatory compliance all matter. Solvent-based cleaning of inker heads introduces volatile organic compounds into the production environment, requires ventilation systems to manage fumes, and generates hazardous waste that must be tracked and disposed of according to EPA regulations. Switching to aqueous cleaning reduces these burdens significantly while delivering cleaning results that meet or exceed solvent-based methods.

Calumet Chicago has worked with metal packaging operations in the Midwest for decades, providing cleaning solutions that keep presses running and product quality high. Whether your facility needs a dedicated washer for inker heads or a larger unit that handles a variety of press components, we provide equipment selection guidance, installation support, and ongoing preventative maintenance to keep your cleaning system performing.