To help its members keep up to date with new technologies, the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM) focused on a wide range of topics during the closing session of the National Printing Ink Research Institute (NPIRI) Technical Conference on Oct. 9, 2014.
 
UV LED, nanoparticles, printed electronics and new press technologies were on the schedule for the conference, which was held from Oct. 7-9 at the Lincolnshire Marriott, Lincolnshire, IL.
 
The Oct. 9 session began with Bill Bonallo of IST America, who analyzed “Energy Curable Printing – Ink, Equipment and Technology Update.”
 
“Of all the ingredients in a UV formulation, the photoinitiator is most unique to UV curing,” Bonello said.
 
Nanoparticles are a topic of interest in many industries but what is not as well known are the efforts needed to keep these workers safe from these minute particles. With that in mind, Kevin Dunn of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) analyzed “Nano Technology and the Graphic Arts – Dusts and Aerosols – What You Need to Know.”
 
“These new materials have unique physical and chemical characteristics that can differ greatly from their parent compounds,” Dunn said “These are stronger, lighter and more durable, with different melting temperatures and enhanced electrical and chemical conductivity. These changes also affect the toxicology of these nanomaterials.
 
“Advances in nanotechnology offer great potential advantages in many products and industries,” Dunn added. “These same materials also pose many new challenges due to the unknowns. We have the ability to eliminate or limit potential exposures, but recognition of the issues and a proactive HS&E environment are vital.”
 
Dunn covered best handling practices, with an eye on procedures and equipment.
 
Dr. Harry Zervos of IDTechEx followed with “Overview and Update on Conductive Inks and Printed Electronics.” Zervos noted that IDTechEx expects printed electronics will evolve into a $70 billion business within the next 10 years.
 
Zervos noted that there are four billion-dollar markets within printed electronics: OLED displays, which aren’t printed yet; conductive inks and pastes; eReaders, which have since declined as color displays have taken over the market; and printed sensors such as glucose strips.
 
“Silver flake inks remain dominant, with a market share of greater than 95%,” Zervos said. “Touch screen and automotive have provided growth in the flake ink market. Printed blood glucose test strips are already a $6 billion market today, mainly carbon and some silver ink.”
 
KBA’s Chris Travis discussed some of the recent advances in printing presses in his talk on “Press Manufacturers – Technology Update,” a look at sheetfed press advances. Size and speed are two areas where presses have changed, with new presses as large as 81” in width, and some presses running at 20,000 sheets per hour. There are even 19-unit presses. LED UV, inline color control and roll-to-sheet production are just a few of the gains being made by sheetfed press makers.
 
“All KBA VariDry UV presses are LED UV prepared,” Travis said. “The future will be hybrid drying presses, including traditional UV, optimized UV and LED UV. LED UV will be a part of the future.”
Lois Lemon, master faculty specialist at Western Michigan University closde the conference with “Graphic Communication Curriculum- Academic Perspective.” Lemon offered a portrait of the Millennial generation, offering insights on how to get their best efforts.
After the NPIRI Technical Conference, NAPIM’s next major event is the 100th anniversary of NAPIM, which will be celebrated during its Annual Convention, March 20-23, 2015 at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Ponte Vedra, FL. The theme of the convention will be “100th Anniversary of NAPIM – A Century of Successes and Commitment to the Future.”
 
For more information or to register for NAPIM’s 100^th Convention, contact NAPIM at [email protected], or call NAPIM at (770) 209-7289.