In Santa Fe's dry climate, maintaining optimal conditions for printing equipment can be challenging. The State Printing and Graphics Shop has addressed this issue by installing a new humidifier system to enhance the performance of its digital presses. This move aims to control humidity levels in the press room, thereby protecting equipment and ensuring high-quality print results.
Rob Newlin, director of State Printing, highlighted the importance of this upgrade: "My two Ricoh digital presses were engineered, manufactured and tested in Japan, a tropical island which has high humidity." He explained that when these machines are used in Santa Fe's low humidity environment, quality issues arise. When consulting tech support about these problems, he often hears that low humidity is a contributing factor.
To resolve this, Newlin attended an industry Print show in Nevada where he discovered the AKIMist "E" dry fog humidification system. "I saw this AKIMist "E" dry fog humidification system, so I bought it, and our Facilities Management Division was gracious enough to install it for me," said Newlin. This system has increased the press room's humidity from 10 percent to 50 percent, improving print quality and extending cartridge life.
Previously reliant on Grainger industrial humidifiers that required frequent refilling without achieving desired humidity levels, Newlin now finds the new system more efficient and easier to maintain. "There is the control box and in the corner of the room is a sensor that senses the humidity level in the room," he explained. The system automatically maintains a set humidity level of 55 percent.
The water supply for this system undergoes reverse osmosis and softening before being used in the humidification process. At a cost of $10k, this investment ensures operational efficiency for State Printing's presses despite Santa Fe's arid conditions.
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