Inking/dampening systems

The prevalent explanation for isopropanol s role in this kind of dampening system is that its surface tension, about 29 dynes/cm, sufficiently lowers the aqueous fountain solution surface tension to allow wetting of the inked form-roller by that solution, as illustrated in Figure 1. That is, the fountain solution wets and spreads onto, and is carried by the ink film on the form-roller to the printing plate, as a relatively thin, uniform film. 

Equipped with a fountain and ink rollers, the inking system is like the dampening system. Depending on the quantity of ink required, the ink can be supplied to the press fountains via pipes originating from a centralized pumping station, or from point-of-use drum pumps at each press, or even by hand. These inks tend to be very viscous, which makes them rather difficult to be poured. 

Ductor roller n. The roller which is in intermittent contact with the fountain roller and transfers ink to the distribution system of the press. On a hthographic press it is also the roller, which transfers the fountain solution to the dampening rollers. 

Fountain faun-t n [ME, fr. MF fontaine, fr. LL fontana, fr. L, feminine of fontanus of a spring, fr. font-, fans] (14c) n. Part of a printing press, which contains the ink to be fed to the distributing system. In hthography, it is also the part, which feeds the water or fountain solution to the dampening rollers. 

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