An Ethiopian gravure ink producer pairs a POLYC high-speed disperser for pre-dispersion with a pin-type bead mill for grinding to reach tight fineness and gloss targets.
The two-step route to fineness: pre-dispersion, then grinding
Solvent-based gravure ink relies on fully dispersed pigment in a resin and solvent system; fineness and gloss are the key quality indicators. The line therefore works in two stages: the high-speed disperser wets and pre-disperses the pigment concentrate, and the pin-type bead mill then breaks down agglomerates to the target fineness. The pin geometry offers the clearest advantage where pigments are tightly agglomerated and fineness targets are demanding.
Who should use it: products and processes that fit best
| Product type | Process requirement |
|---|---|
| Solvent-based gravure ink | Full pigment dispersion in resin/solvent; stable fineness and gloss |
| Surface-print / reverse-print and lamination gravure inks | Frequent formulation changes; fast changeover, low colour deviation |
| Alcohol- and ester-soluble gravure inks | Low-viscosity systems; explosion-proof configuration |
| Flexographic and screen inks | Agglomerate breakdown, higher colour strength |
| UV inks | High solids; temperature control to protect the system |
| Pigment pastes and concentrates | High pigment loading, tight agglomerates |
| Coatings (automotive, industrial) | Demanding gloss and fineness |
| Inkjet / digital printing inks | Ultra-fine grinding, narrow particle size distribution |
Selection criteria
- Tightly agglomerated pigments requiring strong breakdown — where the pin design offers the clearest advantage
- High fineness targets with gloss and colour-strength requirements — grinding is the decisive step for final appearance
- High solid loading (high-pigment pastes) — a good fit for pin-type operation
- Solvent-based systems requiring explosion protection — needs explosion-proof motors and mechanical seals
- Low-to-medium viscosity slurries — squarely within the pin-type adaptation range
- Batch production with frequent formulation changes — pre-dispersion efficiency and fast cleaning matter
In one sentence: if your product involves breaking down and refining pigments in a solvent or resin system — ink or paste — and fineness and gloss are the key quality indicators, then a high-speed disperser plus pin-type bead mill line is the better-matched combination.
Where this configuration fits
The complete project — from pigment grinding to filling — is documented in the gravure ink production line project note, and the same country's installation is described in the small-batch gravure ink production line for Ethiopia. Laboratories and pilot-scale work can start from the laboratory pin type bead mill.
If fineness and gloss are holding your ink back, send us your inquiry with your pigment system and target fineness.
Recommended equipment
Pin Type Bead Mill is the relevant POLYC MACHINE configuration for this application.