Since before 2,500 BC people have been using different inks to paint with, for printing and draw with to tell stories, record history, and decorative design. As time has evolved the tools and the process of making these inks has changed drastically.
Originally they were ground down and manufactured by hand but machinery and technology has made it possible to manufacture inks on a larger scale and to create a spectrum of colors. Now these days there are 4 different classifications of ink; aqueous, liquid, paste, and powder.
In order to manufacture inks you have to be able to grind down materials to mix with other raw materials to produce the end product.
Inks begin with a dry powdery pigment that is dispersed in liquid. Those wet materials will vary depending on what type application that the ink will be used for. Custom Milling & Consulting LLC, located in Fleetwood, PA has been leading the way in wet milling/grinding for more than a decade. The technicians and engineers on staff have more than 25 years of experience and understand the different applications and processes. They have done contract processing for the inks industry since they first opened their doors.
When it comes to processing inks many companies want to have the ability to change the levels of production and to change between products quickly and smoothly. They also want to achieve a micron level in the particle size to create a smooth, high quality product. There are several machines out there that are designed to handle all these requirements, basket mills, horizontal mills, planetary mixers, and in line rotor stators.
How the process works is that a company will hire another company to manufacture their product in order to reduce cost. Space may be another factor or having qualified trained staff to operate the machinery can be reasons companies will outsource manufacturing. Once they have found a company like CMC, they will then discuss terms and processing techniques, and an agreement is contracted up and signed by both parties.
CMC offers the following services
- Particle size reduction
- Particle deagglomeration
- Filtration
- Emulsification
- Mixing, blending, and dispersion of liquid
- Acquisition of raw material, inventory, and storage
- Specific packaging and labeling per company and per product
- Shipment to the end user
- Documentation
- Technical support
Within the 36,000 sq. ft. facility we offer lab testing with state of the art equipment, milling production, manufacturing of milling machinery, and a storage area of spare parts.
CMC not only provides contract processing of inks, they also manufacture equipment for the wet milling industry. If you would like to schedule a lab testing and tour the facilities contact a representative today.
