Keeping the pipes flowing in your shop is majorly important for any screen printing business. Clogged drains aren't just a total productivity buzzkill; they can lead to pricey repairs or fines if you're dumping solids down the drain.
A screen cleaning filtration system is is designed to sit beneath your washout booth and catch harmful solids, like ink and emulsion residue, from the screen cleaning process so they don't end up wreaking havoc on your plumbing.
Let's check out what a filtration system is, why you need one, and how to pick the right size.
What is a filtration system?
The ink and emulsion solids that are washed away from your screen during the cleaning process go down the drain from your washout booth and into your pipes. Over time, these solids dry to the walls of the pipes leading to clogged plumbing. You may be able to have a plumber clear them out, however, most often clogged plumbing leads to replacing drains and pipes.
A filtration system helps prevent this buildup and clogged plumbing. It consists of a tank that the wastewater from your washout booth flows into during the screen reclaim process before it enters your drain. Inside the tank is a reusable micron mesh bag filter that traps the solids. The filtered water then flows out of the tank and into your drain.
The solids caught in the bag filter might be bits of emulsion, ink solids, or gunk from tapes. Over time, these solids can build up on pipe and drain sides, eventually leading to clogged plumbing. A filtration system grabs them before they cause harm.
Easy tip: Inspect your filter bag from time to time for buildup or clogs. If you see the mesh holes getting gunked up, it's time to deep clean or replace that bag.
Why is a filtration system needed for your screen room?
It's time to invest in a filtration system if you notice any of these signs:
- You've been finding your drains are starting to get clogged more often lately.
- The city you're located in has regulations about what can and can't be poured down the drains. (Breaking those rules can lead to some hefty fines.)
- You want to be proactive and make sure your shop stays compliant with all the environmental regulations. (This could mean that you’re paying an additional fee for a maintenance cleaning service.)
- Your screen printing business is growing quickly, and you need an efficient system that can keep up with the high number of screens you're cleaning every day.
Should you rely on DIY filtration alternatives?
Look, we get it — when you've got a shop to run, keeping your print production moving is priority one. Who has time to stress about drainage and wastewater when there are orders to fill?
But while DIY solutions like sticking a screen over your sink might seem like an easy, money-saving fix, trust us that half-baked filtration won't do the job long-term. Those makeshift screens will get overwhelmed by the gunk and debris from your process, sending all those nasty solids straight into your pipes before you can blink.
The small upfront investment of dialing in proper filtration is nothing compared to the major headaches (and repair bills) down the line if you try to cut corners. In the long run, taking the time to install a proper filtration system will save you big time stress, money, and mess.
The benefits of screen filtration
There are some major benefits that come with investing in a quality filtration system, including:
Save some money
Filtration helps avoid pricey plumbing repairs and potential fines down the road by catching solids before they clog up your drains. That money you save on repairs can be invested back into your business. Cha-ching!
Speed things up
Clogged drains mean stopping to unclog pipes, which can kill productivity. Filtration removes those problematic solids so your workflow can keep cruising without annoying stops and starts.
Stay compliant
Depending on local rules, letting ink, emulsion, and other solids flow into drains can lead to fines.
Do your part for the planet
Filtration catches harmful solids instead of letting them flow into the water system or environment. It's a small but meaningful way to make your operations a little more eco-friendly.
Finding the right filtration system for your screen drain
When it comes to picking the perfect filtration system for your screen printing shop, Easiway has you covered. We offer two main models designed to match different production volumes and needs:
EDF-100
The EDF-100 filtration system is ideal for small to medium-sized operations. This compact unit provides efficient and effective filtration for shops producing lighter volumes.
With its smaller size and capacity, the EDF-100 is a great fit for businesses that reclaim 25-40 screens per day. It delivers robust filtration without requiring a large footprint or investment.
EDF-200
For medium to high-volume shops that reclaim 50+ screens daily, we recommend the larger EDF-200 filtration system.
Like the EDF-100, this unit provides efficient and effective filtration, preventing harmful waste from entering your drain.
Both units are made out of chemical-resistant polypropylene and allow for quick draining from the lower baffle tank. If your drain is higher than the provided drain fitting on the unit or if you're a large-volume user, it's recommended to place a sump pump in the front holding tank for quicker draining.
Easy tip: Don't wait for a blowout! Plan to replace your filter bags every 2 months as routine maintenance.
Easiway has you covered for smooth filtration
We want your shop's wastewater running cleanly so you can focus on printing. No matter your production level, our team can guide you in selecting the filtration system and replacement filter bags that will optimize your efficiency.