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.
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.
It's time to invest in a filtration system if you notice any of these signs:
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.
There are some major benefits that come with investing in a quality filtration system, including:
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!
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.
Depending on local rules, letting ink, emulsion, and other solids flow into drains can lead to fines.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.