Q-Rail

The Q-Rail was designed specifically for use on High Speed pump and rail ink train systems. Simply stated, the Q-Rail assembly replaces the existing High Speed rail segments found on modern pump-and-rail ink trains.

We use the term “High Speed” rail system in the context that a curved rail segment, typically constructed of machined cast iron, is placed in close proximity to an oscillating roller whose surface speed equals that of the printed web. The ink is moved through these segments and is transferred onto the oscillating drum. As one can imagine, this High Speed transfer of ink is complex and inefficient due to the acceleration of the ink to web speed.

Typical to the existing High Speed transfer is the loss of ink onto the surrounding surfaces adjacent to the rail segments.

The Q-Rail has been designed to completely replace this High Speed rail segment system. The Q-Rail construction places a separately driven, slow moving ink drum in close proximity to the existing High Speed oscillator drum. Onto this slow moving drum (15 RPM fixed), the ink is transferred from a distribution head. The ink transfer zone is moving slowly and therefore the ink clings to the drum resulting in no loss or slinging of ink onto the surrounding structures or web.

The Q-Rail’s slow moving ink drum is adjusted to be in close proximity to the existing oscillator high-speed drum. This close proximity and closing nip point between the Q-Rail drum and the oscillator drum causes a smooth transfer of the ink into the ink train.

The Q-Rail assembly has been designed to replace, without modification, the original cast iron rail and swing frame assembly. The installer simply removes the existing rail assembly and installs the Q-Rail in its place. No modifications to the existing press unit are required as the system has been designed to reuse the original mounting points and fits in the envelope of the original system.

The Q-Rail may be configured for use on a reversing unit or a non-reversing unit. The difference between the two is that the reversing transfer head design allows the slow moving ink drum to operate in clock-wise or counter-clock wise operation depending on unit operation.

The Q-Rail has been designed for use on all types of OEM high-speed ink train systems and is compatible with all types of injection page packs. It is important to note that with the installation of a Q-Rail, not only is the loss of ink from the ink transfer point eliminated but this transfer method also aids in the milling of the ink by adding another “cut” to the ink roller train.