This unit operation simulates a printing process, a common step in packaging operations. A finite amount of bulk ink is used to print a label on a discrete entity. The flowrate of either the ink line (top stream) or the entity line (bottom stream) is adjusted by the program to synchronize the flowrates of the two input streams. The demand for ink is calculated based on the amount of ink required per print which is specified by the user.
If the equipment size option is in Design Mode and the operating throughput exceeds the maximum throughput, then, the program assumes multiple, identical units operating in parallel with an operating throughput of less than the maximum. If the equipment size option is in Rating Mode and the operating throughput exceeds the rated throughput of the step (which is equal to the rated throughput of each unit times the number of units), a warning message is displayed advising the user to increase the number of units or reduce the operating throughput.
To account for electricity consumption, the user can either specify the power demand (in kW) or the specific power requirement (in kW/parts-min). In the second case, the specific power requirement times the operating throughput yields the power consumption.
The interface of this operation has the following tabs:
● Oper. Cond’s, see Printing: Oper. Conds Tab
● Utilities, see Discrete Throughput Operations: Utilities Tab
● Labor, etc, see Operations Dialog: Labor etc. Tab
● Description, see Operations Dialog: Description Tab
● Batch Sheet, see Operations Dialog: Batch Sheet Tab
● Scheduling, see Operations Dialog: Scheduling Tab