Custom Fabrication of a Wet Bench System for Acid Etching
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The Art Institute of Chicago contacted our experts at PKG Equipment Inc. about designing and fabricating a custom wet bench system for their school. This system is used for printmaking in the acid room at the etching shop. The bench system is comprised of four modules with total of six etch tank inserts with covers, three sinks, and three ventilation hoods with exhaust connections. Sidewalls, inserts, covers, and ventilation hoods are constructed of white homopolymer polypropylene. Sinks, countertops, and backsplashes are made of black copolymer polypropylene with stainless steel supports.
All modules feature sliding doors, and two modules feature pull out style removable drip trays under all sinks and inserts. The PVC piping water feed is equipped with true union ball valves to allow repair or replacement of the main valve body without disrupting the piping system. Sinks have 1 ½" NPT drains and are equipped with laboratory style wash down sprayers featuring flexible spray hoses and lever action spray heads.
We previously fabricated a similar wet bench system for The Rochester Institute of Technology. Photos of this system can be seen in the book "The Contemporary Printmaker: Intaglio-Type & Acrylic Resist Etching" written by Keith Howard, who is considered to be the foremost authority in the field of non-toxic intaglio printmaking. For more information about this custom wet bench system fabrication project, see the table below, or contact us directly.
Highlights of this Custom Wet Bench System Project
- Project Description
- PKG Equipment Inc. designed and fabricated a wet bench system for the Print Media Department at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago to be used in an etching shop acid room for printmaking.
- Product Name
- Etching Shop Acid Room Wet Bench System
- Dimensions
- Left Hand Module:
Length: 110"
Width: 44"
Height: 44"- (2) 24" x 24" x 12" deep sinks
- (2) 4" x 20" x 28" deep etch tank inserts
- (2) 6" x 14" x 20" deep etch tank inserts
- (1) 61" long ventilation hood w/ 5" x 12" exhaust connection
- (1) 49" long ventilation hood w/ 5" x 12" exhaust connection
Right Hand Module:
Length: 110"
Width: 44"
Height: 44"- (1) 42" x 32" x 6" deep etch tank insert
- (1) 68" long ventilation hood w/ 5" x 28" exhaust connection
West Wall Module:
Length: 46"
Width: 22"
Height: 39"- (1) 42" x 6" x 34" deep etch tank insert
South Wall Module:
Length: 120"
Width: 44"
Height: 39"- (1) 48" x 32" x 12" deep sink
- Material Used
- Sidewalls, Inserts & Covers: white homopolymer polypropylene
Ventilation Hoods: white homopolymer polypropylene
Sinks & Wet Bench Tops with Backsplash: black copolymer polypropylene
Supports for Sinks & Tank Inserts: stainless steel
Piping: PVC
- Features
- Modules equipped with:
- Sliding doors
- Removable, pull out, drip trays under sinks & inserts
- PVC piped water feeds equipped w/ true union ball valves
- Covers for tank inserts
Sinks- Laboratory style wash down sprayer w/ flexible spray hose & lever action spray head
- 1½" NPT drains
Hoods- Integral to benches
- Industry for Use
- Artistic Printmaking