Systems and methods for automatically cleaning converters with heated fluids

A method of cleaning ink from components of a converter configured for manufacture of printed material, the method including the steps of:

• providing a supply of a cleaning fluid;
• providing a supply of a rinsing fluid;
• providing a heating unit for heating the cleaning fluid to form a heated cleaning fluid;
• providing a heated cleaning fluid transport circuit extending around the converter for continuous circulation of the heated cleaning fluid around the converter;
• providing a rinsing fluid transport line for delivery of the rinsing fluid to the converter, said rinsing fluid transport line providing a flow path for the rinsing fluid to flow to the converter, the flow path being separate to the heated cleaning fluid transport circuit;
• connecting the heating unit to the heated cleaning fluid transport circuit;
• connecting the heated cleaning fluid transport circuit to the converter to enable delivery of the heated cleaning fluid to the converter;
• providing a controllable heated cleaning fluid valve for delivery of the heated cleaning fluid to the converter, and providing a controllable rinsing fluid valve for delivery of the rinsing fluid to the converter;
• providing a controller for recognizing a rinsing fluid delivery condition and a heated cleaning fluid delivery condition and for controlling delivery of a sequence of the rinsing fluid and the heated cleaning fluid to the converter;
• wherein the heated cleaning fluid is continuously circulated through the heated cleaning fluid transport circuit to be continuously available for delivery to the converter while the converter is operating;
• and
• wherein the heated cleaning fluid transport circuit is positioned proximate to the converter such that the heated cleaning fluid is able to be delivered to the converter within a predetermined time after the controller recognizes the heated cleaning fluid delivery condition.