Fluid Agitator

Ultrasonic agitation or sonic agitation would probably do it?

Won't heat cause it to dry out or cure too quickly?

I was thinking of ultrasonic as well. I was looking into using ultrasonic linear actuators to vibrate the inkwell, but I was worried that my cause fractures in the frame of the inkwell. I dont have exact data on the composition of the inkwell, but I do believe actuators would fall under the natural frequency of the frame. The other thing that concerns me is maintenance. The place I work at has very little experience maintaining high precision equipment like an actuator, and since Im an intern, I probably wont be around to trouble-shoot anything.

Play with some old speakers if you don't fancy ultrasomic!

Good choice! And, you can listen to some good music. I like "multitasking".

We have a similar problem in dispensing abrasive materials suspended in oil, the machines either use a mechanical paddle continuously stirring the liquid or hold the container at an angle & continuously rotate it. Both dispense through a pick up pipe that pokes into the top of the container.

Hey, I like the 'angle and rotation' thing, could add tiny little blades like a mini cement mixer....

You could just buy one ready made.

Attach your receptacle to a slowly rotating (preferably reciprocating) shaft. There are ready-made similar devices made for charging automatic watches.

Ive decided to use a small electric motor with a shaft and a small propeller attached. The amount of agitation isnt that much considering the small size of the inkwell ( about 10"L X 8"H X10"W). Its basically a mixer.

Here's another idea. Chemistry labs use a platform (looks like a small electronic scale) that contains a magnet, just beneath the surface, which is driven by a variable speed motor. You place a container of liquid you want to stir on it, and place a plastic capsule in the liquid. The capsule also contains a magnet, and it is rotated by the motorized magnet with no direct physical contact.

Yeah, those are linear stages. I was thinking of using one, but I dont think it would be effective as the ink well is firmly attached to the frame of the printing press.