ATTENDING TO ANILOXES
Anilox experts recommend their top handling procedures for optimum roll performance.
compiled by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor
• APPLY the proper amount of doctor blade pressure, BECAUSE excessive pressure prevents the anilox from delivering correct ink amount.
-Brian Jacob, EVP/sales and marketing, Pamarco
• REMOVE roll's protective wrap by hand, BECAUSE using a razor blade to cut through protective wrap might result in cell damage if excessive pressure is applied.
-Art Ehrenberg, VP/operations, Harper Corp.
• LOCK down gears evenly, BECAUSE even lock-down prevents broken anilox journals.
-Wendy Rooks, sales manager, CTS Industries
• ESTABLISH careful gear/bearing installation procedures, BECAUSE wiping bearing races and shaft bearing surfaces, and applying a very thin film of light oil to matting surfaces, makes for a smooth installation and avoids anilox damage.
-Art Ehrenberg
• USE appropriate tools for roll removal from press, BECAUSE using bearing and gear pullers (rather than beating components off the shaft) prevents dings and journal bending out of running tolerance.
-Art Ehrenberg
• CLEAN the roller before ink dries, BECAUSE failure to clean a roll after use will result in dried ink accumulating in the bottom of the individual laser-engraved cells, eventually making it impossible to achieve the volume to which the roller was intended.
-Mike McPherron, operations mgr., Praxair Surface Technologies
• IMPLEMENT a strict maintenance roster for the roll cleaning system, BECAUSE doing so leads to longer anilox life. Use press wash to remove the majority of ink from the roll before placing it in the cleaning system. Regularly replace spent chemistry with fresh solution and rinse any residue from the tank.
- David Lanska, regional anilox sales manager, Stork Cellramic Inc.
• PLACE a media blast system in an area with normal to low humidity levels, BECAUSE locating the system in a highly humid environment can cause the media to clump and strike the roll face with inconsistent intensity.
-David Lanska
• AVOID cleaning chemicals containing overly harsh properties, BECAUSE caustic/acidic elements deteriorate anilox subsurfaces, leading to corrosive build-up, or "blistering."
-Art Ehrenberg
• DON'T leave rolls in an ultrasonic cleaning system for excessive lengths of time, or cycle after cycle, BECAUSE prolonged exposure to cavitation degrades the wall structure.
-David Lanska
• KEEP a close eye on settings in a media blast process, BECAUSE increasing air pressure, decreasing nozzle traverse, or decreasing the roll rotation speed between recommended levels leads to excessive exposure to the blast process.
-David Lanska
• TAKE care to prevent edge roll damage, BECAUSE once roll edges are chipped, seal wear accelerates, leading to doctor blade wear or ink slinging. Protect ink roll ends with roll covers, or apply an edge radius to the roll prior to engraving (localize the engraving).
-Mike McPherron
• APPLY appropriate plate impression force on press, BECAUSE excessive pressure used to achieve better doctoring action puts tremendous strain on journals, and can result in bending, metal fatigue, and fractures. Some printers overimpress in an attempt to overcompensate for anilox cells not bringing up enough density.
-David Lanska
