Executive Forum: Anilox Roll Engraving

Mechanical engravings are also suited for situations that are predisposed to a high rate of roll damage. In this case, the expectation is that the rolls will become damaged long before they would wear out, so there is little justification for the added cost of laser-engraved anilox rolls.

While mechanical engravings may have a lower initial cost, the cost advantage quickly dissolves once the rolls are run against a doctor blade. In bladed applications, the laser-engraved ceramic roll tends to outlast the mechanical engraving by two to five times or more. The added durability yields a lower total cost of ownership. Combined with the vast improvements in print quality and consistency, as well as reduced makeready costs, the laser-engraved ceramic is by far the superior value. Lessing—Mechanical anilox rolls have, for the most part in flexographic printing, fallen behind laser rolls; we estimate that they account for 5 percent or less in the North American marketplace. This is due to a laser roll’s superiority in print capability (finer linescreens, better density); life expectancy (a laser roll will outlast a chrome roll at least 5:1 if well maintained); and price (a laser roll 10 years ago was five times the price of a chrome roll, now in many cases, and depending on the supplier, it can be as low as twice or even less).