Executive Forum: Anilox Roll Engraving

pP: What technology developments are in the works that could provide further improvements to the performance of anilox roll engraving and/or anilox roll performance?

Burgess—Pamarco is focusing its resources on the ceramic coating and laser-engraving technology. The chrome oxide ceramic coating is a key ingredient in the development of the anilox roll particularly as we push the screen counts higher and higher. The ceramic must be a very hard, dense, homogeneous layer with a minimum level of porosity, yet still be engravable. Pamarco has installed a unique coating system into the U.S., which actually will produce a coating that produces hardnesses in excess of 1,400 Vickers (1,150 and above is the industry-stated standard) with density and porosity readings well below the industry standard 2 percent level.