Coatings, proper setting of the blade, and properly selecting a doctor blade for your application/press will go a long way toward prolonging the life of the blade.

By Chris Mc Loone

Foley cautions that these blades may affect other components of the press, namely anilox rolls. “A long-life doctor blade can be a very useful tool but not if it is prone to anilox scoring, significantly reducing the effective anilox roll life expectancy.”

Proper use of the blade also provides for the maximum life of the blade. Marc Hahn, vice president of sales and marketing at AAA Press International, Inc. concurs. “Proper setting of the steel blade to the anilox roll will provide maximum life to the blade, but more importantly, to the longevity of ceramic anilox rolls themselves,” he says.