Flexo Concepts Launches MicroClean™ Anilox Roll Cleaning Service

PLYMOUTH, Mass.—Flexo Concepts, manufacturers of dry MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems and TruPoint™ plastic and composite doctor blades, announced the official launch of its MicroClean Anilox Roll Cleaning Service. The service is available to flexographic and offset printers who wish to clean their anilox rolls off-press to maintain uptime without investing in the cleaning equipment.

To use the service, rolls are sent to Flexo Concepts’ Plymouth, Mass. headquarters where they are deep-cleaned using the company’s MicroClean™ anilox cleaning equipment. The clean rolls are then returned to the customer within several days to be placed back into inventory for future use. As part of the service, the customer receives a roll analysis report, which includes microphotographs of the cells before and after cleaning, as well as critical cell dimensions such as volume, depth, opening, and wall thickness.

Tara Aubut, Customer Service Manager for Flexo Concepts, sees the service as a good complement to the company’s existing line of MicroClean equipment. “The roll cleaning service allows us to offer the MicroClean technology to printers who can’t make the investment in the equipment. Offset printers with anilox tower coaters are a perfect example; they tend to clean rolls by hand, typically have a small anilox inventory, and often can’t justify the expense of bringing a machine in-house.” She noted that printers have also used the service as a way to test the effectiveness of the equipment before purchasing a MicroClean machine.

“The fact that we can clean a roll in 1-2 days and return it to the customer quickly is an important benefit,” continued Aubut. “Customers who have used the service appreciate the fact that we not only restore the cells to like-new condition in a matter of days, but we do it at a fraction of the cost to re-engrave or replace the roll.”

It is widely agreed by industry experts that plugged anilox cells have a direct negative impact on product quality. Clean anilox cells are necessary to deliver a predictable and consistent volume of ink or coating to the substrate. Anilox manufacturers typically recommend a regular cleaning regimen which includes light daily cleaning in conjunction with periodic deep cleanings to ensure product consistency, minimize costs, and prolong anilox life.

For more information about the MicroClean Anilox Roll Cleaning Service, visit www.flexoconcepts.com/services/.