Fluid Movements

Suppliers maintain doctor blades—particularly chambered systems—hold not only quality but also operational advantages over two-roll systems.

A doctor blade system is not speed-sensitive, Burie notes, while a two-roll system will vary its fluid laydown depending on operating speed, due to hydraulic forces between the rubber roll and the anilox or gravure roll. The force of the fluid being pushed through the nip will actually deflect the rubber roll and cause inconsistent laydown.