In for a Treat

A common argument against bare rolls is the inefficiency of their fixed-width electrodes, as compared to the adjustable-width electrodes common to covered roll systems, states Ray. He says the argument is "technically correct," but suppliers are "vastly overplaying the cost savings." Ray calculates that in bare-roll, narrow-web applications 5˝ to 20˝, printers who waste 50 percent of treating power to treat a narrower web will pay an average of 6 cents an hour more. In wide-web applications 30˝ to 120˝, the 'wasted' cost to treat a lesser-width web will average 27 cents an hour.