Spring Cleaning

Media blast

The two most used forms of media blast systems are baking soda and plastic pellets. Blasting works by either placing the anilox in a contained, off-press machine or by enclosing the anilox on-press. Air pressure is then used to propel the media against the roll, which breaks down the anilox deposits and unplugs the cells. "This is a satisfactory method, but must be done with care," said William Jenkins, pressroom team leader at Plastic Packaging (Hickory, N.C.), which uses baking soda blasting as one way it cleans anilox rolls. "Damage can result from excess air pressure and faulty blasting machines. Media blasting works as well as the people who use it."