![]() After the rolls are installed on the press, the covers are then removed by sliding off the roll or by unfastening the Velcro enclosure. “When the rolls are needed, the rolls are moved from storage to the press with the covers intact. “While in storage, many companies leave Andy’s covers on their rolls until the rolls are needed,” explains Phelan. There are a multitude of factors to consider for anilox maintenance, especially once the rolls are in storage. There is no worse feeling for an operator than to find the anilox required for the job is either dirty or damaged and returned to the rack.” Anytime a roller is put back in storage it should be properly cleaned, inspected, covered, and logged of its condition. ![]() This will relate to unwanted downtime and material waste. We must remember that anything on the anilox roller surface, be it contamination, plugged ink or surface blemishes, will surely show up in the print. “This can relate to volume and/or color loss or finding blemishes in the print. “Any contamination or debris can greatly affect the anilox roller performance on-press,” says Teachout. Therefore, the slightest imperfection can be quite costly. This process is all done at a sub-micron level. The anilox roller, by nature, is a precise tool that delivers a predetermined ink film to the substrate. Once any roll cover becomes soiled, it is recommended they are either cleaned or replaced so the engraving surface does not get contaminated with grease, oil, or ink residue.”Īny degradation to the anilox can impact print quality. They also serve well as dust covers and prevent contamination of the roll’s surface from oil, ink, and grease. Their use has saved the industry millions of dollars by protecting rolls from gouges, drag marks, dinks, dents, cracks, and chips. “Andy’s Roll Covers are a soft, thick, pliable vinyl and come padded (Ultima) or unpadded (Standard) with or without edge protection, depending on the roll’s needs and preferences. “Andy’s Roll Covers provide a custom fit first-line of defense that perfectly fits the diameter and face length of the roll or sleeve,” says Jessica Phelan, senior operations manager, Andy’s Roll Covers. According to the company, the covers are cost effective, solvent-resistant, and easy to install. The company offers a wide range of solutions for anilox maintenance care. In other words, many times a roll will get damaged as it is going in and out of the machine.”Īndy’s Roll Covers, a Fort White, FL-based supplier, was established in 1985 to provide impact protection for cylinders in the print, package, and impression industry. The hard plastic covers allow the operators to load the roller into the press (which is a concern for damage) with the cover on. “We strongly recommend that anilox rolls or sleeves are stored in a low traffic area and also covered with either a hard plastic cover or a heavy vinyl cover. “In many cases, if anilox rolls are not stored properly, they could easily get nicked or dropped, which could be prevented if the roller was properly stored and wrapped,” remarks Aaron Lessing, VP of business development, Apex International. ![]() Implementing the proper storage and handling practices will protect your rollers and extend their life.”īut where and how should anilox rolls be stored? There are a number of considerations in preventing damage to these critical tools. “They are very dense, hard materials and are very wear resistant, but they do not like impacts due to the brittle nature of the ceramic. “The ceramic compounds of the roller measure over 1,200 Vickers in hardness,” explains Teachout. Degradation in printing results can often be attributed to improper storage and handling of “the heart of flexo” – the anilox roll.Īccording to Paul Teachout, technical marketing and content specialist, Harper Corporation of America, 80% of the rollers Harper remanufactures are damaged and not warn – and mishandling is a The proper handling of flexographic supplies, such as anilox rolls and plates, is often one of the most overlooked aspects of high-quality label printing.
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