Assessment of the condition of anilox rollers

Abstract

To produce high-quality prints using flexographic printing technology, it is important, among other factors, how accurately and consistently the ink is delivered to the printing plate, and, from there, onto the printed material. This function is performed by anilox rollers. The aim of this research is to investigate the condition of anilox rollers in printing houses in the Baltic states. The study evaluated the wear and cell clogging of anilox rollers. The dependency of clogging on the cell size, as well as the dependency of wear on the cell size (i.e., change in cell volume) and quantity of doctor blades, was investigated. In addition, the uniformity of cell clogging and wear on the surface of the anilox roller was evaluated. Studies have shown that more than half of the anilox rollers in printing houses are not washed properly; higher line screen anilox rollers tend to become more clogged, and it is important to take measurements at more than three locations to assess the reliability of more worn rollers.