Lars Holm, Sales Director, Flexo Wash

By Lars Holm, Sales Director, Flexo Wash

Anilox Rolls and Plates- Keep them Clean!

Flexo Wash Based in Aarhus, Denmark

Flexo Wash UK in Leeds– Office, service, consumables stock– Demo van– Narrow Web Sales by PGM, Claus Nielsen

The Anilox Roll

“THE HEART OF THE FLEXO PROCESS!”

Periodic maintenance and care of the anilox is critical to the

converters’ survival !

Plugged Anilox Rolls Cause:

Inadequate ink distribution

Poor color densities

Difficulties matching color

Wasted: time, ink, substrate

Dirty / Damaged Plates cause

Poor print Quality

Remaking of plates

Wasted: time, ink, substrate plates

KEEP CLEAN! Before – “Reactive”:

– Deep clean the anilox when it no longer performs.

Today – “Proactive”:– Clean rolls after each job run– Clean rolls on a regular maintenance schedule– Clean rolls immediately after removal from the

press & before storage– Keep new rolls clean from day #1

WHY IS CLEANING

IMPORTANT NOW?

THERE ARE TWO (2) IMPORTANT REASONS !

1. Management Challenges:PRESSURES AND DEMANDS FROM

CUSTOMERS AND PRINT COMPETITION:

• Shorter job runs• Shorter lead times • More changeover• New technologies – Digital• Lean manufacturing pressures• Pricing pressures from customers• Quality demands - zero defects and waste

2. Technology Challenges: Deeper, smaller cells can exasperate plugging issues.

HD printing plates are more fragile and difficult to clean.

High density cells per inch with 2 micron cell walls make anilox more fragile & susceptible to damage

Pads, abrasive cleaners, brushes etc. are losing their effectiveness and causing damage in the smaller, deeper cells and plates.

Improper handling - Doctor blade scoring &POOR CLEANING METHODS!

Return On Investment How much money do you spend on:

Labour time on manual washing, rinsing, drying?

Downtime because of dirty aniloxes / plates causing incosistent print quality?

Wasted ink and material because of dirty aniloxes / plates causing incosistent print quality?

New plates and aniloxes because of damage by manual washing/handling?

=ROI in less than One Year!

Before Choosing a Cleaning Method:

Is it: Easy to use? Safe? Gentle on the anilox

and plate? Effective? Quick? 100% automatic?

No wear and tear on the rollers (Only liquid, water and air)

Fully automatic (wash, rinse, dry - no manual labour required)

Easy-to-use (Place the rolls, close lid and press start)

Cost-efficient process (EUR 1 per roll)

Quick cleaning process (10-15 minutes full cycle)

A daily tool for roll cleaning

Using Flexo Wash Anilox Cleaning Systems

No wear and tear on the plates

(liquid, soft brushes, water and air)

Fully automatic

(wash, rinse, dry - no manual labour required)

Easy-to-use

(Place the plates from print job on belt and

collect them in tray afterwards)

Cost-efficient process (EUR 0,2-0,3 per plate meter)

Quick cleaning process (3 minutes per plate meter)

Standard application for 1,14 – 1,7mm. plates

Using Flexo Wash Plate Wash Systems

Thank you!