JCTPRINT is Asia's largest anilox roller manufacturer. Focusing on anilox roller innovation for 20 years, we are committed to becoming the world's leading anilox roller supplier.JCTPRINT has 6 major production plants and provides anilox rollers to customers in more than 100 countries around the world. The factories operate 24 hours a day and have a strict quality control system to ensure delivery within 25 days.
This article will introduce to you what anilox rollers are, their applications and how to maintain them.

What is anilox roller?
Anilox rollers are key pieces of equipment used in the printing and coating industries to precisely control the amount of ink, coating, or other fluid delivered to a printing plate or printed material. The main feature of anilox rollers is that their surface is engraved with tiny grooves or grids that hold and transfer precise amounts of ink or paint. Here is a definition of anilox roll and some key features:

Construction: Anilox rollers are typically made of metal such as nickel, chromium, or ceramic. Its surface is carved with tiny grooves, the size and density of which depend on the amount of ink required and the details of the printing.

Function: The anilox roller plays a key role in the printing process. It controls and regulates the transfer amount of ink or paint, affecting the color, brightness and clarity of the printed matter. The design of the anilox roller determines the ink uniformity and detail of the print.

Transfer volume control: The transfer volume of the anilox roller is determined by the depth, width and number of its grooves. These parameters determine how much ink or coating the anilox roller can hold each time it turns, thus affecting the color and tone of the print.

Scope of application: Anilox rollers are widely used in various printing technologies, including flexographic printing, gravure printing, relief printing and coating. Different types of printing equipment and materials require different types and specifications of anilox rollers.
JCTPRINT provides a full range of anilox rollers, including ceramic anilox rollers, anilox roller sleeves, metal anilox rollers, etc. Contact JCTPRINT technical staff for a detailed introduction.

Application of anilox roller
Anilox rollers play an important role in various printing and coating applications. Different printing technologies and applications have different requirements for anilox rollers. The following is an introduction to anilox roller applications and requirements in the fields of wide-format flexo printing, narrow-format flexo printing, corrugated printing, offset printing and coating:

Wide Web Flexo anilox roller

Application requirements: Wide-format flexo printing is often used to produce large-format packaging materials, such as plastic film, paper, etc. The requirements for printed matter include bright colors, high printing clarity, and good ink uniformity.

Anilox roller size requirements: Wide-format flexo printing usually requires larger-sized anilox rollers to accommodate large-format printing needs.

LPI requirements: Cell count in wide web range from 500 to 2,500+ LPI.

Narrow Web Flexo anilox rolle

Application requirements: Narrow-width flexo printing is used to produce narrow-width packaging materials such as labels and stickers. Requirements for printing include bright colors, clear details, and even ink.

Anilox roller size requirements: Compared with wide-width flexo printing, narrow-width flexo printing requires a smaller anilox roller size, which is suitable for printing narrow-width materials.

LPI requirements: Narrow web flexo printing usually requires a higher line count (LPI), Generally requires 500+ LPI.

Corrugated printing anilox roller

Application requirements: Corrugated printing is used to produce corrugated cardboard, which has high requirements for the uniformity and transfer volume of ink.

Anilox roller size requirements: The anilox roller size required for corrugated printing is usually larger to ensure even transfer of ink on the corrugated board surface.

LPI requirements: Usually between 80 LPI and 200 LPI.

Offset printing anilox roller

Application requirements: Offset printing is used to produce high-quality flat prints, such as books, magazines, etc. There are high requirements for color accuracy and printing details.

Anilox roller size requirements: Anilox rollers commonly used in offset printing are larger in size and suitable for large-area printing.

LPI requirements: Offset printing usually requires a higher line count (LPI), generally between 200 LPI and 800 LPI.

Coating anilox roller

Application requirements: Coating is used to apply ink, paint or adhesive to the surface of printing materials. It requires uniform coating and consistent thickness.

Anilox roll size requirements: Anilox roll sizes for coating applications are usually determined based on coating width and thickness requirements, ranging from small to large.

LPI requirements: Coating applications have relatively low LPI requirements, generally between 80 LPI and 200 LPI.

Ceramic anilox roller maintenance

Ceramic anilox rollers are expensive, and the ink transfer quality of the anilox roller directly affects the printing quality, so the anilox roller must be well maintained!

Common problems with ceramic anilox rollers:

1.Bruise

 measure:

1. When replacing the anilox roller, the anilox roller should be replaced to prevent the anilox roller from colliding with hard objects.

2. Use a leather cover to protect the anilox roller when storing it

     If the anilox roller is damaged, the printed matter may be partially smeared or ink accumulated.

2.Mesh clogged

Water-based ink dries up and clumps easily. It dries up and clumps and is insoluble in water.

      The anilox roller must be cleaned effectively in a timely manner.

      Clogged mesh will cause pinholes in the printed matter, partial ink failure, or inaccurate printing.

3.Scratch

symptom:

There will be scratches in the circumferential direction on the surface of the anilox roller, and the mesh will be seriously damaged.

reason:

1. There is a hard object between the scraper and the anilox roller

   ● Metal shavings ● Sand ● Clumped dry ink

2. The scraper is damaged or produces slivers

4.The ceramic layer peels off or becomes packaged

reason:

● The anilox roller base layer is not strong enough

● The aluminum base roller is prone to the ceramic layer falling off or wrapping.

● Caused by solvent corrosion of ink or coating materials

Precaution

● Choose high-quality anilox roller manufacturers

● Try to use steel anilox roller base roller

● Reduce the use of corrosive solvents

● Regularly check the anilox roller surface and mesh conditions

● Anilox roller cleaning and storage

Why should anilox rollers be cleaned

● The anilox roller is not easy to wear. Most of the reasons for the decrease in ink transfer volume are the clogging of the mesh holes.

● If the mesh is blocked for a long time, it will not only affect the amount of ink transfer, but also shorten the service life of the anilox roller.

● Long-term use of clogged anilox rollers will increase ink loss.

● Mesh clogging affects printing quality, and has a greater impact on solid printing and layered color printing.

How to clean anilox rollers?

Daily cleaning

● Clean the anilox roller promptly after shutdown.

● Routine cleaning can prevent the ink from drying up in the mesh.

● Chemical cleaning methods are often used for daily cleaning.

Periodic cleaning

● If the ink dries up in the mesh, it must be cleaned periodically.

● Periodic cleaning can be done using physical methods or deep chemical cleaning agents.