One of the most common print defects that customers report to our Technical Solutions Group is dirty print. While this print defect lends itself to a host of root causes, interestingly it is one of the most basic operations of the press optimization. When BC dryers are not balanced, air can blow on the anilox … Read More...
All posts by Tim Reece
Today's Anilox Roll Cleaning Currently, and for the past several years, we have used four primary means of cleaning anilox rolls. We have hand cleaned using stainless steel brushes and primarily caustic chemicals, ultrasonic, media blasting which limits certain line counts on anilox rolls based on the particulate size of the media. Most recently we … Read More...
PLATE/PRINT ANALYSIS “The TSG Difference” All Printing Resources' TSG (Technical Solutions Group) is excited to offer what is the most advanced print analysis available in our industry today, and no doubt will show another example and level of differentiation of TeamFlexo. Obviously samples sent to us for evaluation can be labeled in whatever form you … Read More...
APR's Technical Solutions Group (TSG) prides ourselves in not just quoting equipment and providing solution based consumables, but making it a point to thoroughly understand a customer’s needs and goals. As water wash plate technologies continue to evolve into a viable competitor to solvent and thermal processing through improved print quality and longevity; chemists developing … Read More...
One of the most difficult questions to answer in our industry is, “How long should my plate last?” Or, in other words, “How many feet should I expect to get out of my photopolymer plates?” Considering the number of factors that must be taken into consideration, certainly anyone faced with this question should hesitate at … Read More...
Our Technical Solutions Group (TSG) is often contacted by photopolymer platemakers reporting an inconsistent floor. Typically, they measure the lamp output with a UV-A meter and see that the exposure bed is fairly consistent. They don't understand why early in the day things seem to be fine, but as several exposure cycles are performed, the … Read More...
While safety is always at the top of our customer's priority list, often OSHA rules and regulations are not so clear-cut to some of our customer's or at least the individuals working in the production environment. Generally speaking it is APR's focus to provide new innovative ideas and products to make the printers life easier, more … Read More...
While participating in a new press characterization, the customer reported they have been struggling with is variable SID (Solid Ink Density) across the web, however DOT gain is very consistent side to side. What this tells me is that while there may be parallelism between the rollers, i.e. anilox, plate sleeve, and CI (central impression … Read More...
Ink Density, A Universal Problem I can't imagine asking a printer if they ever struggle with achieving color or solid ink density (SID) during a press set up, and they reply with a "no". They would probably be much more likely to roll their eyes and asked me if that was a rhetorical question. The … Read More...
Viscosity and surface tension are two physical characteristics of liquid. Viscosity is simply the measurement of how resistant to flow a liquid is, while surface tension is defined as the resistance a surface to liquid penetration. Viscosity and surface tension are affected by temperature changes. Understanding and controlling ink viscosity remains one of the most significant variables and flexo printing process. … Read More...