You might already know but, what is an anilox really?

An anilox roller is designed to control the precise amount of ink transferred during the printing process. The roller, usually made from steel or aluminum, is coated with ceramic and features millions of tiny, engraved cells. These cells hold a controlled amount of ink and transfer it to the printing plate.

The role of the anilox is to regulate ink distribution with precision, ensuring consistency across all printed materials, whether you are printing labels, packaging, or other types of products.

How does an anilox roller work?

The functionality of an anilox roller can be broken down into several steps:

1. Ink collection: The roller rotates through a reservoir of ink, and the engraved cells on its surface capture a specific volume of ink.
2. Doctor blade application: A doctor blade removes excess ink from the surface of the roller, leaving ink only inside the cells.
3. Ink transfer: The roller meets the printing plate, transferring the ink from its cells onto the plate.
4. Impression: The printing plate then transfers the ink onto the material being printed on, completing the printing process.

 Proper anilox maintenance

To maintain the effectiveness and long-lasting durability of an anilox roller, regular cleaning is important. Downtime, dried ink, and coatings can clog the cells, significantly reducing the roller’s capacity to hold and transfer ink correctly. Clogged anilox cells can lead to poor print quality, uneven ink distribution, and production inefficiencies.

There are different cleaning systems designed to keep anilox rollers at optimal performance. Advanced technology is used to remove ink and waste without damaging the delicate structure of the anilox roller’s cells, such as:

• Liquid Cleaning: Cleaning solutions that dissolve ink and coatings blocked in the anilox cells. High-pressure water jets flush out the dried ink, ensuring thorough cleaning and restoration of the roller’s performance.
• Laser Cleaning: Focused laser beams burn ink and waste from the anilox cells, restoring their capacity without chemicals or liquid solutions. This method is precise and environmentally friendly.
• Manual Cleaning: Brushes and cleaning solutions to scrub ink and remains from the roller’s surface. This is not as efficient as automated methods, manual cleaning is useful for quick touch-ups or in-between runs. Read our blog post about why cleaning anilox with brushes increases downtime.

Why clean anilox rollers?

Regular cleaning ensures that anilox rollers consistently deliver the precise amount of ink, maintaining high print quality. Cleaning helps protect the delicate ceramic coating and engraved cells of your roller, extending its lifespan. Automated and effective cleaning methods minimize the time spent manually scrubbing rollers, allowing for quicker improvement and reduced downtime during production.

An anilox roller plays an important role in the printing industry, and its ability to precisely control the amount of ink transferred to the printing plate makes it a critical component in achieving consistent, high-quality results. However, maintaining a clean anilox is just as important as understanding how it works. Innovative cleaning solutions such as liquid cleaning and laser cleaning ensure your anilox rollers remain in top condition, delivering excellent print quality and efficiency for years.