It is most important to take care of your Flexo Printing Machine Parts. If you take good care of your machine, it will last longer than normal and you have the minimum effort to run it.
Multiple-use of the press, cleaning, and exposure to volatile chemicals that weak or damage the flexo printing sleeves. This affects the quality of prints. Here we provide tips for the uninterrupted working of flexo machines for longer times.
Take Care of Flexo Print Sleeves and Plates
The elastomer flexographic printing sleeves are durable and efficient against abrasion, solvents, and inks.
The printing products are mainly manufactured from photopolymer and are vulnerable to Wear, Distortion and Swelling.
Elastomer and photopolymer sleeves and plates will not work properly forever. As they need regular maintenance, storage, and proper cleaning of flexo sleeves. Like, clean the excess ink after one print job and become ready for the next job.
SPEED
As many will take a break after the long printing session. And if the wait for a while can cause damage to the print sleeves and cylinders.
The sleeves and cylinders must immediately clean after removing from the press before the ink is dry and become harden.
Use Proper Cleaning Solution
Clean your flexo sleeves and plates properly. Do not be in a hurry. It is not simple as throwing some ink-dissolving chemicals on it.
There are different cleaning solutions that work fine with different types of inks. As some inks don’t require any volatile chemical to be used.
- What to use for Water-based Inks?
- Isopropyl or industrial alcohol is suitable for rubber types.
- Mild soap of water
- Simply rinse with water
- For Solvent-based inks, oil-based inks, UV-based inks, and electron beam-based inks
Use the appropriate solvent as per the ink type or by a non-volatile wash-up solution
Avoid the use of Abrasion
The attention that, rubber print sleeves are durable but at the same time they have soft surfaces. The harsh cleaning tools and such methods can efface the rubbery surface of elastomer and photopolymer print products. Do not use rough materials like metal or wire when cleaning image carriers.
It is advisable to use a soft-bristled brush to remove excess ink and debris. The natural-hair brushes work well and they made cleaning easy.
Air Dry
The air works magically. Not to use an air hose, as the contaminants in the lines attach with the drying sleeves or plates.
The main purpose of this is to keep the surface clean from debris which affects the printing quality.
Storage
Must have to wait for four hours to store clean sleeves and plates to ensure that solvents and other liquids are evaporated. Also, wrap them with black-backed paper or film to block the ozone and UV lights as they may change the physical properties.
It is very important to store at the right temperature and must have suitable conditions.
- The temperature never should be above 90o F
- The temperature never should be below 32o F
- Limited to no Humidity
- Store far from electric motors and lights which emit ozone.
Temperature plays an important role in the expansion and contraction of the plate and sleeve. When the rise in the temperature, the polymer expands and the thousandth inch can cause the accuracy of the print. If there is colder, the sleeves are contracted and this causes the print quality.
It is good to store sleeves upright. To lay on the side may damage the printing surface. Must use the cushion if placed horizontally.
The nickel or Nickelok sleeves should store in standing on a cushioned surface to protect the ends from damage.
Maintain Flexo Printing Machine Sleeves
If the flexo prints are not maintained properly it causes damage to sleeves, plates, and cylinders. This reduces the lifespan and ends in replacement. If the cleaning and storage are not proper, it leaves debris on it and reduces the print quality.
With the proper care and precautions, the flexo products will work longer and maintain the printing quality.
