As much as we would like it to be, the simple fact is that rollers do not last forever. The roller surface and rubber composition change, they become glazed in appearance and their Shore hardness increases. Contamination can occur in many ways - by using inferior washes, calcium build up from paper, powder spray, water supply, gums and additives from fountain solutions and press sundries. These things do happen - nothing lasts forever but there is a lot you can do to prolong the life of your rollers and achieve greater efficiency in production and cost savings. 

1. THE INKING ROLLER – ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT LINKS IN THE PRINTING
PROCESS.

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The Inking Roller - One of the most
important links in the printing
process.
• As much as we would like it to be, the simple fact is that rollers do not last forever.
The roller surface and rubber composition change, they become glazed in
appearance and their Shore hardness increases. Contamination can occur in many
ways:
by using inferior washes
calcium build up from paper
powder spray
water supply
gums and additives from fountain solutions

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The Inking Roller - One of the most
important links in the printing process.
(cont’d)
• These things do happen - nothing lasts forever but there is a lot you can do to prolong
the life of your rollers and achieve greater efficiency in production and cost savings.

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WHAT TO DO?
• The use of a premium wash such as Superdot Blanket and Roller Wash 60 is a
basis for longer roller life. Combined with Superdot Cleaning Paste for color change
and Superdot Calcium Remover, used periodically, roller quality will be maintained
for a longer period. It should be noted that Calcium Wash should be removed with
water only. (Refer to operator manual, for the manual wash-up procedure.) .

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WHAT TO DO? (cont’d)
• Check the condition of your wash up blade and ensure that the pressure contact is
even by laying the blade edge on a flat surface.
• Confirm contact along its entirety, and if contact is not uniform, adjust the blade or
replace it. If your blade is faulty wash residue can be left in the roller train causing
contamination.

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• Hint: Place a strip of cloth tape 5mm lower than the rubber section, fit it across the
entire length of the blade, and spray the internal catchment area of the wash up tray
with stop set. This will assist with cleaning out of the unit. Wipe the rubber section
of the washup blade after every wash.
• Regular inspection of the spray tubes on your automatic system will ensure even
distribution. Spray tubes are located at the top of each printing unit. Check for
blockages by clearing outlets with a paper clip or stitching wire. Check the spill tray
located directly under the spray tubes as these can become full and overflow causing
a stripping action of the ink to the roller surface.

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Finally check the water tray regularly. The meter roller and water pan rollers can easily
be removed with out fear of changing roller settings. The water sensor can be found on
the drive side of the tray; this can easily be unclipped from its housing allowing for the
removal of the water flow tube and dam gate frame. This will lift out of the tray allowing
for easy access to clean the water tray of debris such as ink built up and calcium
powder.

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CONTACT US
Rajendra.Prasad@heidelberg.com
www.heidelberg.com

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