1. When changing products, the screen roller was not cleaned thoroughly. 2. After long-term shutdown, the screen roller was not cleaned in time. 3. The ink dried too quickly.
Therefore, to ensure the precise transfer of ink volume, the screen roller must be cleaned properly.
The Cleaning of the Anilox Rollers Is Divided into Daily Cleaning and Periodic Cleaning
Daily cleaning is carried out immediately after the machine stops, on the screen rollers. This can effectively prevent ink from drying and sticking to the mesh holes (using water or cleaning agent). For screen rollers with severely clogged mesh holes, periodic cleaning will be more effective (using cleaning agent, steel wire brush, and ultrasonic waves).
Cleaning Method for Ceramic Mesh Rollers: Chemical Solvent Brushing Method
Apply the chemical solvent (special cleaning solution) onto the surface of the mesh roller, and then use a sponge or steel wire brush for scrubbing. Select an appropriate fine brush according to the material of the mesh roller (steel wire brush for ceramic mesh rollers, copper wire brush for metal mesh rollers). In case of severe blockage, after applying the chemical solvent, wrap the entire roller with a film and leave it for 1-2 hours. Then, proceed with the scrubbing. This process can be repeated.
This method is only suitable for cleaning mesh rollers with low wire count. The advantages are low cost, convenient cleaning, and no environmental pollution; the disadvantages are that it cannot thoroughly clean the ink cavities, so the cleaning is not thorough, and it is difficult to remove the dirt and accumulated ink at the bottom of the mesh cavities. Therefore, it cannot restore the effective ink cavity volume.
Cleaning Method for Ceramic Mesh Rollers: Ultrasonic (Soaking) Cleaning Method
Immerse the mesh roller in a tank filled with chemical cleaning solution in an ultrasonic cleaning system. The frequency converter in the tank sends high-frequency sound waves, causing the solution to vibrate and generating bubbles. Under the combined resonance effect of the solution's vibration and the directional explosion of the bubbles, the dry ink, resin, and coating material in the mesh cavities escape from the mesh cavities and flow away with the cleaning liquid. The cleaning time depends on the size of the roller and the degree of ink blockage, and generally requires 0.5 to 8 hours.
During this period, the mesh roller is constantly subjected to high-frequency ultrasonic vibration, which will damage the ceramic layer and cause certain damage to the mesh cavities and inner walls of the mesh roller. It is recommended that customers use multiple bubbles and less strikes to soften and detach the ink that is blocked in the mesh cavities layer by layer.
The Current Common Cleaning Methods and Inspection Methods for the Anilox Rollers
1. Daily cleaning with wire brushes and special cleaning agents. 2. Periodic cleaning by ultrasonic waves. 3. Detection using a 400x microscope or AniCAM cell inspection equipment.
