Anilox Selection

MEMO:
ANILOX ROLL SELECTION GUIDE
In order to specify an anilox roll for a new machine order or replacement we

require three specifications:
1. Anilox Roll Screen Angle
2. Anilox Roll Linescreen Count
3. Theoretical (Arithmetical) Transfer Volume
We recommend laser engraved, ceramic coated anilox rolls for all
applications. For higher width machines, or where fast and easy change of
anilox rolls is desired, carbon fibre core anilox rolls should be considered.
1. Anilox Roll Screen Angle
The screen angle in degrees refers to the spacial arrangement of the anilox
roll cells to each other. There are three angles available today: 30 o, 45o and
60o. According to a study by the Flexo Quality Consortium, Research
Foundation of the FFTA, the screen angle does not influence print quality.
However, the different cell orientation towards the rotation direction of a 60 o
anilox roll does allow for easier clean up (due to cavitation...) and the better
distribution of land area in the roll reduces doctor blade wear. 60 o angle
therefore is standard spec at most OEMs.
If customers do print screen and screen-process work, care must be taken,
that screen angles of aniloxes do not coincide with screen angles of screen
art. With preexisting art it may be necessary to select a different angle anilox
roll. Very rare.
2. Anilox Roll Line screen Count
The line screen count indicates the number of cells per lineal inch or lineal
centimeter (lpi or l/cm). Where customers print screen and screen-process
art it is recommended that an anilox roll screen count of four times (4x) the
maximum, finest artwork screen count is selected. 65 lpi process = 250 lpi
anilox; 85 lpi process = 330 / 360 lpi anilox; 100 lpi process = 400 lpi anilox.
24 l/cm art = 100 l/cm anilox; 32 l/cm art = 130 l/cm anilox ...etc..
Attention! Finer (higher) anilox roll line screens limit selection of maximum
transfer volume and make it ever harder to clean the anilox roll thoroughly!!
In most cases a fine balance of screen count and transfer volume must be
found. This can only be performed by an experienced product manager or
consultant.
If no screen art printing is required, an anilox roll with screen count of 100
l/cm or 250 lpi will secure an even ink film. Coarser
81996 Chris Heusch
MEMO:
ANILOX ROLL SELECTION GUIDE cont'd
anilox rolls lack finesse of ink distribution.

3. Theoretical Anilox Roll Transfer Volume
The theoretical transfer volume, expressed in billions of cubic microns per
square inch (bcm/in2 or simply bcm) or cubic centimeters per square meter
(cm3/m2 or gsm), indicates the amount of ink carried in the anilox roll cells.
How much of this ink (or more) is actually transferred to the printing plate,
greatly depends on the metering system, printing ink qualities and printing
plate material. Varying amounts of ink are required to cover different
substrates. A minimum thickness of inkfilm must be maintained for desired
coverage, color intensity and gloss; with increasing inkfilm thickness print
sharpness decreases, however.
Again, a recommendation taking all these factors into account can only be
made by an experienced product manager or consultant.
Herewith some careful indications:
C-flute, porous brown kraft, standard American inks, chambered doctor blade
with graphite impregnated, fiberglass blade and photo polymer printing
plates requires a theoretical anilox roll transfer volume of around 7.2 bcm or
11.2 gsm. (Probably 250 lpi)
C-, B- and E- flute, hi hold out brown kraft (IP colorbrite), high smoothness
mottled and white top kraft, with same inks, metering system and plates
requires about 6.0 - 7.0 bcm or 9.3 - 10.8 gsm. (Probably 280 - 330 lpi)
Hi-holdout, calandered white kraft (CIP 80 brite) and lo grammage coated
liners (Temboard Flexprint, KemiLite, RiegerLite) under same circumstances
require much lower volumes of 4.0 - 5.5 bcm or 6.2 - 8.5 gsm. (Probably 300
- 440 lpi)
Remember: if screen or screen process printing is expected, screen ruling
must be chosen according to expected artwork screen count.
cH, Finksburg, February 08, 1996
this: consult/techmemo/aniloxselection
81996 Chris Heusch

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MEMO:

ANILOX ROLL SELECTION GUIDE

In order to specify an anilox roll for a new machine order or replacement we

ANILOX ROLL SELECTION GUIDE cont'd

anilox rolls lack finesse of ink distribution.

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