Sharing Experiences on the Selection, Usage, and Maintenance of Printing Machine Rubber Rollers

Posted on 05-20-2024 by

1. Selection and Management of Rubber Rollers

In response to the two failures caused by rubber rollers, the following countermeasures are proposed:

Research and compare the product quality of several rubber roller manufacturers, choosing those with good and stable quality at a high cost-performance ratio, rather than selecting based on low prices.

Establish strict acceptance standards, using micrometers and calipers to rigorously measure the purchased rubber rollers, ensuring no defective products are mixed in. This prevents significant time wastage and major losses due to printing machine failures.

Implement penalties for non-compliant rubber rollers to serve as a warning for the materials department and rubber roller manufacturers.

2. Usage of Rubber Rollers

Before printing, check for any foreign objects between the rollers, ensure the rubber rollers are intact, and confirm the pressure between rollers is uniform. Clean and polish the rollers before starting the printing process.

During printing, the rubber rollers should always maintain good contact and uniform pressure. Regardless of the print size, the entire surface of the rubber roller should be lubricated with ink or dampening solution. Adjust the amount of accumulated ink and water between the rollers as needed to ensure print quality.

To prevent ink from drying too quickly, which can reduce the tackiness of the rubber rollers and cause surface crusting, control the amount of drier added to the ink. This prevents the rubber rollers from failing to pick up ink or transferring ink unevenly.

After printing, promptly separate the rollers from each other and the printing plate to remove load pressure, preventing deformation due to static pressure. Clean the surface of the rubber rollers immediately to remove any residual ink, preventing it from drying and forming ink blocks, ink films, and dirt that can damage the roller surface during the next operation.

3. Maintenance of Rubber Rollers

In actual production, rubber roller maintenance is often neglected, leading to shortened lifespan, increased repair costs, and difficulties in improving print quality. Therefore, proper maintenance of rubber rollers is crucial.

Newly Cast Rubber Rollers: Do not use newly cast rubber rollers immediately as their internal structure is not yet stable. Allow them to sit for a period to adapt to the external temperature and humidity, which increases the elasticity of the rubber and enhances durability.

Lubrication of Bearings and Axle Heads: The precision of the bearings and axle heads directly affects the ink transfer and distribution. Poor lubrication can cause wear, leading to uneven ink distribution. Regularly lubricate the axle heads and bearings to prevent wear and ensure normal operation.

Idle Rotation Protection: For ink rollers without an ink path clutch device, apply idle rotation protection agent during idle states to prevent damage from overheating. The effective period of this agent is typically 16 hours, so reapply it after this period.

Proper Storage of Idle Rubber Rollers: When not in use, wrap the rubber rollers in paper or plastic and support both ends to keep them in a stress-free state. Do not stack them together or lean them against walls to avoid damage. Store them in a cool, ventilated room with a temperature of 10–30°C and relative humidity of 50%–80%. During transport to processing plants for recasting, handle with care to maintain the integrity of the roller core, ensuring it remains concentric and unbent for normal use after refurbishment.