Page 44 - Training 2019

PRE-CUT TO LENGTH DOCTOR BLADES:
Correctly pre-cut doctor blades help prevent chamber seal leaks, reduces
the risk of wear on the anilox and avoids premature doctor blade wear.
Blade size and installation can also play a role in chamber leaks.

If the doctor blade is not cut to the correct length it will cause leaks and
the end seal will not fit correctly. The doctor blade needs to be cut to the
centre of the end seal. Most operators cut the doctor blade from end to
end. This is incorrect and will cause leaking problems and require more
added pressure on the anilox roller and doctor blade.

SETTING UP OF THE CHAMBER BLADE UNIT:
For the Doctor Blade to wipe ink off of the top of the cell walls of the
Anilox Roll consistently and effectively the blade holding device must be
properly aligned to the Anilox roll. Misalignment can affect the blade
Contact Angle and the amount of loading force necessary to make the
doctor blade meter adequately. Since most doctor blades are made from
thin flexible materials, they will conform to the roll surface (aligned or
not), given enough loading force. In the unaligned case, the blade
pressure is steadily increased to wipe the remainder of the Anilox roll
clean. Excessive blade pressure resulting from misalignment, can shorten
the blade life, cause blade burring and even score the Anilox roll. If the

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CHAMBER BLADE END SEALS TRAINING MANUAL
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Updated - 24 June 2019