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In recent decades, flexo printing machines have risen to prominence and begun to occupy an important position in the field of packaging printing that cannot be ignored. Flexo presses have attracted most companies in the printing industry with their high efficiency, time-saving and great adaptability to materials. Mastering the operation process and maintenance methods of flexo printing presses is an inevitable and compulsory course for workers who see flexographic printers for the first time.

Mengji CI Flexo Printing Machine

This article will introduce in detail how to quickly master the operation essentials of flexo printing presses from the aspects of learn the working principle and structure, be familiar with the usage steps, distinguish the applicable printing materials, and regular cleaning and maintenance, so as to help operators quickly familiarize themselves with the flexo printing machines and improve production efficiency.

Learn the Working Principle and Structure

Structure and working principle of flexo printing machine may seem complex, but as long as one by one to distinguish and sort out will be able to easily understand. Unwinding unit, ink supply system, printing unit, drying system and rewinding unit are the main components of each flexo press.

The printing unit, generally regarded as the most critical part of the flexographic printing machine, consists of the printing roller, plate roller, anilox roller, doctor blade and ink transfer roller.

Printing Unit of Flexo Printing Press

The ink is evenly distributed on the raised part of the plate roller through the anilox roller. The ink on the raised part of the plate roller is embossed onto the substrate due to the printing pressure exerted by the printing roller. This step completes the printing of the graphic pattern and is the key link in the work of a flexo printing machine.

The drying system can quickly dry the ink after printing on the substrate, prevent ink haloing, improve and ensure the printing quality. Nowadays, the flexo printing machine on the market can be equipped with infrared air, UV, LED and other drying systems.

Infrared Air Drying System of Flexographic Press

Unwinding unit and rewinding unit are used to unwind and rewind the printed material. They can save time and effort and improve the efficiency of printing operations.

Unwinding Unit of Flexo Printing Machines

Be Familiar With the Usage Steps

One of the most distinctive features of flexo printing machines is their ease of operation. Its operation is divided into four main steps: pre-start preparation, ink supply system debugging, print quality monitoring, and drying system adjustment.

Pre-start preparation: Before starting, the operator should carefully check that there are no loose or damaged machine parts, accurately install the prefabricated plate roller, adjust the pressure between the printing roller and the plate roller, and make sure that the ink can be uniformly embossed onto the printing material.

Plate Roller of the Printing Unit

Ink supply system debugging: The operator must control the amount of ink supplied by adjusting the gap between the anilox roller and the plate roller or the angle of the doctor blade according to the distribution of ink on the plate roller.

Details of Ink Transfer by Doctor Blade and Anilox Roller

Printing quality monitoring: when printing, the operator can adjusted angle of the doctor blade, pressure, printing speed, etc. to prevent leakage, colour difference, blurring and other problems.

Video Inspection System for Printing Quality Monitoring

Drying system adjustment: The operator should adjust the temperature of the drying system according to the drying characteristics of the ink, and at the same time, check the drying effect regularly to avoid problems such as sticking of printed materials.

UV Dryer of Flexo Printing Machine

Preparation before start-up, ink supply system debugging, printing quality monitoring, drying system adjustment are not difficult to do, but require the operator's patience and care.

Distinguish the Applicable Printing Materials

Flexo printing machines have a wide range of substrates to meet the printing needs of manufacturers. In our daily life, paper, aluminium foil, plastic film, corrugated paper, self-adhesive paper and other substrates are very common.

Aluminum Foil Application for Food Packaging、Pharmaceutical Packaging、Cosmetic Packaging、Electronic Product Packaging

The surfaces of these materials are either smooth or rough, absorbent or non-absorbent. Flexo printing press's enables printing on materials that cannot withstand excessive pressure, such as corrugated cardboard. Not only that, the drying system of flexo printing presses enables the ink to dry quickly, making it ideal for non-absorbent and high-speed printing materials. These characteristics have helped flexo printing machine to occupy a pivotal and important position in the field of packaging printing.

Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

Regular cleaning and maintenance of the flexo printing machine is an important way to extend its service life, which can be achieved through timely cleaning, machine parts lubricating, timely replacement of damaged parts and consumables.

Timely cleaning: After the printing work, the operator should promptly clean the flexo printing machine and the surface of plate roller, to remove the ink and impurities, to prevent them from causing wear and tear or clogging of the plate roller, to keep the equipment neat and clean.

An Engineer is Providing Regular Maintenance for the Flexo Printing Machine

Machine parts lubricating: Regularly check the lubrication of the moving parts of the machine to reduce friction between parts and avoid wear and tear.

Timely replacement of damaged parts and consumables: Regularly check the fragile parts such as doctor blades, anilox rollers, etc. , and replace them in time if they are badly worn or damaged. According to the use of the situation, timely replacement of ink, solvent and other consumables to ensure the smooth running of the printing process.

These methods not only extend the service life of flexo printing machine, but also ensure the printing quality.

In short, as long as the operator understands the working principle and structure of the flexo printing machine, operating procedures, applicable materials and good maintenance, then making a good use of flexo printing machine is not a difficult task. I hope this article can help the operators that use the flexo printing machine for the first time.