What is flexographic.docVIP

What is Flexo? Flexography or “flexo” by definition is the application of ink to a raised image on a rubber plate which in turn transfers the ink directly onto a substrate.? Flexo is not a new printing process by any stretch, it has been around for at least 20 years.?? A trip to the grocery store will reveal numerous examples of flexo-printed packages everywhere:? Cereal boxes, frozen food boxes, diaper bags, etc.? Almost 70% of all packaging in North America is printed with flexo. 1. The Flexo Process The flexo process is a direct printing process consisting of only 3 rollers and an ink chamber.? It begins with a water-based ink being pumped into an ink chamber.? Ink is then transferred from the ink chamber to the anilox roller. ? The plate is carried on the plate cylinder. ? The plate removes the necessary ink needed to produce an image from the anilox roller.? The ink on the plate is then transferred directly onto the web.? The impression roller provides a solid surface for the plate to impress the image onto the web. This is all that is required to print using flexo! 2. Anilox roller/Ink chamber The water-based ink is pumped into the ink chamber.? The anilox roller has millions of microscopic cells (See below) which act as cups and carry the ink to the plate cylinder. ? The ink chamber contains a set of wipers called doctor blades which scrape the excess ink off of the anilox roller so as the anilox roller rotates, ink is only contained in the cells of the roller.? Ink chamber and anilox roller The ink is then carried in the anilox roller to the plate cylinder. Anilox roller cells magnified 3. Plate Cylinder Plate mounted on press（below） The .022 thick plate is composed of .015 thick photopolymer with a .007 steel backing.? Only the print surface is raised and appears like a rubber stamp.? It is mounted on the plate cylinder using a two-pin, no bend magnetic bar.? The lockup is tool-less only requiring the operator to line up the prepunched plate onto two p