GRAVURE SLEEVE CYLINDER

A gravure printing sleeve cylinder is the engraved image carrier used in gravure printing and typically comprises of a steel cylinder base or underlying metal structure that supports the engraved image-carrying layer. The base cylinder needs to be fitted with shafts prior to installation into the press.

USES

Magazines, newspapers, catalogs, wallpaper & various types of packaging. 

APPLICATION

  • Publication printing for magazines, newspapers, add inserts, catalogues.
  • Other substrates such as gift wrapping, wallpaper, postage stamps, thin film, nylon, etc
  • Packaging printing, including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, laminates for furniture, vinyl, BOPP.
 

MANUFACTURING PROCESS 

  • Steel gravure cylinder bases are first lightly plated either with copper in a cyanide bath or with nickel.
  • Each cylinder is then transferred to an acid copper sulphate bath and grown to the appropriate size.
  • Close control of the production process of a good cylinder allows for a very exact engraving surface for optimal image quality and cell wall integrity.
  • Once engraving has been completed, a chrome layer is added reservedthe engraver before polishing stones are used to compensate for any plating inaccuracies.

TECHNICAL PARAMETERS

Base Material:                   Steel welding pipe/seamless steel tube

Plating Material:               Engravable Copper, then chrome

Surface hardness:            HRC50

Roughness:                        ≤ Ra 0.16

Dimensions:                       100 – 400mm

Length:                               320-IB00mm (Normally 50mm longer than a rubber roller)

Thermal deformation:     ≤ 0.0Imm

Concentricity:                    0-15 microns

Straightness:                     ≤ 0.2mm

ADVANTAGES

  • VARIABLE:  Wall thickness provides greater variability in diameter than thin-film technology.
  • DURABLE:  Easily electroplated, each cylinder can withstand increased printing pressure, and large-volume print runs without a cell wall breakdowns.
  • QUALITY:  The copper image-carrying layer provides the highest degree of structural and functional integrity and ensures a more consistent print quality.
  • CONSISTENCY:  Colour laydown and image rendering quality remain stable.
  • VERSATILITY:  Image data can be continuous, providing a seamless print run, and allows for printing of a wide variety of porous or non -porous flexible substrates.
  • INK:  Depth and size of engraved cells allow for more ink laydown compared to others processes.

DISADVANTAGES

  • The varying shafts used during different stages of the production-engraving, plating, and printing-can create inaccuracies in the engraved image and the printed image.
  • As gravure printing requires one cylinder per color, it is expensive for short runs.