6.2.99
Several aspects of press cleaning can and should be done regularly to maintain optimal
operating conditions which lead to good print quality with minimal waste. These guidelines
are for litho presses, especially those printing newspapers.
Blankets:
Clean blankets prior to each press run, or at least at the end of each shift, to remove
paper lint and reduce glazing. Dirty blankets will print wasteful ghost images.
Ink rollers:
Clean daily or at least weekly. Ink and lint build up glaze dirty rollers which then pick
up metals and wear the copper drums. Hard ink rollers can diminish print quality and press
life.
Water tray:
Remove ink, lint, scum, etc. when necessary, perhaps weekly. Increased and uneven water
use is characteristic of dirty water which leads to ink/water imbalances.
Ink fountain:
When cleaned monthly, paper lint is removed and printing improved. Pipe rollers:
Clean daily to assure consistent roundness and wrinkle-free printing with good
registration.
Press frame:
Clean as needed so that all parts function correctly and no ink drips onto the substrate.
Tension system:
Clean daily to remove lint, and other debris which prevent proper alignment and pressure.
Author: Frank Bourlon
Source: Newspapers & Technology, May, 1999, p. 20. |
