Laser replaces traditional cleaning of anilox rollers

Packaging Solutions

In recent years many printing companies have switched to laser cleaning for periodic deep cleaning of anilox rollers. And for good reason: laser cleaning gives the best cleaning result, and removes all inks, residues and polymers while restoring surface tension of the roller. The highest quality printing with lower ink use results, and no chemicals, granulates or water is used.

With constantly improving laser technology, more and more companies start to use laser cleaning for everyday cleaning of anilox rollers: a huge step forward towards higher printing quality and reducing impact on the environment. Martin de Wit, founder of the Dutch firm Laserclean, which operates at the forefront of this laser cleaning revolution, predicts that in the next five years laser cleaning becomes the new standard.

The company’s latest generation mobile laser unit – ALCS 2500 – is light (70 kg), fast (2.5 metres per hour with the largest rollers) and easy to use. The company operates several such laser systems to provide cleaning service at customers’ factories all over Europe, and exclusive partners deliver this service worldwide.

The ALCS 2500 S is an amazing machine for off line cleaning of rollers up to four meters long and 800 kg. For smaller rollers and sleeves Laserclean introduced the JNL 2200, an economic off line laser cleaning machine for rollers up to 2.20 metres and 300 kg.