Home » Flexography » Automatic cleaning equipment for flexo printing
Our ultrasonic cleaning equipment, such as the Ibeslab IE02 US, works by means of a bubble-forming process called cavitation. Cavitation consists of generating high-frequency waves by means of electrical currents in a liquid bath. The micro-bubbles allow access to places inaccessible to other cleaning methods. A bath of tap water is generated in which a concentrated, water-based detergent (Ibeslab QS) is added.
The water is heated to a temperature between 40 and 50 degrees, in which the anilox cylinder is partially immersed. The rotating system of the anilox allows the shafts to remain outside the bath. The action of the ultrasonic waves combined with the aqueous detergent cleans the cylinder completely in about 15 minutes. It can then be rinsed with water and dried with the built-in air gun, leaving the anilox ready for use.
The equipment is designed to accommodate different sizes of anilox, with a simple sliding support system, as it is common in many print shops to have machines with different printing widths. Also, for sleeve aniloxes, there are adapters that can be made to measure. The equipment can also be designed for the simultaneous cleaning of several cylinders, or with a parallel water rinsing stage.
For large aniloxes, special cleaning machines are designed to suit the production requirements.The convenience of its use and the efficiency of the cleaning system allows printers to have aniloxes always with their original volume, avoiding quality problems due to colour variations or other causes, at an extremely low cost.
Our Ibeslab US IE05 tool and parts washer is designed for the automatic cleaning of fresh and dry ink on any metal tooling of the printing machine, by means of a “cavitation” process in combination with Ibeslab QS detergent solution.
With a removable basket system that allows total immersion of the dirty elements. The equipment is easy to use, with water-based products that in a few minutes remove ink and dirt residues.
They are manufactured in different sizes and capacities, adapting to the customer’s needs.
Our automatic plate cleaning machines are suitable for all types of inks, UV, solvent or water based. They are equipped with a system for spraying the cleaner onto a conveyor belt. In the first stage, the action of the special Ibeslab ID cleaners gently brushes the ink off the photopolymer.
In a second drying stage, air blowing helps the cleaner to evaporate, leaving the cliché ready for storage.
It is a simple and easy to maintain machine that ensures a good cleaning of the flexo cliché without aggressive processes of direct manual rubbing, helping the conservation of the photopolymer.
For manual washing of tools: ink trays, anilox cylinders, squeegees and other printing elements, we have a range of washing basins made of stainless steel for use with solvent or water-based products. They can be pneumatically or electrically operated.
A special area is available for cleaning tasks. By means of a closed circuit, the cleaner is propelled through a brush, allowing the operator to clean the element easily. Equipped with an air blow gun and a vapour outlet to create a safe environment.
There are models that allow a gentle spray on the element to be cleaned with a closed circuit to minimise the use of cleaner.
About 15 minutes, under normal conditions, is sufficient to recover the initial volume of the anilox roll.
It depends on the use of the cylinder and the efficiency of the daily cleaning, the most frequent schedule in print shops is usually between 1 and 3 months.
It is necessary to use products that do not attack the cliché or the components of the machine. It is also recommended to use cleaners that have a slow evaporation rate to avoid fire hazards and to minimise evaporation losses.
Yes, it is necessary to select the right cleaner and check that the machine is designed to work with the necessary detergent.
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Ibes Gestión y Desarrollo, S.L.
Cádiz, 20 – Pol. Ind. L’Alfaç II
03440 IBI – Alicante (España)