Red_Right_Arm
Well-known member
We're running into an issue with bearer bar registration recently.
The issue reared up at the same time the laser etcher was acting up. Okay, so we got the laser serviced. The issue remained. We looked into how we are applying the plates to the vacuum drum, making sure not to lay the plate over any tape or masking film. We make sure the entire back of the plate is in contact with the metal drum before taping it down. The issue remained. I can't think of what else might be causing this issue, and other departments are positive it is coming from the plates, not human error with mounting.
Some coworkers, who have spent time at other companies, have stated that this is a common problem that is no big deal. However, department heads I work with aren't very likely to accept "Hey, it happens" as a response. So, I'm wondering if anyone else runs into this problem, and if so, how do they rectify it?
Here's a photo of the issue. When two plates are lined up front to front or back to back, the bearer bars are in registration. However, when the plates are lined up front to back, as they would be when wrapped around a cylinder, one of the bars are noticeably out of register. (Note: We use a dual camera mounting system that displays both sides at once. When mounted, the difference in registration is more apparent and there is a larger seam gap on the side that is out of alignment. Unfortunately, we can't use cell phones on the production floor, so I couldn't get that picture.)
The issue reared up at the same time the laser etcher was acting up. Okay, so we got the laser serviced. The issue remained. We looked into how we are applying the plates to the vacuum drum, making sure not to lay the plate over any tape or masking film. We make sure the entire back of the plate is in contact with the metal drum before taping it down. The issue remained. I can't think of what else might be causing this issue, and other departments are positive it is coming from the plates, not human error with mounting.
Some coworkers, who have spent time at other companies, have stated that this is a common problem that is no big deal. However, department heads I work with aren't very likely to accept "Hey, it happens" as a response. So, I'm wondering if anyone else runs into this problem, and if so, how do they rectify it?
Here's a photo of the issue. When two plates are lined up front to front or back to back, the bearer bars are in registration. However, when the plates are lined up front to back, as they would be when wrapped around a cylinder, one of the bars are noticeably out of register. (Note: We use a dual camera mounting system that displays both sides at once. When mounted, the difference in registration is more apparent and there is a larger seam gap on the side that is out of alignment. Unfortunately, we can't use cell phones on the production floor, so I couldn't get that picture.)
