Cracking Rollers

[white rabbit]

Hey all,

Anyone ever seen rollers do this ? This onis about 4 years old, but it started showing these cracks after about a year. The press doesn't run much, maybe 2 days a month. The roller is still soft, although it has shrunk beyond usability.

Do rollers no longer last more than a year ? I remember running rollers for years before they became unusable. Of course that was 25 yeas ago...

Any thoughts ?

 

[Cornishpastythighs]

Rollers begin to deterioate the moment you take off that black lined paper they are wrapped in. Exposure to UV light will cause these types of cracks. Too aggresive wash and poor roller setting/heat will also cause this type of issue. I would use a good roller lube on the rollers between uses and cover the rollers out of UV light when not in use. Changing rollers at least every year is a good practice.

 

[white rabbit]

Rollers begin to deterioate the moment you take off that black lined paper they are wrapped in. Exposure to UV light will cause these types of cracks. Too aggresive wash and poor roller setting/heat will also cause this type of issue. I would use a good roller lube on the rollers between uses and cover the rollers out of UV light when not in use. Changing rollers at least every year is a good practice.

The fact that the press sits right next to the front windows of the shop might explain it...
Funny thing is, not all the rollers in the press are like that. Some of the outer rollers are ok. interesting...

 

[Disappointed]

2 days work a month won't help, I have found in the past that the rollers dry out if not used regularly.

We used to apply run-up paste and wash up at least once a week if the press was on intermittent use.

 

[fireplug55]

We are a pretty high production plant and change rollers out as much as twice a year. If you want print quality you better have good rollers to start with and take care of them.
Rollers just sitting in a press will dry out, crack, have flat spots etc. Try using roller lube if the press is going to set for any length of time and on dead units.