Blankets: Effect on Registration Prepared exclusively for Metro Users 2013 Jim Messer This presentation is from Flint Group and confidential and intended solely for the end users of the Metro Users Group. If you are not the intended recipient, then disclosure, reproduction, or distribution of this is prohibited. If you believe you have received this in error, then please permanently delete all copies of the presentation. Thank You

Contributors to registration issues - Non blanket -  Fan Out  Reel changes  Plate mounting  Speed changes  Ink compatibility  Fount compatibility  Wash compatibility  Fit issues and not registration  Cylinder build up of ink and dust  Paper properties, tension, stretch,moisture pick up

 Blanket type  Press Speed  Loose blanket  Excessive swell  Excessive gauge loss  Blanket to Steel gap settings  Blanket to Blanket gap settings  Compressibility under deformation  Blanket age and surface condition  Gauge consistency blanket to blanket  Improper installation inconsistent torque  Improper feed characteristics at proper location  Proper blanket height and proper blanket gauge Contributors to registration issues - Blanket -

Variables of web control  Paper transport lengths  Longitudinal stretch  Wave & wrinkles  Web tension compensation  Build up of rollers/bars  Web tension changes  Infeed Output settings  Tangential Contact

Compressibility  Compressible rubber changes volume under pressure  Solid rubber acts as a liquid  Solid rubber is not compressible  Solid rubber does not change volume when under pressure  More compressibility results in more volume change  A printing blanket is both non compressible and compressible

Vertical Compression Displacement Lateral Flow Rubber Compressible Blanket

Optimized Carcass Construction  Rubber deforms and displaces  Higher surface speeds and less stable  Increased potential for slurring  Over packing will effect print quality  More susceptible to smash damage  Compressibility consumes deformation  Reduces print distortion  Lower circumferential velocity  Improved half tones  Wider latitude in packing heights  Rebounds from smashes  Dampens gap bounce  Reduces paper stretching Non CompressibleMore Compressible

Plate Cylinder True Rolling Advantages:  Sharper half tones  Reduced plate wear  Predictable print length  Prints without distortion  No tail fanning of image  Sharper outline on solids  Less heat & load on drive systems  Works to eliminate paper stretching forces Blanket Cylinder Blanket cylinder has to be smaller than plate cylinder

Blankets are designed for specific presses to:  Optimize indentation  Optimize registration  Minimize plate wear  Complement web control  Minimize torque differential between motors  Provide consistent load on gears and journals

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