In the modern world of printing, electronic engraving machines are very important in terms of accuracy and time management. These machines especially those used in gravure printing employ tricky techniques in the manufacture of high-quality printing cylinders. This article is devoted to the description of the usage of printing cylinders starting from its start-up stage up to its usage in electronic engraving.
The Basics of Electronic Engraving
An engraving machine that is computer-controlled is used in the electronic engraving technique to engrave designs on a printing cylinder. The creation of gravure printing cylinders, which are used in numerous industries like publishing and packaging, depends on this technology.
Initial steps
Design Preparation
This design is normally done using graphic software and should be well done to ensure that it is well replicated. Then the design is transferred to the electronic engraving machine once the design is done.
Digital Design Creation
Graphic designers will then elaborate patterns that will be laser engraved on the outer surface of the cylinder. These designs can be text, image, or pattern and should be in a format that is compatible with the engraving machine.
Transferring the Design
The digital design is then transferred to the computer system of the engraving machine. This system translates the design into commands that control the engraving process of the machine.
Second Step
Selecting the Cylinder Material
The people working in this area select the material for the printing cylinder depending on the demand for the product. Copper cylinders are used for engraving while steel cylinders are used for long-run printing because of their stability.
Preparing the Cylinder Surface
Designers after selecting the material for the cylinder, the surface is prepared with the help of a polish that makes it ready to get engraved. This is because any spot or unrelated matter on the surface will affect the engraving process very badly.
Third Step
Engraving Process
The engraving machine begins its operations by carving the design on the cylinder. The process involves several key steps.
Calibration and Alignment
Before engraving starts, the position of the design on the cylinder is adjusted to ensure that it is well aligned. This step is crucial in achieving the right positioning and the right depth of the engraving.
Engraving
The designers use an electronically controlled diamond cutting tool to etch the design onto the cylinder in electronic engraving. In laser engraving, the design is created by melting the cylinder’s surface with the laser beam
Preparing the Cylinder for Printing
Once the engraving process is complete, the cylinder undergoes several processes before it is fit for use in printing.
Final Step
Cleaning and testing
After every step in the laser or electronic engraving printing cylinder is then washed to make sure that there is no dirt or any other material on the cylinder after the engraving process. The cylinder is first developed and then a sample is produced to check whether it will produce the right quality of print.
Conclusion
The step-by-step guide to the process of laser and electronic engraving printing machines is a process that involves a lot of precision to arrive at the final product. Designers should know the design of the cylinder up to the engraving process and even up to the final preparation, all these are significant to get the best performance of the cylinder in the printing process.