One of the biggest things you need to look for in a gravure cylinder is the features that make it ideal gravure printing. More so is engraving features of the cylinder because that is the technology being used today for making printing images.

So, what are the key features that you need to look out for in a gravure cylinder? A majority of people get wrong when they base their assessment on the physical attribute of the machines.

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Here are the major features of a perfect gravure cylinder:

Size

Always start with the size because if you get wrong, then you will definitely have a problem with everything else. The size of the gravure cylinder will be determined by the kind of tasks that you will be handling. The size of the gravure printing machine is another important factor that will determine the size of the cylinder. Therefore, you need to get these two things right if you want to get the right size of a gravure cylinder.

Weight

This one of the essential elements that most people get wrong, yet it is very crucial when it comes to getting the right gravure cylinder. If you have the wrong weight of the gravure cylinder, then you will have a problem getting the right quality materials. You need to get specifications provided by the gravure machine manufacturer. They usually provide the range of weight to use. The weight of the cylinder should also be accommodated by the engraving machine.

Materials

The material used for the construction of the gravure cylinder is another important factor to consider. The most important feature that you need to look out for is the corrosive resistance of the material. Sometimes, the ink and other elements used for printing can be a little bit acidic hence the need for a material that can withstand such conditions. That’s aluminium and steel are some of the most widespread materials.

Durability

Gravure cylinders are quite expensive, especially if you are looking for quality. It would be very unfortunate if you invest your hard-earned money on a piece that will not last the expected lifespan. A cylinder that will be useless without giving you value for money. That’s why you need to consider the issue of durability seriously when buying a gravure cylinder.

The process of gravure cylinder engraving can be a bit tricky if you are buying the machine for the first time. If you are a newbie and wondering what should be done to engrave the cylinder, you need to read this guide. We have put together some of the crucial things that you need to consider to get the most out of the process. Check out these tips

Prepare the Cylinder

The first thing that you need to get right is the preparation of the cylinder. You need to understand the material used for the making of the cylinder top layer. Is it steel, aluminium or plastic? This is a very important factor to consider because it will determine the kind of layer you need for the engraving. It will also determine many other things you need to do to protect the cylinder. Initial preparation should be about cleaning and removing the chrome later.

Coating Cylinder

Depending on the kind of gravure cylinder engraving you want to do, you need to do the proper coating. In most cases, copper and zinc coatings are the most widely used. Make sure that the process has been done properly and the right side of the coating has been done. This is an important factor to consider.

Prepare Laser Machine

You need to start preparing the machine. Make sure that you have switched on the machine and check it is in perfect condition. If yes, you can switch it to safe mode so that you can place the gravure cylinder. Make sure that the laser table is made large enough to accommodate the cylinder. Make sure that the safety of the machine because some of the cylinders are very heating and a fall would mean a lot of damages to the car. Once the cylinder is in place, you can go to the next step

Laser engrave

With the gravure printing cylinder set in the machine, the next thing is engraving. There are several things that you need to know about engraving. First, you need to make sure that you have the digital image to be engraved right. The second thing that you need to consider is the intensity of the engraving beam. With all factors taken care of, you can start engraving. The laser engraving machine will rotate the cylinder to zero degrees for reset. If you have the graphic ready on the computer, just click engrave to start the process.

After engraving, just chrome the gravure cylinder, and it will be ready for printing.