Search Results (3)

In the flexographic printing industry, anilox rolls play a pivotal role in determining ink usage. These rolls are characterized by anilox cells, which transfer ink to the final printed material. However, these rolls face wear and potential damage during their operational life, largely due to improper cleaning or debris accumulation in the ink duct. Such contamination compromises the ink capacity, impacting print quality. With the industry’s need for consistent and high-quality prints, there is a growing emphasis on the development and consistent implementation of optimal anilox-roll operation methodologies. One cleaning method gaining traction is ultrasonic cleaning. This method employs ultrasonic waves in conjunction with a cleaning agent, providing a quick, efficient, and environmentally conscious cleaning alternative. Yet, there is limited scientific data on the actual condition of anilox rolls after ultrasonic cleaning. In this study, the surface of anilox rolls post-ultrasonic-cleaning was comprehensively examined using microscopic analysis. This assessment provided insights into the method’s efficacy and potential for causing roll damage. The results showed that post-printing, rolls lost approximately 20% of their ink capacity, and ultrasonic cleaning effectively restored the ink capacity of the undamaged rolls. However, for rolls with pre-existing damage, the ultrasonic cleaning process exacerbated the damages, leading to complete delamination in some instances. This study underscores the potential of ultrasonic cleaning in restoring anilox-roll efficiency but also highlights the need for caution with damaged rolls. Full article

Despite numerous methods to optimise their operation and parameters, anilox rolls are subject to rapid wear during use and due to improper cleaning processes. Therefore, regular diagnosis is needed. In this study, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis based on Fe and Cr was used to determine the elemental compositions of raster cylinder coatings. Due to the layered composition of the anilox roll, where Cr₂O₃ coating is applied on the iron core, evaluation of the composition of the roll surface can be used to detection of anilox damage. A portable XRF apparatus was used to identify selected elements even at low concentrations of <1%. In this work, it was proved that XRF can be a preliminary, rapid method for assessing the technical condition of an anilox cylinder. The XRF technique can be safely used in non-destructive chemical analyses of the anilox rollers’ condition in flexographic printing technology, and chemical information that aids in their use may be routinely obtained, thus enabling high-quality printing. This is a pioneering study in which the XRF spectroscopy technique was successfully used to anilox roll condition assessment. Full article

Purpose: Using a standardized specimen protocol analysis, this study aimed to evaluate the resection margin status of patients who underwent resection for either distal cholangiocarcinoma (DC) or pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This allowed a precise millimetric analysis of each inked margin. Methods: From 2010 to 2018, 355 consecutively inked specimens from patients with PDAC (n = 288) or DC (n = 67) were prospectively assessed. We assessed relationships between the tumor and the following margins: transection of the pancreatic neck, bile duct, posterior surface, margin toward superior mesenteric artery, and the surface of superior mesenteric vein/portal vein groove. Resection margins were evaluated using a predefined cut-off value of 1 mm; however, clearances of 0 and 1.5 mm were also evaluated. Results: Patients with DC were mostly men (64% vs. 49%, p = 0.028), of older age (68 yo vs. 65, p = 0.033), required biliary stenting more frequently (93% vs. 77%, p < 0.01), and received less neoadjuvant treatment (p < 0.001) than patients with PDAC. The venous resection rate was higher among patients with PDAC (p = 0.028). Postoperative and 90-day mortality rates were comparable. Patients with PDAC had greater tumor size (28.6 vs. 24 mm, p = 0.01) than those with DC. The R1 resection rate was comparable between the two groups, regardless of the clearance margin. Among the three types of resection margins, a venous groove was the most frequent in both entities. In multivariate analysis, the R1 resection margin did not influence patient survival in either PDAC or DC. Conclusion: Our standardized specimen protocol analysis showed that the R1 resection rate was comparable in PDAC and DC. Full article