Cheshire Anilox Technology invests in ALE laser

The new laser is equipped with the latest hardware and software technology to produce a range of engraving configurations from 25 to 2,000 lines per inch. The new machine will allow the Manchester-based company to create a wide range of bespoke engravings to meet the high-quality demands of printers. 

It features the Custom Pulse functionality to provide graphical control and design of bespoke cell shapes and an advanced engraving technology TwinTrack. This new hardware and software interface controls cell shape and engraving consistency. It enables obtaining higher cell volumes with a lower depth of the engraving. While the focused laser beam moves around the anilox cells, the power changes dynamically, keeping the cell bottom flatter. This creates wide bottom cells with smoother walls that offer greater resistance against clogging, increased cell volume and ink transfer capacity.

The new equipment also allows Cheshire to achieve greater and absolute engraving consistency with less than 1 percent variation across the roll surface as well as cell definition and uniformity superior to previous models.

Cheshire’s latest addition follows significant investment across its global operations. 

‘Once again, we are making a significant investment to ensure we can meet the needs of some of the world’s most prestigious printers,’ commented Sonia Arcos, managing director of Cheshire Anilox Technology. ‘The highly specified ALE fiber laser we have installed will allow us to offer the highest quality and consistency of engravings. We are committed to strengthening and growing our business and the addition of the latest laser allows us to address these priorities.’

Along with the new laser, the company has also invested in a new cylindrical grinder which will add more capacity and improve the quality of the ceramic surface finish.

‘One way in which we can control consistency in the laser engraving machines is to give our operators the best possible surface to engrave. This allows our engraving machines to provide more consistent quality as well as maintain smooth cell tops. This will improve the quality and the long-term performance of our anilox rollers,’ concluded Arcos.