Article

Blanket Basic

02
Sep

PRE-INSTALLATION PREPARATIONS

  1. During unpacking and handling, take particular care not to scuff rubber surface or make sharp bends or creases that might create surface impressions. Check entire blanket for visual defects or blemishes.
  2. Make sure blanket is cut square and properly punched, or where required, bars are parallel and securely fastened.
  3. Check caliper/gauge of each blanket using a deep throat bench micrometer (Cady gauge), NOT a machinists’ micrometer or paper micrometer.
  4. Establish and maintain usage records for each blanket.
  5. New blankets should be washed before use to remove any dust or protective coating applied during manufacture. Use clean sponge or soft, lint-free cloth wet with water or water-miscible blanket wash.
  6. Striping on fabric side of blanket must run around cylinder. Striping running across cylinder identifies a blanket that has been cut in the wrong direction.

MOUNTING DIRECTIONS

  1. Thoroughly clean blanket cylinder and bearers.
  2. Mounting a blanket is not the same as mounting a plate … blankets are elastic. Mounting procedures and tension are critical to proper performance.
  3. Securely lock leading edge of blanket into cylinder. Slowly turn cylinder while pulling blanket over cylinder. Lock trailing edge in place.Tighten initially only to take up slack.
  4. Make final check of printing surface to ensure nothing has been trapped under blanket or packing. Allow “setting” by running cylinder on impression, stopping to take up additional slack. Repeat proce dure at one, two, and three minute intervals.
  5. Use a torque wrench to ensure correct tension is applied. Follow your press manufacturer’s tension and pressure setting specifications.
  6. Make final wash to remove finger prints, foreign matter, etc.
  7. Resting blankets daily by loosening blanket on cylinder will help extend blanket service life.

WASHING

  1. DO NOT use blanket washes or solvents containing acetates, acetone, benzene, lacquer thinners, MEK, phosphates, toluene or gasoline. These chemical ingredients can cause swelling or drying of the rubber that will shorten useful service life.
  2. Use clean sponge or soft, lint-free cloth wet with a minimum amount of water-miscible blanket wash. Keep wash from penetrating unprotected edges of blanket.

STORAGE

  1. Store blankets in a relatively cool and dark place. Keep away from heat, humidity, solvents, direct sun and fluorescent ozone light which can cause deterioration.
  2. Blankets may be stored in their original shipping tubes.
  3. Blankets may be stored flat. Either face-to-face or back-to-back. Prolonged rubber to fabric contact can cause fabric patterns on the rubber printing surface.

BLANKET HOT LINE

  1. Complete help on how to choose the right blanket for your press.
  2. Packing tips, how to properly pack your blankets.
  3. Troubleshooting, having problems? Complete technical information immediately available.