Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning a metering roll having a composite sleeve or a metal core with a ceramic coating involves the use of a laser. The roll's ceramic coating is covered with a matrix of cells that can get plugged with a polymeric contaminant, such as dried ink. The laser is uniquely focused to provide a beam intensity profile that matches multiple curved surfaces of the cells. The laser applies heat to each cell at a temperature that destroys the contaminant, yet leaves the ceramic coating intact. The heat is rapidly delivered and rapidly removed from the roll to minimize the amount of heat conducted to the roll's metal core. In addition, a special pneumatic guide bearing makes it possible to clean the metering roll while it is still in the printing press.

Abstract: Process for the production--using plasma spraying--of a coated product in which the coating consists of a ceramic fluorocarbon polymer-comprising coating, while between the surface of the product and the ceramic fluorocarbon polymer-comprising coating an adhesion layer completely of metal is applied. The adhesion layer consists in particular of at least two metals reacting exothermally with each other under plasma spraying conditions. In particular, the product to be coated is a thin-welled nickel, seamless cylinder with a wall thickness of 50-220 .mu.m. The invention also relates to an ink transfer roller in which a thin-walled seamless cylinder obtained by the process according to the invention is used.

Abstract: An ink transfer roll composed of a steel base covered by a ceramic-fluorocarbon outer layer into which are formed generally cylindrically shaped ink holes having a hemispherical bottom, a generally cylindrical intermediate portion and a rounded, beveled entryway. The ink holes are produced using a pulsed high energy source, such as a pulsed laser. An intermediate layer of corrosion resistant metal and fluorocarbon may be deposited between the steel base and the outer layer of ceramic-fluorocarbon material. Adhesion of the ceramic-fluorocarbon layer to the transfer roll is improved if corrosion resistant metal-fluorocarbon material is contained in the ceramic-fluorocarbon layer such that the quantity of corrosion resistant metal-fluorocarbon material in the ceramic-fluorocarbon layer gradually decreases in the direction away from the intermediate layer-outer layer interface, the quantity of corrosion resistant metal-fluorocarbon material in said outer layer being greatest at said interface.

Abstract: An ink metering system for a rotating ink roll having a shaft journalled in the frame of a inking system includes two doctor blades and a mechanism for supporting the doctor blades on the shaft of the ink roll so that the doctor blades contact the ink roll under uniform pressure independent of movement between the ink roll and the frame. The arrangement also includes a mechanism for adjusting the pressure of the doctor blades and for sealing the system. The doctor blade is composed of polytetrafluoroethylene-polyphenylene sulfide ceramic resin containing graphite fibers. The doctor blade includes a number of laminated sheets of this material in which a majority of the sheets include fibers oriented in the machine direction and at least one sheet includes fibers oriented perpendicular to the machine direction.

Abstract: An ink transfer roll composed of a steel base covered by a ceramic-fluorocarbon outer layer into which are formed generally cylindrically shaped ink holes having a hemispherical bottom, a generally cylindrical intermediate portion and a rounded, beveled entryway. The ink holes are produced using a pulsed high energy source, such as a pulsed laser. An intermediate layer of corrosion resistant metal and fluorocarbon may be deposited between the steel base and the outer layer of ceramic-fluorocarbon material. Adhesion of the ceramic-fluorocarbon layer to the transfer roll is improved if corrosion resistant metal-fluorocarbon material is contained in the ceramic-fluorocarbon layer such that the quantity of corrosion resistant metal-fluorocarbon material in the ceramic-fluorocarbon layer gradually decreases in the direction away from the intermediate layer-outer layer interface, the quantity of corrosion resistant metal-fluorocarbon material in said outer layer being greatest at said interface.