Check List - Plate Cracking
Because it is often difficult to isolate the cause or combination of causes
that result in plate cracking, the following checklist can be useful in identifying and correcting the problem.
The following check list can be a useful aid in identifying and correcting
the problem.
- Are the plates the correct size for the press?
- Does the plate have the correct aluminum directionality?
- Is the plate gauge correct for the press and bender?
- Is the plate square and burr free?
- Is the bender square and accurate to attain repeatability?
- Is the plate being bent too fast?
- Is the plate being bent while still warm due to baking or curing?
- Are both sides of the plate being bent at the same time?
- Are the bent angles correct after spring-back?
- Is the proper packing material being used?
- Is the packing thickness correct?
- Are the packing sheets the correct size?
- Are foreign materials, dried ink, paper dust, etc. found in the gap that can prevent the plate from seating?
- Are the rod reels mechanically sound?
- Are the plates being bent twice to correct for register problems?
- Does plate polishing on the lead edge occur prior to cracking?
- Are the drive gears and bearers mechanically sound?
- Are the ink and water form roller pressures set correctly?
- Do the ink and water form rollers have the correct durometer?
- Is the blanket packed correctly?
- Is the blanket snug - not loose?
- Are any units more prone to cracking than others?
