Anilox roll and method of making the same

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an improved anilox roll for metering inks or like fluids and to the method of making the same. In accordance with the invention, a cylindrical metal roll is provided with a multiplicity of indented receiver cells in its periphery, the cells being of a selected configuration calculated to optimize the distribution of fluid therefrom, and may be of concentrations up to about 550 cells per linear inch in each direction. A ceramic coating is applied over the surface of the roll by plasma flame spray or other thermal coating techniques, known per se, the coating being formed from oxide particles having an average size of about 5 microns or less, the coating being maintained at a thickness in the order of about 0.0015' or less. The configuration of the underlying cells is, as a result of such practice, substantially maintained and the volumetric capacity of the cells defined in the coating is at least about 60% or more of the original cell volume. The thin coating, while relatively dense, does not isolate the underlying roll from the corrosive influences of liquids to be applied, the coating incorporating interstices of capillary dimension. Thereafter, unless the underlying roll is itself of corrosion resistant material, carefully controlled quantities of a low viscosity liquid carrying a resinous material in solution are applied over the ceramic coating at a rate such as to be conducted into the interior of said coating through said capillary size interstices, to seal said coating without materially reducing the volume of the cells.