Simulation of Ink Transfer Characteristics for the Anilox

Abstract

Anilox is the most important part in flexography, we simplified the structure of anilox roller into an axisymmetric trapezoidal groove, while established a numerical simulation of the ink transfer process by using the finite element method. We had done research on ink transfer characteristics in the flexographic printing process. The ink transfer ratio decreased when the upper plate contact angle increased, while increased when the dovetail groove contact angle increased; the aspect ratio also have impacts on the ink transfer.