Kevin Gossett, plant manager of the Monroe Publishing Co. in Monroe, Mich., shares the reason ink rollers need to be set to certain specifications and the roller’s function in the water or ink train:

 “Ink transfer rollers do more than their name implies. Located between or just on an oscillator roller, the transfer roller is doing the final milling and emulsifying of ink before it is applied to the plate. Transfer rollers should be set to press manufacturers’ specifications, which is a thinner line than form rollers because it is a smaller roller. Setting this roller to the spec allows the ink to better mill and also allows the roller to transfer the ink without acting as a squeegee.

“Form rollers, both ink and water, need to have a slightly heavier stripe to the plate so that the cylinder is driving the roller instead of the oscillator, therefore allowing the rollers to turn at the same speed as the cylinder and slip against the oscillator. If you observe strange marks in solids, check the stripping of all forms in contact with that cylinder. You could be observing roller drag due to tighter contact to the oscillator.

“The same holds true with the sock roller adjustment to oscillator and water pan roller. You want the oscillator to drive the sock roller instead of the water pan roller. The pressure applied to both is crucial so that the solution is fed at an even rate to the water form. Too tight and the solution is squeezed off and too loose will not provide the uniform film required for proper ink/water balance.

“If a roller is too hard you can forget about setting to the proper stripe widths and the roller performing to expectations. The harder the roller, the more pressure that has to be applied to get the desired stripe. At this point it is time to replace the roller because it will not transfer or deliver the ink or water required. A hard form roller will also cause toning and tinting and wear out printing plates prematurely.”

Thanks for the advice, Kevin.

Checked drive motor lately?

Does your press come up slowly or sound a little strange or have some unusual symptoms? If that’s the case, have the press motor and motor controller checked out as soon as any unusual symptoms arise to avoid costly repairs. Even if you have a technician sign off on the health of your press motor, get a second opinion. The life of the press motor depends on it.

Want proof? One of the newspapers I visit on a regular basis hired a technician to check its press motor. The engineer said the motor was fine and would last several more years before requiring repair. Instead, the motor only lasted six months. The technician, who, as it turned out, had very little motor experience, only conducted a visual inspection.

How do you know if the technician you are using is doing a thorough check of your press’ motor? Here is what you should look for:

•A visual inspection of the motor and its components to gauge wear or damage.

•A thorough cleaning of the commutator, using a commutator stone and other appropriate tools.

•Inspection of the motor brushes for length and damage. The brushes should be removed from the motor to permit adequate inspection.

•Inspection of the brush holders for damage or arcing.

•Lubrication of the motor, including greasing the motor bearing with the lower plug removed to eliminate excessive pressure and the chance that grease might migrate internally into the motor.

•Inspection of the bearings — through the use of a stethoscope — while the motor is running.

If the motor is neglected long enough, it might flash over, which could cause permanent damage to the motor’s armature and other components.

Do you want to avoid these expensive repairs? Then check your motors every year.

Frank Bourlon has more than 30 years’ experience in the newspaper industry. He is the executive and training director for the Newspaper Production & Research Center and can be can be reached at 405.524.7774 or via e-mail at nprc@flash.net.