ABSOLUTE has reported a substantial increase in SONO inquiries following a series of successful installations of its patented on-press ultrasonic anilox roller cleaning system. With orders and inquiries rising weekly and both versions – ‘pit’ and ‘portable’ – being produced simultaneously at its UK facility, Absolute took the opportunity to present these award-winning products to a select group of customers and industry experts during a week-long series of tailored open days.

It was the perfect opportunity to give our customers firsthand experience of the system’s effectiveness in cleaning anilox rolls and its ease of use.’ Customers were impressed with the system’s ‘operator-led’ design, which eliminates the need for lifting equipment or maintenance crews. Not only did the rollers look visibly cleaner, but the data also confirmed that they were indeed cleaner.

The SONO pit version is designed for over-pit presses with automatic anilox exchange capabilities, such as BOBST NT RS models. According to Antony, it delivers exceptional cleaning results while the press is in full production, significantly enhancing productivity.

For the pit version demonstration, Absolute used a five-year-old roller provided by a major integrated customer, which was severely clogged. Originally, the roller had a volume of 4.5cm³/m², but this had deteriorated to 2.0cm³/m² (45% of the original volume). After just 10 minutes of cleaning with the Pit SONO, the volume recovered to 3.8cm³/m² (85% of the original volume).

For presses that lack an automatic anilox exchange in a pit, Absolute offers a portable SONO version. This includes a pod with all the necessary electrical and software systems, a cleaning bar that attaches to the anilox roller and smart guides to ensure a perfect fit every time.

Customers observed a cleaning cycle on the portable machine designed for a 110”/2 800mm BGM line, where an anilox roller with an original volume of 7.0cm³/m² had deteriorated to 4.3cm³/m² (61% of the original volume). After a 10-minute cycle, the roller returned to 6.8cm³/m² (97% of the original volume).

This system allows the print operator to move from unit to unit, cleaning the anilox in situ within 30 minutes, reducing the time required to clean the entire roller by approximately 75% compared to most other methods. This significantly decreases printer downtime and enhances profitability.

SONO’s ability to clean without removing the anilox roller is a major advantage for all customers, whether they choose the portable or pit version. ‘Safety is a key consideration for our customers and eliminating the need to remove anilox rollers from the press is a significant factor in ensuring operator safety,’ Antony enthuses.

Ed’s note: Absolute SONO is represented and distributed in South Africa by Beswick Machinery.