Rubber sheets for coating

After having established itself on the international market for coating plates with polyurethane printing layer and compressible underplates, Kruse (San Mauro Torinese, TO) has developed new products for users of rubber sheets and rubber plates in coating.

At Drupa the company presented the new Varniblue plates with rubber printing surface in the classic thicknesses of 1.15 and 1.35  and the 1.95 mm version with incorporated compressable underplate as an alternative to traditional blankets.
 
The structure - The Varniblue plates from 1.15 and 1.35 mm are formed by a double rubber/elastomer layer of 0.8/1.0 mm depending on the thickness of the final plate, and a 0.35 mm thick polyester base; for the 1.95 mm thickness a compressable underplate of 0.80 mm needs to be added to the materal 1.15 mm thick, enabling a superior quality product to be obtained.
This type of plate does not contain sheets that have a fibre direction, enabling the best format cuts in all directions and presents an extreme dimensional stability. The nitrilic rubber surface has in fact been devised to ensure the best lacquer transer and the best performance  with the lacquering  system standing up to  the printing machine stress. Other benefits deriving from the type of compound and related physical characteristics are the ease and precision of cutting and the consequent production of highly sharp and accurate reserves.
 
Two is better than one - The second soft elastomer  layer allows the Kruse plates to impart a lower printing pressure, essential for the optimal transfer of the lacquer, as well as to obtain a regular thickness of the layer transferred and a higher degree of gloss. The elastomer used also presents a good resistance to UV coatings, avoiding bulges and guarantees  quality even over long print runs; lastly, it is highly compatible with the polyester base gluing system, which is still constant and easy to "peel off”.
Varniblue plates ensure maximum results both with acrylic and UV coating, with constant thickness and a roughness that enables  the amount of coating transferred to the substrate to be metered, also favouring the easy sliding of the plotter head.
Kruse is one of the few manufacturers to produce plates by extrusion without solvents with in-line vulcanization; the Varniblue line is marketed both in rolls as well as in formats.