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Product Information

Description

The Imation Dampening Sleeve is a non-woven, seamless, water shrinkable, fibrous composite covering for the dampening roller or form roller of an offset printing press. It absorbs, stores and meters fountain solution from the vibrator roller to the plate.

The Imation Dampening Sleeve consists of water-absorbing synthetic fibers that maintain a reservoir within the sleeve. The sleeve releases a small amount of solution providing minimum moisture to the plate.

Installation To prepare the Dampening Sleeve for installation, follow this procedure. Roller Measurement: Check dampening form roller diameter using a vernier periphery tape correct to .001 inch (.025 mm). Mounting the Sleeve: Remove dampening form roller from the printing press. Make sure roller is free of ink particles and glaze. Hold the roller in a vertical position and slip the sleeve over the roller.

Shrinking the Sleeve: Soak the sleeve for 3 minutes in 80° - 100° F (27° - 38° C) water. Cooler water will slow shrinkage rate. Hot water over 100° F (38° C) can cause shredding. Trim any excess sleeve to 1/4 inch overhang of the roller.

Press Installation

Install the dampening sleeve following the press manufacturer's instructions. Be sure to:
*Wet the dampening sleeve mounted on the dampening form roller to prevent damage when handling
*Keep the dampening sleeve clean
*Seat and lubricate roller bearings

Setting Form Roller

Make all dampening form roller adjustments with the dampening sleeve thoroughly wet.

Setting Vibrator to Form Roller
Insert 1-inch wide strips of 0.004 inch film or metal between the dampening form roller and the vibrator. Place the strips at both ends and the center of the rollers. Check for a firm, even pull on the strips. Adjust if necessary.

Setting Form Roller to Plate
Insert the 0.004 inch strips of film or metal between the dampening form roller and the plate at both ends and center.

Drop the dampener against the plate and check for a "just snug" uniform pull on all three strips. Adjust if necessary.

Running Adjustment
Adjust the dampening form roller for a slight bounce at each end of the roller shaft as the dampener enters and leaves the plate cylinder gap.

Cleaning

Before handling or using any chemical, be sure to read the Material Safety Data Sheet for health hazard data, precautionary information and suggested first aid.

To clean the dampening sleeve on press:

* Apply Imation™ Cleaner Conditioner to a clean, dry cloth and thoroughly wipe the dampening sleeve.

* Wipe the dampening sleeve with a water-dampened, clean cloth to remove excess Cleaner Conditioner. To clean the dampening sleeve off press:

To clean the dampening sleeve on press:

Lightly soiled dampening sleeves

* Apply cleaner conditioner to a clean, dry cloth and thoroughly wipe the dampening sleeve.

* Rinse thoroughly with water.

Heavily soiled dampening sleeves

* Apply a non-oily solvent to a clean, dry cloth and thoroughly wipe the dampening sleeve.

* Apply cleaner conditioner to a clean, dry cloth and thoroughly wipe the dampening sleeve.

* Rinse thoroughly with water.

Removal

To remove a worn dampening sleeve, wet the sleeve with water. Cut the sleeve edge and tear the sleeve from the roller in a spiral pattern. An alternative method for dampening sleeve removal is to slit the sleeve lengthwise with a "roofing knife". Be sure the cutting edge of the knife is recessed to avoid cutting the roller.

Roller Specifications

Durometer: 30-40 Shore A2 for rollers with 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) or more rubber thickness.

Rubber Compound: Formulated to obtain oil, water, solvent and compression-set resistance to meet operating conditions.

Eccentricity: 0.003 inch (0.08 mm) maximum.

In-Roll Variation: 0.003 inch (0.08 mm) maximum.

Surface: "As ground" finish providing a light texture or grain to the roller surface.

For the sleeve to fit properly, the dampening form roller must be ground to the diameter listed for the sleeve code in the Roller Diameter Table.

Copyright 1996 Imation. All rights reserved.