Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to set up machines for specialised flexographic printing.
It applies to individuals required to set up for specialised colour jobs and who have a good knowledge of substrates and press settings.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Confirm non-routine job specifications | 1.1 Job requirements are read and interpreted from job documentation or production control system 1.2 Set up is planned and carried out correctly in minimum time, with minimum wastage 1.3 Availability of all job related components is checked 1.4 Proofed job is checked for conformance with job specifications |
2. Select and prepare inks and solvents for non-routine job | 2.1 Inks and solvents are selected according to job specifications and end-user requirements 2.2 Quality and suitability of inks and solvents are checked and appropriate action is taken 2.3 Inks and solvents are prepared according to work health and safety (WHS) requirements, and manufacturer’s/supplier’s instructions with suitable precautions to minimise waste 2.4 Correct colour and weight/volume of ink are mixed and viscosities checked and modified according to press requirements and non-routine job specifications 2.5 Ink formula and approved colour draw downs are appropriately recorded 2.6 Inks and solvents are appropriately labelled, handled and stored according to manufacturer’s/supplier’s instructions and relevant hazardous liquids storage regulations |
3. Set up machine for specialised flexographic printing | 3.1 Flexographic plate cylinders are installed and register adjustments centred OR 3.2 Sleeves are installed in press and register adjustments made OR 3.3 Plate mounting sheets are mounted on cylinders in press, and register adjustments made 3.4 Plate cylinders are gauged up or pre-set to impression 3.5 Anilox rollers are selected to suit individual colour and plate reproduction requirements for each unit 3.6 Appropriate ink metering system is selected for each unit 3.7 Inking system is set up and roller nips/blades are set correctly 3.8 Ink circulation is maintained at correct level 3.9 Viscosities are adjusted according to job specifications 3.10 Air volume and drier temperatures are selected to suit inks, substrate, solvents, and according to job specifications 3.11 Air volume is adjusted between colours to maximise drying and minimise air overspill |
4. Conduct proof run | 4.1 Material to be used for proof is organised correctly 4.2 Press is set up and operated according to WHS guidelines 4.3 Print impressions are set to minimum kiss impression 4.4 Web tensions are correctly set at unwind, between stations and rewind 4.5 Print is checked for register 4.6 Drying is checked as sufficient to key ink to the substrate 4.7 Viscosities are adjusted to obtain the correct colour at proof speed |
5. Organise proof inspection and/or testing | 5.1 Proof is visually inspected and/or tested or laboratory testing is organised according to enterprise procedures 5.2 Production does not commence without client approval or authority where appropriate |
6. Troubleshoot machinery and material problems | 6.1 Corrective or preventive action is recommended and implemented where appropriate 6.2 Changes are communicated to relevant personnel in a logical and easily understood manner 6.3 Changes are monitored to confirm improvement to production efficiency |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
correctly set up a flexographic printing machine for a specialised job on TWO occasions using different substrates and including at least two in-line processes) according to the manufacturer’s and job specifications, enterprise procedures and performance criteria
safely conduct a proof run and adjust settings to ensure production speeds are attained
find and use information relevant to the task from a variety of information sources.
Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.
Evidence of Knowledge
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
outline production problems that can eventuate if job specifications are not read and/or understood
identify the person to discuss production problems with
list work health and safety (WHS) factors to consider when mounting and proofing flexographic plates
discuss the most common cause of photopolymer plates crazing on the image side
explain the importance of printing plate resiliency
describe the main advantage of using thin photopolymer plates in process printing
list faults that may be found on new plates
describe the type of solvents to use on photopolymer plates
explain what V-block mounting is
describe how V-block mounting is achieved
list benefits of optical mounting
outline the purpose of binding plates after mounting
explain possible print faults that can be eliminated by using cushion mount
explain any WHS factors to be considered when installing printing cylinders or sleeves
describe precautions to ensure plates and cylinders or sleeves are not damaged during installation
outline checks to ensure plates and cylinders or sleeves have been installed correctly
discuss WHS precautions for webbing up the machine
explain how to determine position of the reel
describe how the substrate is pulled into the machine
explain the result of insufficient unwind tension
discuss the result of excessive unwind tension
describe the function of the ‘dancer’ roller on a web machine
explain the function of the positive input ventilation (PIV) unit
discuss the result of adjustments to the positive input ventilation (PIV) unit
describe the function of the lay-on roller
discuss the effect of excessive lay-on roller pressure
describe the effect of the web not being spliced correctly
explain how the particular web viewing device functions
outline WHS precautions for setting up the delivery
explain how the web is controlled in the rewind unit
outline the result of incorrect rewind tension
discuss remedial steps to take if there is a possibility of the ink marking in the rewind
explain the use of air blast play in the delivery of sheets
discuss WHS precautions for preparing inks and additives
outline how to determine an ink’s suitability for the printing process
explain special end-use requirements that may be necessary
outline the main function of a pigmented extender used in flexographic printing
describe the effect of adding plasticisers to flexographic inks
explain why other additives are used in flexographic inks
explain the range, in seconds, for zahn cup measurements
describe the effect foaming has in a zahn cup when measuring ink viscosity
explain the recommended ph range when printing with aqueous inks
outline precautions to minimise waste when preparing ink
explain the shelf life of most inks
identify conditions relevant to storage of inks and additives
describe conventions for labelling mixed inks
list WHS factors to consider when setting up the machine
explain the advantage of centring all machine controls
list checks to make on cylinders and gears
outline checks to perform prior to cylinder or sleeve installation
explain the angle chamber blades should be set at
discuss the main advantage of gauging up and dry register prior to printing a job
discuss cell count of the anilox roller for printing solids
outline why water treatment additives should be used in a central impression drum and chill roller coolant system
list advantages of laser engraved ceramic anilox rollers
describe three things relating to the anilox roller that a roller scope measures
explain possible reasons for anilox wear
outline the type of job that is printed using a hexagonal cell configuration
describe the recommended web temperature when printing polypropylene film
explain the method of drying used when printing on polythene by the flexographic process
list factors affecting the drying rate of liquid inks
identify factors that affect drying of aqueous inks
explain the operating range of UV lamps
explain why it is necessary to graduate drying speeds of each progressive colour, so that first-down colours dry faster than subsequent colours
explain why in flexographic printing, the colour strength increases as the press speed increases
identify possible causes of a decrease in web tension
describe the result of increasing rewind tension after the roll has been partially rewound
explain the major cause of a telescopic roll
list print characteristics related to excessive printing pressure
outline causes of picking when printing multicoloured work
explain print faults from using an over-reduced ink
discuss problems that can cause lateral streaks showing up in uneven printing
describe causes of moire patterns when printing by the flexographic process
explain what happens when air is trapped under mounted plates
describe which instrument is used to identify retained solvent trapped in the print
explain the purpose of taking dyne readings
explain the purpose of the crinkle test when testing an ink
outline the result if an excessive final drying temperature was used when printing polypropylene film
explain what ink property can be adjusted to reduce dot gain
discuss the effect of using the ink returning from the ink fountain when checking viscosity for ink while using ink pumps
list problems that result from excessive use of slow solvents
explain the effect of the ‘yield value’ of ink on the ink transfer of halftone dots
discuss why laminating inks, once printed, appear dull and easy to scratch
explain the result of excessive print area tension
identify some of the problems associated with cold seals
identify the location of machine manuals, safety and other documentation that are relevant to this task, where they are kept, and describe the information included in them.
Assessment Conditions
Gather evidence to demonstrate consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the printing field of work and include access to a flexographic press.
Assessors must satisfy NVR/AQTF assessor requirements.
Foundation Skills
This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.
Skill | Performance Criteria | Description |
Reading | 1.1, 1.4, 2.1-2.4, 2.6, 3.9, 3.10 | Recognises and interprets text to establish job requirements from information contained within relevant instructions, procedures and specifications |
Writing | 2.5, 2.6, 5.2 | Completes workplace records and labels accurately and according to requirements Considers context and audience when composing texts |
Oral Communication | 5.2, 6.2 | Participates effectively in spoken interactions using appropriate vocabulary, questioning and listening techniques to gain approvals or provide information |
Numeracy | 2.4, 3.8-3.11 | Interprets and analyses a range of mathematical information used in familiar and routine tasks |
Navigate the world of work | 2.3, 2.6, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2 | Complies with legislative requirements and follows organisational policies and procedures relevant to own role Recognises boundaries of own role responsibilities |
Interact with others | 5.2, 6.2 | Collaborates with others to complete tasks according to requirements Follows accepted communication practices and protocols when seeking approval |
Get the work done | 1.2-1.4, 2.1-2.6, 3.1-3.11, 4.1-4.7, 5.1, 6.1, 6.3 | Plans, evaluates, identifies and assembles resources required to complete tasks Determines priorities and sequences steps involved in complex tasks Takes responsibility for addressing predictable and unpredictable problems in familiar work contexts Evaluates effectiveness of decisions to identify opportunities for improvement Reads data from electronic monitoring and control systems |
Sectors
Printing