Enhancing surface engineering of advanced materials

The University of Manchester partnered with award-winning SME and manufacturer, Sandon Global Engraving Technologies Ltd, to help improve the Anilox ink coating product.

Sandon Global Engraving Technologies Ltd is an award-winning manufacturer of anilox rolls and cylinders – high-precision ceramic coated cylinders with laser engraved microscopic cells designed to transfer ink onto printing plates. A key piece of equipment in the printing industry for more than three decades, the anilox meters the amount of ink that is applied to a printing plate.  

In a knowledge transfer partnership, part funded by Innovate UK, the University’s Department of Materials worked with Sandon to embed its expertise in the surface engineering of advanced materials, like those used on the rolls and cylinders.  

Applying advanced materials expertise

Despite longevity in the market, traditional anilox rolls came with inherent problems and so the partnership set out to fix this. Working together, the team looked to improve the microstructure and mechanical properties of Sandon’s existing coating.

The result – a new coating that is more resistant to wear, eliminates any scoring issues and in turn enhances the quality and precision of printing for Sandon’s partners.

Transforming the market

Sandon has used the partnership to inject innovation into a market that has been largely stagnant for more than 30 years. This knowledge transfer has also presented Sandon with a new opportunity – to expand globally and take a new product line to market that offers a significantly enhanced performance.