Doctor blades are a critical element of the flexographic print process, according to better than 96 percent of printers responding to FLEXO Magazine’s doctor blade flash poll. Nearly two-thirds of the sample—64 percent—believe their plant succeeds in getting maximum value from all doctor blades utilized, but 36 percent identify room for improvement in this arena.
With 15 percent of Flexographic Technical Association printer members electing to participate, the doctor blade flash poll results reveal 75 percent of printers hold doctor blade consumption patterns meet expectations, yet 25 percent believe blade inventories should last longer than they presently do. Interestingly, 54 percent rate their plant’s compliance with best principles and practices as “average,” 43 percent say, “above average” and 4 percent see it as “exceptional.”
What Doctor Blade Materials Are Utilized?
[infogram id=”june_2017_doctor_blades_flash_poll_chart_1″ prefix=”0Hs”]Twenty-one percent of poll respondents indicate they presently utilize both chambered doctor blades and single blade holders. Findings confirm chambered blades are far more dominant, with 55 percent of the survey takers preferring that option to 24.5 percent who favor single blade holders.