Gravure Nip Mechanics.

Large forces are applied to the paper web at the gravure nip, the region where the paper is squeezed between the gravure cylinder and the rubber impression roll to effect ink transfer and propel the web through the press. A better understanding of the mechanics of the contact area between the metal gravure cylinder and the rubber covered impression roll is essential to the accomplishment of the objectives of press research at Gravure Research Institute - improvement of gravure press performance. This paper describes the experimental gravure unit and instrumentation developed by GRI for making gravure nip studies and presents some enlightening experimental findings in regard to relative speed and force distributions in the gravure nip as well as the significance of these findings.