# US 2018/0022083 A1 · Doctor Beam

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- Number: US 2018/0022083 A1
- Document ID: US20180022083A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/548,435
- Filed: 2016-02-03
- Published: 2018-01-25
- Earliest claimed: 2015-02-04
- Assignees: Tresu A/S
- Applicants: Tresu A/S
- Inventors: Steffan Ellef Riemandsgaard Warming-Rasmussen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180022083A1

## CPC

- B41F 31/04: with duct-blades or like metering devices
- B41F 31/027: {Ink rail devices for inking ink rollers}
- C25D 11/024: {Anodisation under pulsed or modulated current or potential}
- C25D 11/026: {Anodisation with spark discharge}
- C25D 11/04: of aluminium or alloys based thereon
- C25D 11/24: Chemical after-treatment
- C25D 11/30: of magnesium or alloys based thereon
- B41P 2200/12: Flexographic printing
- C25D 11/26: of refractory metals or alloys based thereon
- B41F: PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES (manifolding devices or office printing machines B41L)
- C25D: PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- B41P: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO PRINTING, LINING MACHINES, TYPEWRITERS, AND TO STAMPS

## Abstract

A doctor beam for use in a printing unit, e.g. a flexographic printing unit, wherein the doctor beam has a front side with a U-shaped channel, wherein the doctor beam is made of metal and includes a surface coating produced by Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO), the surface coating at least covering the U-shaped channel, and wherein the doctor beam further includes a non-stick ceramic coating, whereby is achieved the possibility of using metal for making doctor beams without risking their degrading, neither due to chemical impact of the applied inks/lacquers/primers nor due to the destruction of the surface coating by cleaning liquids. The invention also concerns a method for treating the surface of a doctor beam and use of a doctor beam.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A doctor beam for use in a printing unit, e.g. a flexographic printing unit, wherein the doctor beam has a front side with a U-shaped channel, wherein the doctor beam is made of metal and includes a surface coating produced by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), where the surface coating at least covers the U-shaped channel, and where the doctor beam further includes a non-stick ceramic coating at least covering the U-shaped channel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A doctor beam according to claim 1, wherein the doctor beam is made of aluminium.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A doctor beam according to claim 1, wherein the surface coating produced by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) has a thickness between 5 and 50 μm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A doctor beam according to claim 1, wherein the surface coating produced by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) covers the entire doctor beam.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A doctor beam according to claim 1, wherein the ceramic coating has a thickness between 30 and 50 μm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A doctor beam according to claim 1, wherein the ceramic coating covers the entire surface of the doctor beam.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A method for surface treatment of a doctor beam according to claim 1 for use in a printing unit, e.g. a flexographic printing unit, wherein the method includes at least the following steps:
A: the doctor beam is laid into an aqueous electrolyte; and
B: a pulsating bipolar electric current is conducted through the electrolyte.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

A method for surface treatment of a doctor blade according to claim 7, wherein the method further includes at least the following steps:
C: a coating is applied the surface of the doctor beam; and
D: the coating is cured at 250° C.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

Use of a doctor beam according to claim 1 for use in a printing unit, e.g. a flexographic printing unit.