Interview with Mr.Harmeet Singh Paintal, Managing Director, Westland Rubber
Westland Rubber Pvt Ltd is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high- quality rubber rollers, printing rollers, industrial rollers, and other customized rollers for a wide range of industries and it has been in the business for over four decades.
Print3: May we inquire further about Westland rubber?
Harmeet Singh Paintal : We appreciate the chance to present our company to you. WESTLAND was founded by experts with more than 30 years of experience in the printing roller industry. Our extensive knowledge and skills are accessible to all clients nationwide, backed by many years of expertise in rubber roller development. We have experienced consistent growth due to our dedication to providing exceptional quality service and technical support. By maintaining a strong focus on customer benefits, WESTLAND has established itself as a specialist.
We possess the solutions required for the demanding equipment of today’s high-speed press rooms. Our offerings include rubber rollers tailored for the offset printing sector, catering to hundreds of presses from prominent manufacturers.
“WESTLAND Rubber boasts more than 30 years of expertise in the roller industry. We began our journey as a rubber covering company, which has given us a deeper understanding of rubber, nitrile, and silicone than any other entity in the sector “
WESTLAND Rubber boasts over three decades of experience in the roller industry. We began as a rubber covering facility, which has given us a superior understanding of rubber, nitrile, and silicone compared to others in the field. Our facility is equipped with a variety of stripping, extruding, finishing, and grooving machinery, along with engineers who have extensive experience. Consequently, recovery projects are executed swiftly and professionally, while upholding exceptionally high quality standards.
P3 : What types of rollers do you produce for printing machines?
HSP : We produce a variety of rubber rollers for the printing industry, including inking rollers, fountain rollers, distribution rollers, and dampening rollers, compatible with all leading offset printing machines.
P3: Do you offer specially processed rubber rollers designed for conventional ink applications?
HSP : We have a product named PREMIER, which we manufacture specifically for Conventional Ink, IPA, and reduced IPA printing applications.
- It is optimal for high aging resistance, leading to an extended lifespan.
- It enables quick achievement of ink-water balance.
- It minimizes ink feedback and ensures stable dampening with reduced paper waste at the start of a print run.
- It exhibits excellent dimensional stability during high-speed operations, making it beneficial for wider and faster web / sheetfed machines.
Additionally, we offer ENDURA, another quality for Conventional Ink applications. It is a time-tested compound suitable for both sheetfed and narrow web operations. It is resistant to commonly available cleaning agents, making it easy to clean. It is highly durable. It possesses good tensile strength.
- It demonstrates great dimensional and hardness stability.
- It requires minimal time for setting and ensures stable print runs due to its superior ink and water transfer capabilities.
P3: Have you provided Combi rubber rollers for UV, Hybrid, and Conventional applications?
HSP : Yes. We are supplying the ULTIMA – COMBI ROLLER for UV, Hybrid, and Conventional Ink applications. It offers excellent coverage for the mixed use of IPA and Non-IPA dampening systems.
- Resistant to swelling and shrinkage from UV inks and chemicals
- Specially formulated compound for easy cleaning
- User-friendly operation
- Outstanding lifespan
NXG: Designed for the most demanding performance in UV and hybrid ink systems. Our top-tier product, NXG, excels in fulfilling the requirements of modern printing machines and systems. In addition to the features of our Ultima roller, the NXG enhances the printing process.
- Exceptional stability at higher speeds and with harsher chemicals
- Enhances image quality Remarkable resilience
- The roller’s surface remains unaffected for an extended period, resulting in an excellent lifespan.
VENTURA: Ventura is appropriate for all types of cold lamination and varnish rollers.
DIAMOND: Diamond is ideal for rider rollers used in all forms of ink transfer and mixing.
P3: What distinguishes Westland rollers from their competitors?
HSP : WRPL employs high-quality tools along with OEM specification drawings to assess core quality. Many of our competitors lack the capability to do this as they do not possess such roller specification drawings.
WRPL utilizes a specialized ring tool to strip old coverings from used rollers, followed by wire brushing. This method does not harm the steel core surface. In contrast, our competitors typically use a tool bit to remove the old rubber coverings, followed by a hand grinder to eliminate any remaining rubber on the steel core surface. This process often results in the removal of some steel from the core surface, reducing the core diameter. Over time, this leads to a thinner and weaker core.
As the roller coverings from competitors have a shorter lifespan, this accelerates damage to the core, necessitating the replacement of the core sooner. WRPL shot blasts the core surface while safeguarding the journal ends. This technique does not remove steel from the core surface but instead roughens it to promote effective bonding. Occasionally, our competitors employ a tool bit to create a spiral cut on the core surface. This practice does not yield a suitable bonding surface between the rubber and the steel core due to the resulting edged surface.
P3: Why are rollers considered an essential component of the offset printing machine?
HSP : The rollers are vital because they ensure a consistent transfer of ink and water at high speeds. To achieve this, the rollers must possess a perfectly even and round surface, along with a tight and uniform rubber surface roughness across the entire roller. This quality guarantees the transport of a stable quantity of ink and water. Consequently, the printer can attain higher production rates with improved and consistent print quality, ultimately leading to increased profitability.
Temperature expansion must be carefully managed, particularly in today’s rapidly advancing printing presses, as various rubber formulations and qualities expand differently when exposed to elevated temperatures. If a rubber roller expands excessively, the tensile strength of the rubber diminishes, resulting in increased surface pressure on the rubber, which raises the temperature and necessitates more power to operate the press. All these factors occur simultaneously. Therefore, it is imperative to maintain this crucial component from the roller’s production through to the printing process.
P3: What distinctive characteristics do your alcohol rollers possess, and what is their durability?
HSP : Operating at a reduced level of IPA (Isopropyl alcohol) results in cost savings for printers. The level of IPA influences the ink’s print density. Consequently, the lower the IPA level at which a printer operates, the less ink is consumed, and the greater the print contrast. Research indicates that prolonged exposure to elevated IPA levels in the atmosphere can result in memory impairment, raising health concerns. Thus, maintaining an IPA level below 5% ensures that the amount of IPA present in the air is minimal.
P3: What is the duration for which the Shore A hardness should remain stable in rubber rollers, considering the permissible variations for effective printing support?
HSP : Shore hardness quantifies the hardness of a material. There are two primary standards utilized for assessing roller shore hardness. Shore A, which is intended for softer materials, features a more rounded measuring needle, while Shore D, designed for harder materials, employs a sharper measuring needle. The key factor influencing roller shore hardness is the quantity of plasticiser, the sole liquid raw material, incorporated into the formulation of a rubber compound.
An increased amount of plasticiser results in softer rubber. Nevertheless, softer rubber tends to exhibit reduced chemical resistance against chemical compatibility attacks. WRPL rubber compounds are characterized by their exceptional chemical resistance, attributed to their intricate rubber formulation.
Typically, most rubber compounds produced by domestic manufacturers consist of only 6-7 raw materials, indicating a straightforward formulation. In contrast, WRPL develops compounds utilizing as many as 20 raw materials. This complexity in our rubber formulation enhances our ability to withstand chemical attacks more effectively than our competitors, thereby influencing the shore hardness.
P3: What advancements are occurring in the realm of offset printing technology in India?
HSP : 3D printers represent the forefront of printing technology. Although the two sectors do not directly compete, 3D printing opens avenues for aspiring professionals in the printing industry to seize new market opportunities and broaden their product range. Recent innovations in offset printing include waterless offset techniques, which minimize environmental impact by removing the necessity for dampening solutions.
By incorporating improvements in digital prepress technology, offset printing has enhanced its efficiency and speed, enabling it to produce even higher quality outputs at competitive rates. Offset printing continues to thrive and maintain its relevance due to its lower ink expenses and superior printing speeds when compared to digital printing options.
Nevertheless, the pace of change is quickening, similar to the trends observed in B3 offset printing. Digital printing is another significant advancement that has influenced the printing industry, offering greater speed and precision than many traditional methods. Furthermore, digital printing simplifies the process as it does not require print plates, unlike most other printing techniques.
P3 : I hope the Indian printing industry is thriving at present. What are your predictions for its future?
HSP : The printing sector in India has experienced remarkable growth, driven by technological innovations, which include: Computer-to-plate (CTP) technology – This advancement removes the necessity for film negatives, enhancing precision and decreasing production time. Additionally, it lowers costs and mitigates the environmental effects associated with film processing.
Automation and computerized controls – These innovations have boosted efficiency and minimized error margins. Enhanced inks and printing plates. New inks and printing plates have significantly improved color accuracy and print quality. Variable data printing – This technology facilitates the inclusion of personalized content in printed materials.
Eco-friendly inks and more efficient printing processes – These developments have contributed to a reduction in the environmental footprint of offset printing. Web-to-print technology – This system enables customers to explore products, specify their print orders, and receive real-time quotes. India boasts the highest number of printing presses globally. The printing industry in India has achieved unprecedented growth in recent years, attributed to technological advancements, globalization, and advancements in automation.
P3: What are your thoughts on the sustainability of paper and how can its effectiveness be enhanced?
HSP : The concept of paper sustainability revolves around producing paper in an environmentally responsible manner while conserving resources: Utilize sustainable materials: Paper can be manufactured from wood that is sourced sustainably, which aids in combating climate change. Other sustainable materials include coffee husks, banana fibers, and recycled cotton rags.
Minimize waste: Implement energy, water, and paper recycling technologies to lessen the environmental impact of production. Lower emissions: Adopt sustainable manufacturing methods to decrease emissions and lessen the environmental burden. Mitigate deforestation: Employ sustainable forest management techniques to curtail deforestation. Ensure safe working conditions: Guarantee that workers are protected in their work environments.
Produce safe products: Confirm that the products are safe for consumers. Individuals can also contribute to paper sustainability by reusing and recycling paper. Here are several strategies to minimize paper waste: Repurpose paper for packaging, note-taking, or crafting. Recycle paper in designated recycling bins. Utilize online programs and platforms to store and share notes across various devices.